The season-ending game between Goole Vikings and Workington Town was abandoned after 70 minutes on Saturday due to a medical emergency for Town coach Jonty Gorley, and an update has now been provided by the Cumbrian club.
Thankfully, it’s a positive one with the League One club confirming that it was Gorley who had suffered the reported ‘medical emergency’, however, he was back home in Cumbria by the end of the night after treatment at a local hospital.
Gorley is a well-known face in Cumbrian rugby league having previously coached Whitehaven and in his first full season with Workington, he’s guided them to a second-place finish.
Town had been leading at the time of the stoppage but with both clubs agreeing to the abandonment to treat Gorley, it will now be down to the Rugby Football League to determine the outcome of the game.
News of Gorley’s condition emerged when Workington confirmed the abandonment due to a ‘medical incident’, whilst hosts Goole referred to it as a ‘medical emergency’. A positive update from the Cumbrian club came just after 10 pm.
Rugby League coach taken to hospital mid-game
That update read: “Head coach Jonty Gorley was taken ill at the game today and transferred to Scunthorpe General Hospital. His wife Marie travelled from Cumbria to be with him.
“We’re delighted and relieved to say that he has now been released and will travel home with Marie & our head physio.”
A number of people and organisations were praised with the club promising a further update from Gorley, who thanked everyone for their support, in due time.
The statement continued: “Thanks to Courtney Stephenson for providing the best of care and Helen McDowell for her assistance.
“We’d like to thank the medical staff at Goole Vikings who were superb throughout.
“Thank you for the compassion and concern shown by the Goole staff and in particular Head Coach Scott Taylor.
“Also to Vicky Brown at No Name Travel who organised the car within minutes.
“Jonty thanks everyone for their kind messages and concern.”
Head coach Jonty Gorley was taken ill at the game today and transferred to Scunthorpe General Hospital. His wife Marie travelled from Cumbria to be with him.
We’re delighted and relieved to say that he has now been released and will travel home with Marie & our head physio.… pic.twitter.com/3nvCqNiiBR— Workington Town (@WorkingtonTown) September 6, 2025
Eric T Cat
September 7, 2025 at 11:35 am
I am glad to hear that he is alright. It was a good decision to take him to Scunthorpe, if they are taking him to Hull Royal Infirmary he would still be sat in accident and emergency waiting to be seen. my last visit eight hours wait to be seen for a suspected heart attack. The time before that 14 hours, they forgot about me. The only time I got seen quickly was Christmas Day. I had a bleed in my eye and was in and out inside an hour.