WHITEHAVEN coach James Newton has been hailed by halfback Ciaran Walker as the Cumbrian club aim to build on the foundations laid this year.
County product Walker, 23, makes no bones about his admiration for Newton’s predecessor Anthony Murray – and admits he had concerns when he left the Ortus REC in early March, later taking over at second-tier rivals Swinton.
Walker, after all, enjoyed a break-out 2023 season under Murray at Whitehaven’s neighbours and arch-rivals Workington, earning the League One Young Player of the Year award.
And the former Seaton Rangers star once again linked up with the experienced team chief when he signed for Whitehaven a year ago (Murray had taken the reins twelve months earlier).
“We had just picked up our first win of the season (at home to Rochdale in league match number five),” recalled Walker of Murray’s departure due to increased work and family commitments, leaving former club hooker Newton, who was one of his assistants, to step up, initially in the interim.
“Muzza told us he was leaving, and it was tough because he had been so good for me. I didn’t know how it would affect things.
“But Newts took over and soon made a good impression. He’s been great for both me and the club.”
Whitehaven, who were 17th when Murray moved away, finished ninth and so made the play-offs, and Walker told the Beyond Super League podcast: “We have that ambition to go further next time around.”
Newton is urging the Whitehaven public to get behind the club, saying: “There’s some really positive stuff happening with the pathways system we are working on and the new ladies team.
“I know the stalwarts are all over it, but let’s get some new faces down too, because that helps us build even more.”
