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 DAVE£ Rotheram (pictured) will take charge of Workington Town for the last time tomorrow in the Championship One game at York City Knights.
Two former Town players – Martin Oglanby and Gary Charlton –have been asked to take charge of the last five matches after the trip to the Huntington Stadium.
In an official Town statement, the club said: “Current coach Dave Rotherham will be leaving to pursue other career opportunities.”
A former school teacher, he is keen to remain in the sport, but is also looking at posts in education.
A third ex-Workington player Jonty Gorley is returning to Derwent Park to coach the club’s U’15’s expanded scholarship scheme which will now develop to 24 players. Gorley had recently been named among a new coaching team at the Ellenborough amateur club.
Chairman Dave Bowden told the official Town website: “This is something we’ve been working on at the club for some time. Dave Rotheram and I have openly discussed where we both see our respective futures heading and we are agreed this is a logical step.
“It will enable the new coaching team to have a real look at the set up and more importantly give them the authority to begin recruitment now as we move into the final games and to prepare for next season”
The Town Chairman immediately praised Rotheram saying “Of course results haven’t gone anywhere near expectation, but in fairness there isn’t a club in any league would not be suffering if it removed six key players from its squad.
“Dave has never been anything less than professional and supportive in difficult circumstances and his work behind the scenes has left us a legacy to build upon”.
“I know he has some interesting propositions in the pipeline and we don’t want to stand in the way of those possibilities. “
Speaking about the appointment of Charlton and Oglanby he added. “We have followed both Martin and Gary with interest. In discussions it is clear to see how well they work together, they have done so as joint county coaches, with both recognising each others strengths. I think we all agree it is time for them to move to the next level and we are delighted to give Martin and Gary that opportunity.”
Martin Oglanby joined Workington as a professional in 1990 after returning from the Great Britain Barla tour of Samoa. With Ray Ashton as coach it was the beginning of a renaissance in Town’s fortunes. He played in the Premiership Finals in 1993 and in 1994 under Peter Walsh, forming a close friendship that exists to this day.
He won the coveted Man of Steel Trophy in 1994 before a shoulder injury prevented him from playing for Town in the first Super League Season. He has coached at Aspatria ,Glasson and Maryport as well as the County side winning the Championship in 2008. At national level he was the assistant coach of the Great Britain U’21 team in 2008 and has just returned from the Ukraine as assistant coach of the GB U’23 side.
He told the Town website: “It’s a great honour to coach this club and I grabbed it with both hands. Of course it is a huge challenge but we are looking forward to getting started and our first training sessions”
Gary Charlton, was a product of the Kells club right through to Under 19’s where he eventually played for Barla Great Britain under 19’s. He started his pro career at 20 years old with Australian side Gold Coast Giants.
After a stint at Hull K.R. he played for Carlisle, Whitehaven and Barrow before finishing his career at Town. He has also coached at amateur level with Egremont before also coaching at National level with the BARLA U 21’s. He has just returned from the BARLA open age tour of the South Pacific.
He follows in the footsteps of his father Paul, a true rugby league legend and also coach of Town.
He said: “It really is the next progression for both Martin and I. We will give local players the opportunity to play professional rugby league. I suppose it is true that although we have a great partnership we are very different.
“Martin is more of a thinker and I suspect I’ll be more of a motivator. We have built a good understanding of what’s needed over the years and we agree on how a team should play the game and conduct itself. I’m sure we can get the effort and style of play that will encourage the fans to come back.”
Gorley also joins the coaching set up as coach of the expanded Under 15’s “Trailblazer” scheme. The club player pathway is essential to the success of Workington Town, and the club is to accelerate the momentum of young talented players to progress and develop within the club’s structures.
Continuing on the Town website chairman Bowden said: “This is another crucial cog in the development of the club which will be developing a more local focus. Jonty is widely respected and has coached at County level and was the GB U’21’s coach in 2004/2005.
“I know he has enjoyed working with the Allerdale service area U’15’s.”
Gorley said: “The skill sets of some of these lads are obvious. I get a real buzz working with such an enthusiastic bunch of players. They are as keen as mustard, and to be influential in their future and the clubs player pathway was an opportunity I could not turn down.”
Rotheram is preparing to lead Ypwn for the last time when he takes his squad to York and is to include prop John Cox on trial.
Vox has played for Scotland A, and turned out for Town's reserve team last year and at 20 stone brings some much needed bulk to the Town pack.
He played professional RU for Rotherham Titans, and for one of the Scottish provincial teams where he was regarded as an exciting prospect.
Town from: Carter, Wilson, Beattie, Mossop, Marshall, Burgess, Frodsham, Stack, King, Coward, Coupar, Whitehead, Farrimond, Robinson, Pedley, Dobson, Cox.
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