A NEW manager has been appointed at Whitehaven AFC since the departure of his predecessor Billy Redden.

Jon Karl Benson has been appointed as the new manager of Whitehaven AFC and Chris Rourke will take up the role as his assistant manager.

Chairman of the football club Luke Johnston was pleased to announce the news.

He told the Whitehaven News said: “We’ve been putting the feelers out and trying to get the right person for the job.

“We met with Jon Karl and Chris two weeks ago and we really liked what they were planning.”

The new bosses plan to strengthen the team by bringing in some new blood and introducing new fitness sessions.

Johnston said: “Jon Karl and Chris have coached Workington Reds Juniors. They did really well with them.

“Jon Karl has been a player for 20 years and he’s been a coach and manager for a few years.”

Benson brings a wealth of experience on and off the pitch to the team. As well as a former Reds Juniors boss he is a former youth player for Carlisle United. He has also been a player at Workington Reds Reserves and Whitehaven AFC in his formative years.

First team captain Mal Holliday was brought on board by Redden to bring experience to the team, bosses have announced that he will wear the armband throughout the 2021/2022 campaign whilst assisting with coaching.

More positive news followed for Whitehaven AFC last week as Shepleys Engineers and PPS fabricated a brand new heated kiosk for the club’s defibrillator.

The life saving heart-start equipment is now based on the cafe cabin adjacent to the Coach Road astroturf pitch.

Johnston said: “We’ve had a defibrillator in the club for years but it’s not been very accessible.”

Speaking of Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest during the Denmark-Finland game, Johnston said: “It just shows the importance of having a defibrillator available.”