The historic ground is set to be replaced. (Image: Cumberland Sports Village and Workington FC)
A historic ground where the legendary Bill Shankly once prowled the touchline is set to be demolished and replaced by a brand-new £16million stadium. The iconic manager led Workington between January 1954 and November 1955 before taking charge of Huddersfield Town and, most famously, Liverpool.
Borough Park, now 89 years old, is to be replaced on its existing site by the new multi-purpose Cumberland Sports Village, which will serve as the home ground for both Workington football club and the town’s rugby league side. Originally projected to cost £12m and accommodate 3,700 spectators, a Wednesday announcement confirmed that capacity has been boosted to 5,000 following the project securing an additional £4.5m in funding.
The new venue will also feature a sports bar, an external fan zone, a media suite and four new changing rooms.
The project will be overseen by Labour-led Cumberland Council. “The Cumberland Sports Village project presents a fantastic opportunity to create a modern, fit-for-purpose stadium facility for both Workington AFC and Workington Town RLFC,” said council leader Mark Fryer.
“As well as sport, the stadium would also act as a focal point for both the community and businesses within the area. An improved hospitality offer means the stadium could also be used for meetings, conferences, functions, events and community activities.”
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Borough Park accommodated 3,101 spectators, of whom 500 were seated. Throughout the stadium’s redevelopment, Workington will stage their home fixtures at the adjacent rugby venue Derwent Park.
Billy Barr’s team played their final ever match at Borough Park in April before a packed crowd of 2,387, with numerous club legends participating in the poignant send-off.
The previous weekend, Workington had secured their Northern Premier League Premier Division survival for a third consecutive season following a remarkable resurgence.
Cumberland Sports Village will replace the historic ground. (Image: Cumberland Council)
Reds claimed seven victories from their closing 13 fixtures to climb from the foot of the table and finish a single point clear of the drop zone.
Barr, 57, was appointed in November, embarking on his maiden head coach position after spells at clubs including Sheffield Wednesday, Preston North End and Blackburn Rovers following his playing days.
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The former Halifax Town full-back occupied the same position Shankly once held, with the future Liverpool manager establishing his reputation in the dugout. At that time, they competed in the old Third Division North of the Football League.
Workington’s club historian, Steve Durham, told the Times and Star in 2021: “He was an inspirational leader but always treated people as equals and his motivational methods always got the best response from players.
“The club was at a low ebb when he arrived but there was all round improvement, on and off the pitch, during his time in the town (Shankly lived on Harrington Road).
“I had the pleasure of meeting him when he returned to the club in 1980 and it was a proud moment for me, obviously, but he was so humble and equally proud of the fact that the club hadn’t forgotten his time at the club.”