In principle,what does Barrow A.F.C mean to you?

[barrowaberdeen]

I was thinking about this this morning, avoiding doing work and reading a blog by a Cardiff City fan. One of the replies was from Germany, where Schalke have a set of values the club agrees to live by. These are they, translated:

http://www.schalke04.com/club/mission-statement.html

So, it got me thinking, what's important to you about Barrow's values? Does it matter of the club engage with the town they originate in? What are a football clubs responsiblities to fans and vice versa? Are the club and town's origins important to how it acts, and if so, how is that expressed in the way we do business? Does the club have a social responsibility to the streets where it is from?

Barrow is a members club so, superfically at least, we are in a much better position than most. As a support, there's an acknowledgement by many of the town's heritage and culture. By necessity in this league we have very little local representation on the pitch but we do some good community work.

Maybe you are reading this thinking what's this nonsense got to do with football? Well, Barrow are unlikely to make a charge through the leagues any time soon. Like 90% of football clubs, the season will probably be neither triumph nor total disaster, but to a couple of thousand people, it will matter very much. So there must be some point to it, some reason for it, in which case what our values are seem important to me.

So, to paraphrase a well known song about Wales by GTBlue- what's the point of being Barrow?

[Jim]

It is hard to improve on the Schalke one! For what it is worth, the most important things for me would be:

- Essential part of the local community
- Contribute to the local community
- The club comes from Barrow and belongs in Barrow
- Everyone - management, players, supporters - have pride in the club and help it to progress
- Management should behave honestly and ethically
- Support the club with conviction in good times and bad (paraphrased from the Schalke one)
- Supporters are part of a worldwide family, sharing a common heritage in belonging to Barrow AFC
- Think positively, criticise constructively with the aim of improving things

On the other hand, I might suggest a mission statement along these lines: "our mission is to be passionate about our football and create a sustainable club which works with all our stakeholders in the local community with shared values going forward...."

[Andy]

For me the club is the heartbeat of the community. When the football is doing well, there is a buzz around town and vice versa.
The Schalke list is very comprehensive, but the bit I like is:
A shared passion for the game and for Schalke 04 and pride in our tradition is what unites us at Schalke. Ever since the club was formed we have lived out emotions very intensively. Collective elation and collective pain are important and valuable parts of our identity. This passion should also be imparted to the employees of the club, regardless of whether they are in the sporting area or in other areas.
and
Every one of us gives our best for the club, whether we are players, employees, members or fans.
We stand by our FC Schalke 04 with conviction in good times and bad.
We are proud to be Schalker!
If we could get half way to that I would be happy.

[Chris Benoit]

As well as all that I would say it separates us from those who
'support' Premiership teams in the pub. We have our own little community within the community and I really cant think of a better group of people than those at the football.

[BERSATUBOY]

Supporting BAFC has been a lifetime issue with me. Cannot think of another Club I would fully support [eventho I speek out at times over the Club]. I follow Man U, not go to see, and go to the occasional Owls match. I also prefer this level as you can see players advancing [Holt being the fine example] and honest [well mostly] full blooded football.
The players at this level are also more appreciative of the Supporters more than some of those over paid and much over rated goofs from the professional league. :flag: :flag:

[Steelworks End]

Supporting BAFC has been a lifetime issue with me.

Sums it up exactly. I was born a Barrow supporter - my Dad started to take me to Holker Street as soon as he worked out how to get my pram through the turnstiles - and I will be a Barrow supporter for as long as I remain on this planet. I can't imagine life without Barrow AFC.

[BERSATUBOY]

Yes Steelworks. My dad was a founder member of Holker Old Boys...was a local Referee for ions of years [Tommy Wood if any1 recalls] and he took me to HS ..so what else would I be but a :flag: and more and long may I continue.

[phud]

My dad ... was a local Referee for ions of years

Did the players speak positively or negatively about his performance?

[BERSATUBOY]

Very much good. Better man than you gunga-din

[Reg]

Hard to say.

My passion for the club used to be intense. These days, less so but perhaps that's just in line with my general indifference to the whole sport these days.

Contrary to what some might think, I want the very best for the club but I no longer get the amazing high's, or soul crushing lows that it used to be able to give me in my younger days.

Perhaps when I'm older and can start getting to away games again regularly, I'll begin to feel as though I'm a part of something again but right now, I feel pretty disconnected compared to how I felt during my prime as a hardcore home and away supporter.

[Ralph]

Reminds me that quote: "You can change your wife, but not your football team".

[phud]

Very much good. Better man than you gunga-din

Woooosh!

I'll remain neutral.

[Wintergreen]

Reminds me that quote: "You can change your wife, but not your football team".

Unless you're former MP, radio pundit and babe magnet David Mellor of course who switched allegiance from Fulham to Chelski for some reason. Twit.

For me Barrow AFC is a simply a bare necessity of life - l like football and I support my local team and er, that's it. I like to go and see Premiership games sometimes but that's like a trip to the flicks - it's entertaining but I have no real personal attachment to the proceedings.

And I don't fully understand the logic of all those Barrovians who went to north London to see Barrow play in the spring of 2010 but would never think of going up Holker Street to watch them.

[bigcod123]

Went to the football shortly after the speedway folded and have always been there. There is just something about supporting barrow on a wet winters night. i have had highs last year-fleetwood at home being the best and lows bath say no more. But i just seem to keep going-must be some mad dna i have.

[DIXIE]

They are my team, i cannot change, so i guess Barrow AFC means a lot to me and always will. My ambitions for the rest of my life (football wise) would be to be there when Barrow play there first game back in the football league and to watch England win a world cup that i can remember.