Gary Charlton has been unveiled as the new man in the Recreation ground hot seat – where he will be assisted by Jonty Gorley and Scott McAvoy.

The new Whitehaven boss is one of a handful of players to have featured for all four Cumbrian teams in his playing days, and has previously held the reins at Derwent Park, alongside Martin Oglanby.

Haven chairman Tom Todd said he was delighted Charlton had come on board and he was looking forward to working with him.

“For me he was the stand-out candidate,” said Todd. “He will bring a no-nonsense approach to the club, which is good.

“And obviously his pedigree is rugby league is excellent. He did a good job at Workington Town and he is well known and respected in the amateur game.

“We hope that he can help us build bridges with the amateur clubs.

“His dad was one of the finest Cumbrians ever to pull on a rugby jersey – Paul Charlton was rugby royalty so Gary has been brought up with the game.

“We are all looking forward to him coming down and putting his imprint on the club.

“And the fact that he knows times are hard but he is still willing to take the job on, knowing that we are not flush with money, says a lot about the man.”