Todd targets link-up with local rivals

Whitehaven chairman Tommy Todd is seeking closer cooperation between rugby league’s four most northerly clubs.

Todd feels Whitehaven, Newcastle, Barrow and Workington Town should discuss ways of working together to benefit the quartet.

“Perhap the time has come for us four outpost clubs to try and work together on a range of projects that can be mutually beneficial,” Todd told the News and Star.

“Personally, I would like to see the revival of the Cumbria Cup which was a great pre-season competition. All games were derbies, played in a great competitive spirit and the competition attracted great crowds.

“I would also like to see the revival of the Cumbria committee, which used to do so much good work until the powers that be decided that county rugby was not for them, such a shame.

“I am sure that there are many ways we could explore how to help each other.”

All four clubs compete in League One where attendances have plummeted this season. Only 425 people watched Whitehaven’s 34-20 victory over Newcastle on Sunday and Todd admitted he’s frustrated at the dwindling numbers.

“We had a splendid victory at Hunslet and then consolidated our position of third in the table with a win on Sunday over Newcastle,” Todd added.

“Victory, however, does come at a significant cost to the club and sadly at the moment the old adage of ‘get a winning team and the fans will come’ does not appear to be materialising through the turnstiles.”