Billy Barr's staying at the Reds until 2029, and his backroom team's signed up too Workington AFC manager Billy Barr signs a new deal to stay until 2029
Marra Mode is how we'd tell you this in the Co-op. Switch it off for the straight version.
Billy Barr has signed two more years with Workington, so he's here till May 2029. His assistant Lee Andrews, keeper coach Billy Redden and physio Caitlin Gribbin are staying as well.
This one's for Reds fans, and anybody who's been fretting that someone would come and nick our manager.
Workington AFC said on Friday 23 October that Billy Barr has signed a two-year extension, so he's staying until May 2029. Barr used to coach at Carlisle United and took over at Borough Park on 4 November 2025 after Darren Edmondson, on a deal that was meant to run to the end of the 2026/27 season.
It's not just him either. Assistant manager Lee Andrews, goalkeeping coach Billy Redden and physio Caitlin Gribbin have all signed up too, so the whole backroom team stays together.
The club said: "With the club looking ahead to its return to our new facility, the Board is determined to establish strong foundations and long-term stability throughout Workington AFC." That new facility is part of the Cumberland Sports Village going up in Workington.
Cumbria Crack said fans had been worried he'd get poached, with manager jobs going recently at Hyde, Bamber Bridge and Darlington.
It's good timing, coming right before Saturday's FA Trophy first round game at home to Cleethorpes Town, 3pm at the Fibrus Community Stadium, if the weather lets it go ahead. The two sides drew 1-1 in the league three weeks back, and if it's level after 90 minutes it goes straight to penalties. Winners get £3,000, losers £775. The Reds won 2-1 at Bamber Bridge last week even with the injury list as long as your arm, and on-loan Morecambe defender Adam Fairclough would be the 30th different player on the team sheet this season.
What you can do: Storm Boelo's coming in on Saturday, so check the club's website or social pages before you head down for the Cleethorpes game, just in case anything changes.
Workington AFC manager Billy Barr has agreed a two-year contract extension that keeps him at the club until May 2029. Assistant Lee Andrews, goalkeeping coach Billy Redden and physio Caitlin Gribbin have also committed their futures.
This is for Workington AFC supporters, and anyone who has wondered whether the Reds could keep hold of their manager.
The club announced on Friday 23 October that first team manager Billy Barr has agreed a two-year contract extension, keeping him at Workington until May 2029. Barr, a former Carlisle United coach, was appointed on 4 November 2025 to replace Darren Edmondson, on a deal that was due to run until the end of the 2026/27 season.
His backroom staff are staying too. The club says assistant manager Lee Andrews, goalkeeping coach Billy Redden and physio Caitlin Gribbin have all committed their futures, so the whole first team set-up stays together.
In its statement the club said: "With the club looking ahead to its return to our new facility, the Board is determined to establish strong foundations and long-term stability throughout Workington AFC." The new facility is part of the Cumberland Sports Village being built in Workington.
Cumbria Crack reported that fans had been worried Barr might be tempted away, with recent managerial vacancies at Hyde, Bamber Bridge and Darlington.
The news comes before Saturday's FA Trophy first round tie at home to Cleethorpes Town, kicking off at 3pm at the Fibrus Community Stadium, weather permitting. The sides drew 1-1 in the league three weeks ago, and if it is level after 90 minutes the tie goes to penalties. The winners get £3,000 and the losers £775. Workington won 2-1 at Bamber Bridge last weekend despite an injury crisis that has meant 30 different players on the team sheet this season once on-loan Morecambe defender Adam Fairclough plays.
What you can do: with Storm Boelo arriving on Saturday, check Workington AFC's website or social media before you set off for the Cleethorpes game in case of any late change.