Jamie Thackray extends Workington Town contract

Jamie Thackray has extending his contract with Workington Town into 2013.

Thackray joined Workington from Barrow last season. The former Super League and Great Britain international has played for Hull FC, Leeds and Crusaders, as well as several teams in the Championships.

He made his Great Britain debut against Australia in the 2005 Tri Nations.

Workington chairman Dave Bowden said: “Jamie was keen to get his future sorted. He is enjoying his rugby here and has become a real fans favourite.

“His contribution this year is one of the reasons we are going so well. We are all delighted to have a player of his calibre so keen to be part of what we are trying to achieve.

“There is some real interest from players wishing to join the club, but we believe we have some outstanding local players too and our priority will be to secure them first for what we hope will be Championship rugby next year.”

Workington are seven points above fourth placed Whitehaven in Championship 1. The league’s top four teams will gain automatic promotion as part of a Championship overhaul which involves four new clubs joining Championship 1 next season, and the Championship being extended to 14 teams.