Whitehaven fans will have the chance to meet their heroes on the eve of Sunday’s derby clash with Workington Town.

The club’s launch night tomorrow is to release squad numbers for the 2019 League One season and unveil the new home shirt.

There will also be the chance to quiz coach Gary Charlton and his squad about Whitehaven’s prospects for the league campaign which gets underway on February 17.

Director Andrew Canavan said: “It should be a good night, and we are all looking forward to the new season.

“We are in a better position than we were last season although obviously there is still a lot of work to be done. I am one of three new directors so there’s more of us to spread the load.

“I think we are pleased with the progress we’ve made after coming out of special measures and believe we have put together a competitive squad. We have a new website shortly to be launched and a number of ideas in the pipeline which we hope to introduce over the coming weeks.”

The opening warm-up game ahead of the league season is being staged at Workington’s Derwent Park on Sunday in the Ike Southward Memorial Trophy clash.

Coach Gary Charlton said: “There are a number of new faces for the fans to meet and get to know. By the way they have been training in the build up to the season I‘m sure the fans are going to enjoy seeing them out on the field.

“I’ve really been pleased how everyone in the squad has knuckled down and got stuck into the pre-season work. I reckon by February 17 we should be firing on all cylinders.”

Charlton is happy with the squad of 22 he has assembled for pre-season but says there might be one, or maybe two, additions before the league programme gets underway. A local trialist who has been training with the club is likely to get a run out against Town.

The launch night is being held in the JJ McKeown Bar at the Recreation Ground, 5pm start.