Workington Town will walk out wearing black armbands for their Cumbrian derby clash on Sunday - in memory of Gabe Fell’s father.

The talented player lost his father in tragic circumstances recently when he died in an accident.

And everyone involved at the club wanted to pay their respects as they take to the field against Barrow at Derwent Park on Sunday, ko 2pm.

A statement from Workington Town said: “It is with great sadness that we learned last week of the passing of Gabe Fell’s father David in a tragic accident.

“We have been supporting and sending our thoughts and prayer to Gabe and his family over the horrendous last few days.

“We will be wearing black armbands this Sunday in memory of, and as a tribute to, a beloved family man.

“We send love to our friend and team-mate Gabe and his family and we are there for him now and forever.”

Gabe’s father David Fell, himself a former rugby league star with Salford and Rochdale, died last Thursday after getting into difficult in the water at Reighton Sands in Filey.

Tributes have poured in for Mr Fell from across the rugby league community, with aSalford spokesman sending the club’s sympathies to the family.

Mr Fell played for Salford in the 1980 and 90s. Salford director of rugby and operations, Ian Blease, played alongside David at Salford.

He told the club website: “David was a great guy, and a really talented rugby player. He was one of a group of highly talented rugby union converts from Orrell, including Peter Williams and John Gilfillan, who all signed at pretty much the same time as each other and did much to boost the team here at Salford.

“David was the sort of person who fitted in so well with the group of players here, and we all became an especially close-knit team, so much so that we have kept in touch with one another over the years, and more recently have had our own WhatsApp group, of which David was an instrumental part.

“All of us are absolutely devastated about the news and what has happened to our friend and former teammate. Steve Gibson, in Australia, for example, was up throughout the night, expressing his grief.

“Our grief, we realise however, is nothing like that which his family must be going through, and we want them to know that they are in the thoughts of everyone here at Salford, and our sympathy and condolences go out to them, especially.”