Whitehaven have appointed a new commercial manager – who just happens to already be a fan of the club.

Tracy McCann is a regular at the Recreation Ground with her husband who is a season ticket holder. She has been appointed to one of the key roles at the club and has been getting her feet under the table this week.

“Most of my working life has been spent locally in the retail trade, so this is a different challenge for me but one I’m really looking forward to,” she said.

“We want to make the Recreation Ground more than a match-day experience and, with a bar re-vamp coming soon, it’s going to be an enjoyable place to visit. I’ve already got a number of ideas formulated for various regular events at the ground, while I will be working on building-up the lottery draws we already run.”

Whitehaven chairman Tommy Todd said: “I think everyone realises how important the commercial manager’s role is with professional sports clubs, and it’s especially vital with us as we rebuild.

“Tracy accepts it will be a challenge but is determined to make her mark and we are looking forward to progress under her guidance.”

Whitehaven are making positive strides now after the trauma of last season when Todd admits they could have gone out of business. The appointment of a commercial manager is another important piece of the jigsaw.

Todd said: “Everything at the moment is very positive and we are all looking forward to the start of a new season.

“But while the work of the directors and the commercial manager are all important, the main ingredient for a successful club is improved numbers through the gates on matchdays. That’s what we will be looking at, raising our attendance levels week by week.

“It’s so much easier when the crowd figures are healthy.”