Workington Town skipper Ollie Wilkes is calling on everyone to pull together and support the team after this week’s shock events at Derwent Park.

The club parted company with head coach Leon Pryce on Tuesday and days later the ladies committee also folded after members stood down.

But Wilkes, who is stepping up to help the existing coaching staff prepare for Sunday’s trip to Keighley, says it has to be business as usual for the team, despite the rocky events.

“I’ve seen coaches and players come and go over the years and I am sure the decision taken by the board was done in the best interest of the club,” said Wilkes.

“All the focus now needs to be on the squad and the club and the fans as we take Workington Town forward to the end of this year and challenge for promotion.

“We have got a difficult job on our hands and we have had a few rocky weeks but we need to pull some good performances together.

“I’m sure that the board will pick a suitable replacement for Leon Pryce but as of yet nothing has been publicised and for me it has to be business as usual.”

Wilkes was set to go training last night and said he had some ideas for drills to prepare their injury-hit squad to take on the Cougars.

“We need to get some intensity but I also want the lads to enjoy it, as that’s why we all play the game and get some pride back into it,” he added.

“I’m sure if we get back to winning ways and we get the fun back in the side, we will be okay. We will get everybody up for the game this weekend although we are restricted by numbers and where we can play people.

“But if we can pull a performance together it will stand us in good stead for a new coach coming in.”

Wilkes added he was disappointed that the ladies committee had folded and paid tribute to their hard work.

He added: “The ladies committee has disbanded which is tough to swallow for everybody as they have been fantastic servants to the club.

“They have done a lot for us but now we have to turn up at training, then go to Keighley on Sunday and try to come away with two points. We all have to be singing off the same hymn sheet and we ask that the fans stick with us and support us and hopefully we can become a happy club.”