... and had to apply for re-election to the Football League.

Along with Halifax Town, Hartlepool and Southport, Reds had to go ‘cap-in-hand’ at the Football League’s AGM, held at the Cafe Royal in London, on Friday 17 June, 1977.

Sadly, Workington failed to gain re-election with Wimbledon, Southern League Premier Division, taking their place.

The voting on the day was as follows:

Halifax Town 44, Hartlepool 43, Southport 37 and Wimbledon 27 (elected) with Workington 21 and Altrincham 12 (not elected).

So, after twenty-six seasons, Workington’s time as a member of the Football League was over.

They had played 1,194 games, won 385, drew 310 and lost 499 amassing 1,080 points.

Aggregate attendance for the matches staged at Borough Park between 1951 and 1977 was 2,378,636.

Forty years on, and now Hartlepool have dropped through the trap door with a relegation also suffered by Southport and Altrincham.