09-05-2025
Edmondson returns to Workington Reds as manager
Darren Edmondson has returned to Workington Reds as their new manager.
The Borough Park club have announced that the 53-year-old has joined for a second spell in charge.
Edmondson has left Penrith in order to become Mark Fell's successor at Workington.
He has been joined by his assistant Richard Prokas, and the duo will work with existing coaches Brian Dawson and Billy Redden, who were in caretaker charge for the last three games of the season after Fell's departure.
Edmondson was previously in charge at Workington from 2007 to 2013, becoming the club's longest-serving manager in the process.
The club said they are delighted to have secured his return.
"Darren was high on our list of targets as we looked to fill the vacant position," Reds said in a statement.
"He fits our club profile perfectly and his links within the county and beyond will bring footballing benefits across the whole club.
Richard Prokas has also joined Workington as assistant manager (Image: Barbara Abbott)
"On top of that of course he was our longest serving manager in his previous spell with the club.
Darren will bring with him Richard Prokas who was his assistant at Penrith and they will work alongside Brian Dawson and Billy Redden to prepare the squad for the new NPL season."
Workington vice-chairman Richard Lewthwaite added: "We are delighted to have got Darren and Richard into the club.
They share our ambition and desire to continue to climb the pyramid whilst maintaining the club in a position of stability and sustainability.
"Our aim is nothing less than continued progression and building on the foundations that have been laid over the past few seasons."
Edmondson will take the helm after Workington finished 12th in the Northern Premier League Premier Division in 2024/25.
The Reds were in a fight for survival in the closing weeks before Redden and Dawson guided them over the line, with Workington then shooting up the table on goal difference on the final day.
The news leaves Northern League Division One club Penrith seeking a new boss after three years under Edmondson.
They finished 17th in the table last season as well as reaching the Fred Conway Cumberland Cup final, losing 1-0 to Carlisle City.
Former Carlisle United, York City and Huddersfield Town player Edmondson's return to Reds is the latest step in a managerial career which has also seen spells at Barrow and Bradford Park Avenue.
He also runs the Cumbria Institute of Sport at Newton Rigg near Penrith.
