By Martin Morgan

Last updated at 16:58, Wednesday, 01 December 2010

WHITEHAVEN will travel to Oldham for a New Year friendly, when the Seat Trophy will be on the line.

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The clubs first contested the trophy in 2003, and for the first time Haven will not have home advantage for the Sunday, January 23 game.

“Oldham have been good enough to come up here on every previous occasion, and while we would obviously have preferred to play at Whitehaven, this time they would like it played down there,” Haven general manager Barry Richardson said.

“We felt that to be appropriate. The club has had a really strong relationship with Oldham in the past, and in particular with chairman Chris Hamilton, and this game will build on that.

“It’s very positive to have such a good relationship, and this match is also a good opportunity to get some game time under our belts before the start of the Northern Rail Cup.”

Haven will put their unbeaten Seat Trophy record on the line against the Roughyeds. The match will hand coach David Seeds his second chance to look at his new squad, following the Boxing Day visit of Workington Town.

“David was keen for us to arrange more friendlies, and we are now looking for just one more,” Richardson added. “We are negotiating over that at the moment.”

Seat, through B&H Motors, of Whitehaven, and David Cook, of Oldham, have sponsored the trophy since its inception.

“It’s good that local businesses such as Ron Batty and B&H Motors are prepared to get behind the club,” Richardson continued. “They have a strong tradition of backing the club and it’s greatly appreciated.”

Oldham generously offered to make a midweek trip to the Recre in January this year for veteran Howard Hill’s testimonial game, after the original Sunday fixture fell victim to frost.

Ex-Haven favourites David Fatialofa and Aaron Lester turned out and the hosts won 40-20.

Their next clash will have added significance as Haven will be able to assess one of their likely major league rivals, following relegation to Championship One.

Richardson is satisfied with Haven’s fixture list, revealed on Monday.

He said: “It has been fairly kind to us with Workington our first game at home in the Northern Rail Cup, and our first league game is also at home, to Rochdale.

“It will be tough for us to progress in the Northern Rail as every fixture is difficult, but with home games against Workington and Halifax, it should be really enjoyable for the fans.”

Meanwhile, Haven’s new strip for next season, pictured left, is on the way. Priced at £40 for adults and £30 for youngsters, it is hoped to have the kit available from Unique Sports at some point next week, weather-permitting.

Gary Hewer has taken a coaching role with Whitehaven. A prime mover of the club’s successful youth programme as head of performance and player development, he has joined Les Ashe as an assistant to Seeds.

Hewer is no stranger to the dugout, having previously coached England Under-15s, and he is also in charge of Cumberland League side Distington.

And with the club now adjusting to life in the sport’s third tier and emerging from administration, he was happy to add a new role.

“We have coaches who have come back on reduced contracts, and they all want to be part of this club,” Hewer said.

“We have a budget and are working to it. There’s a realisation that this is a part-time sport, and we no longer have a full-time coach.

“David Seeds also works full-time and has a young family. He has the final say, but we are all in it together as coaches.

“Working together we can make a difference. The club’s been to the brink and come back. We’re all positive and we hope fans are the same.”

Haven’s coaches are working towards prestigious level three national qualifications, and Hewer hopes to achieve his award early next year.

200 Club winners

£500 - J Hewer; £200 - R West; £50 each - D Rogan, E Spedding, G Scurr, B Rogers, V Myers, E Smitham.

Last week’s Pride of Five £100 winners were: S Stainton, of Cleator Moor, with ticket number 2,484; P Shepherd, Whitehaven, 104; B Spedding, Kells, 1,887; R Gate, Gosforth, 52; DS Pennington, Seascale, 719.

The previous week’s winners were: W Farrer, 2,941; L Reed, 122; Mr Lannaghan, 1,370; C Shaw, 1,321; P Garraway, 1,450.

First published at 15:50, Wednesday, 01 December 2010
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk