Brad Singleton, the former Wigan Warriors prop, has agreed to take up his first head coaching position with Championship club Workington Town, the club has confirmed. Singleton, who will turn 34 in October, will conclude the current campaign as a player for Barrow Raiders before retiring and stepping into the managerial role ahead of the 2027 season.
From player to coach
Singleton’s move marks the end of a 16-year professional playing career in the top flight. Having amassed in excess of 300 career appearances, the former Ireland international decided earlier this year that the time had come to prepare for life after playing. He joined Barrow in June and has committed to fulfil his playing contract for the remainder of the season.
Workington Town have announced that their current head coach, Jonty Gorley, will transition to a director of rugby role when Singleton takes the reins. The incoming coach described the opportunity as an exciting next step and stressed his desire to finish his stint at Barrow correctly before moving into coaching.
"I’m very grateful... At this current moment, I’m still playing for Barrow, and I’m proudly doing that. I want to finish that right. But it was time for me to think, ‘what’s next?’. I could probably have squeezed another year out (playing), but I think what excites me more is coaching, and Workington have been very proactive getting in touch."
Local and regional implications
The appointment is notable for Wigan readers because Singleton is one of a cohort of players developed or refined within the town’s rugby league ecosystem. His transition from a long playing career into coaching reflects a familiar pathway for ex-professionals and will be watched closely by supporters and aspiring coaches across the region.
- Role: Head coach, Workington Town (from 2027)
- Current status: Playing for Barrow Raiders until season end
- Career length: 16 years (over 300 appearances)
Club statements and next steps
Barrow have publicly wished Singleton well, noting they fully respect his decision to pursue coaching and that discussions confirmed his commitment to help the Raiders through the remainder of his contract. Workington have moved quickly to secure a coach they believe will build on existing foundations, with Gorley remaining in a senior strategic role to support the transition.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | Turning 34 in October |
| Playing career | 16 years; more than 300 appearances |
| New role begins | Ahead of 2027 season |
The coming months will be important both for Barrow, who retain Singleton’s services on the field for the rest of the campaign, and for Workington, who will begin preparations for his arrival as head coach. For Wigan’s rugby league community, the development underscores the continued influence of town-grown talent across the wider game.
