New hospitality suite will cater for Legends at promoted rugby league club

CLUB members, disabled fans and former players will be treated like Legends when they go to watch their beloved rugby league club from now on.

Workington Town, who recently secured promotion to the Betfred Championship, have enhanced the hospitality facilities at their Derwent Park stadium by creating the Legends Lounge with the support of local company Ghyll House Upholstery.

Ghyll House provided luxury bench seating for the new hospitality suite free of charge, with the club returning the gesture by giving the interior specialists a complementary banner at Derwent Park.

The Legends Lounge was trialled at Town’s vital 36-12 victory over Doncaster in Sunday’s League One Play-Off game, and will be fully operational in time for next season. The suite will host former players and club members, as well as improved facilities and access for disabled fans.

Graeme Peers, the Workington Town director responsible for community liaison and sponsorship, said: “The idea for the Legends Lounge all started when we wanted to provide an improved space for our disabled fans where they could come to a friendly area, have a drink and enjoy the match.

“From there, the idea spiralled into welcoming back legends of the club who could meet up together and chat about their playing days, while also giving club members who pay that extra fee each month additional privileges for their support.

“We have got the Gus Risman bar and the Tom Mitchell sponsors’ lounge as the main bar where fans can still congregate, but we needed extra space to provide further hospitality.

“We spoke to the team at Ghyll House Upholstery, and they were very keen to get involved and help create a facility which will be a big boost for Workington Town as we aim to continue our expansion.

“The Legends Lounge is a friendly, welcoming area which looks fantastic, and we can also use it for functions to generate more funds for the club. We’re grateful for the support of Ghyll House as this area will be a huge benefit to a community club such as Workington Town.”

Joe McAlpine, General Manager of Ghyll House Upholstery, which is based at Mealsgate, near Cockermouth, Cumbria, said the team didn’t hesitate to offer its services when it was approached by Workington Town.

He said: “It’s important that we support organisations such as this within the community.

“The club has some big ambitions and is a vital community asset for so many local people. Helping them to create this new, excellent hospitality space is a good way of us giving something back to the community.

“We are delighted to have been able to help the club out with its plans to progress, and are pleased the Legends Lounge has received such great feedback from club members and supporters.”

In addition to using the Legends Lounge for matchday hospitality and functions, Workington Town are in discussions to host walk and talk activities and other similar community events from the new suite.

More than 2,000 spectators were present at Derwent Park to watch Workington Town seal their Championship place on Sunday.