GETTING to the start line was Whitehaven’s priority for 2025, but for 2026 there’s much more optimism at The Ortus Rec.
Anthony Murray has kept faith with the large majority of the locally recruited team he put together last season.
The fixture format means they do not play any side that finished in the Championship play-offs last season, and have the prospect of four Cumbrian derbies to really make the most of the local feel-good factor.
They will represent something of an unknown to some of their less familiar opponents in 2026, and Whitehaven’s season may well depend on whether certain members of Murray’s squad punch above their weight.
Another key factor is Whitehaven have committed to two-year deals to a large number of their squad, meaning focus and no distractions over contract talks.
Whether they can find the required experience in the loan market to fit around their own players remains to be seen.
The return to full fitness of club captain Jordan Burns following his horror facial injury last season is a boost.
One to watch
The 2023 League One Young Player of the Year Ciaran Walker has reunited with his former coach Anthony Murray by swapping Workington for Whitehaven.
The half-back was mostly playing in the community game with Seaton Rangers last season, and while he is still only 22, he could offer a lot to guiding Haven around the park in 2026.
He scored 217 points, including 11 tries, in 20 appearances for Workington Town in that notable 2023 campaign.
Squad: 1 Jordan Burns, 2 Mitchell Todd, 3 Chris Taylor, 4 Ethan Bickerdike, 5 Jay Weatherill, 6 Ciaran Walker, 7 Jack Newbegin, 8 Jake Pearce, 9 Ellison Holgate, 10 Jordan Thomson, 11 Connor Holliday, 12 Rio McQuistan, 13 Jack Kellett, 14 Josh Blinkhorn, 15 Ellis Nixon, 16 Brad Brennan, 17 Aaron Turnbull, 18 Cole Walker-Taylor, 19 Dave Eccleston, 20 Marc Shackley, 21 Joe Lowe, 22 Brett Bailey, 23 Ben Pearce, 24 Lewis Brown, 31 Xenden Callander, 35 Jackson Smith
Ins: Ciaran Walker (Workington), Joe Lowe (Rochdale), Cole Walker-Taylor (Workington), Marc Shackley (unattached), Dave Eccleston (Workington), Brett Bailey (Widnes), Ben Pearce (Hensingham), Lewis Brown (Seaton), Xenden Callander (Lowca), Jackson Smith (Hensingham)
Outs: Clarke Chambers, Karl Garner (both released)