Local rivals Whitehaven and Workington are hoping to launch a new Cumbria team with the aim of playing in the Super League by 2002.

Directors from the two Northern Ford Premiership clubs are preapring to become one and were in the process of creating a business proposal to present to shareholders.

The new club will hope to have a new stadium within two years of their creation, but until then the new outfit will alternate playing home games betwen Workington's Dewent Park and Whitehaven's Recreation Ground.

But Workington chief executive John Donovan was adamant that there was not going to be a 'merger' although there would be a loss of seperate identities.

"There is no merger," said Donovan.

Joint venture

"The clubs will continue to exist and pursue their normal commercial activities but we are putting our rugby resources into a joint venture and forming a new limited company to play rugby league and hopefully produce a quality product.

"We're in the fairly early stages of negotiation. It will not be easy but, given goodwill by both sets of directors, I am sure it will work."

Workington did take part in the first season of the Super League back in 1996 but relegation soon followed along with financial problems.

Whitehaven vice-chairman Ralph Calvin realises that a joint venture may be the only way they can get enjoy Super League status.

"As it is now, what can we play for. If you win the title, you still don't get Super League," said Calvin.

Big risk

"We're getting further behind and we just couldn't see a way ahead for the game. We haven't had a main sponsor for three years."

"We're disappointed that it's been leaked because, if it doesn't happen, we're going to be made to look like fools. We've got to make it happen now.

"It's a big risk and we've had sleepless nights over it. You are doing away with tradition but do we stay as we are and accept the level of rugby that the spectators won't pay to watch or do we try and do something about it?

"Rugby league is dying on its feet up here and it's a shame because Cumbria is one of the strongholds and it was vibrant only six years ago. We need a professional club to give these youngsters something to aim for.