WORKINGTON Reds Ladies FC have announced they have requested agreement from the Cumberland FA to change their name for next season to Workington Town Women FC.

The club must first gain acceptance from the CFA, then approval from the North West Women’s Regional League Committee, prior to FA consideration.

An additional proposal includes altering the team's colours to white and blue and will play under the umbrella of Workington Town RLFC; carrying their badge.    

The change has stemmed from the close working relationship between the two clubs over the last 18 month. The ladies team play at the Fibrus Community Stadium, and additional support in developing the organisation was offered by RLFC, but the ladies team, until now, retained their Reds identity.

Attendance at the Ladies football games has increased, along with interactions with junior footballers, which the club attribute in part to the regular access to the Fibrus stadium. It has also proven instrumental in securing more curtain raiser games for local youth teams.

This development has nurtured long-term bonds between current Ladies' players and upcoming footballing talents in the community.

The financial position of the Women’s Football Club, which has been financially independent since it started in 2012, has also improved due to the relationship between Workington Town RLFC and other new community partners. 

The triumphs of the last year and a half, contrast the initial stages of the club, despite geographical constraints and financial hurdles, the women's football scene in the region is flourishing.

The club's statement read: "There has never been a better opportunity to act as a community to support and facilitate the sustainable growth of football for female footballers. For the first time in the history of women’s football there is a clear pathway to a professional career in our sport for our girls to pursue. Not just on the field but in coaching, refereeing and commentating barriers are also being broken through at the top levels."

"We feel compelled to act in the best interests of our existing players and our children to ensure our region continues to offer the highest level of opportunities to participate in the game we love for years to come."
 
 If all goes to plan, the rebranding and relaunch of the club will take place during the summer months which should align with the launch of a new Development Team, which will represent the rebranded club in the Lancashire Women’s League. 

A spokesperson from the Workington Reds Ladies commented: “This is a fantastic opportunity and one that we must follow if we want to build for future success and growth of the game that we are all extremely passionate about"

"We appreciate that the move may well divide opinion, change often does, but as an organisation we are fully behind the rebranding and are really excited about moving forward under the support and guidance of an organisation that wants to see all sports in the community prospering, be that male or female participants. Working under the umbrella of Workington Town will allow us to remain independent in all aspects of how we operate on a day to day basis, however the association and bond with Workington Town offers great support and guidance which we all fully appreciate.”