A Few Years Time

[Azrael]

This issue is not as straightforward as often made out, it isn't simply a question of good enough or not good enough. Statements suggesting there isn't the talent in the area are inherently nonsensical, talent isn't defined by a geographical location so how can the statement 'local players aren't good enough to play for Barrow' be true? There is talent in the area, certainly enough to churn out a few solid conference standard footballers if nothing else, but the issue isn't talent, it's that this talent is largely unrealised and pretty much any player playing locally now has already missed the boat. The problem lies in that the approach to and attitudes towards local football are not, for whatever reason, conducive to allowing talented players to develop the tools and experiences which would develop them from good amateur players to Conference standard players (or at least Unibond or whatever it is now). I'm not trying to blame anyone or an organisation, and I include players themselves in this, I think it's just because it's how it's always been in this area. It is a collective problem. I can't see anything changing in the near future because the issue is not as simplistic as to say more or better coaching is needed, because this wouldn't tackle the whole issue. There are a number of things would have to change and there isn't the coherency in the local footballing community (again, from players, administration, clubs and fans) to implement anything radical enough to make any difference. That is why, in my opinion, even the current efforts and schemes (such as better coaching through Barrow or whoever) will not bear significant fruit because they are small measures in isolation from intrinsically complex difficulties. That is a different debate itself and could easily be very lengthy, but I will say I have played at a good standard elsewhere and they just seem to do things very differently to us

Anyway, that wasn't what I actually came on to say! Someone mentioned that locals don't want to play for Barrow and generally that is absolutely correct. Before I get started this is not a debate about individual players being good enough, it's about pretty much every local footballer who has over the last 10 years been involved with Barrow has been poorly treated or messed around in one way or another. I've had first hand experience and I could go through a litany of things both on and off the field, and I could name 10+ other guys who've had similar experiences. Once again, I'm not saying all these lads should have been playing for Barrow, some maybe could have, most of us probably not. What I am saying there is no excuse for the way these lads have been treated whilst involved at Barrow, and as a result Barrow AFC now has a pretty awful reputation in local footballing circles and amongst local footballers. There are those I'm sure who won't care because they think locals aren't good enough anyway, but it has an impact on you in other ways, for example there aren't many local footballers who go to Holker St even when they aren't playing themselves. It's clearly not all to do with the bad reputation the club has, but if there was a better relationship between Barrow and the amateur game you'd have more floating fans turning up and putting a couple of quid in the coffers every now then. Barrow Aberdeen is right, the rugby is completely different, but I get the impression they have a much closer links with the local game and see the benefits off the pitch as well as on it, and I say all that as someone who used to be a Barrow AFC fan.

[barrowaberdeen]

I think that's a very damning indictment on the club azariel. I think one thing to say is I would be amazed if anyone didn't want local players, anyone who works with young people would tell you the positive affect of having Jason walker coaching in schools during the week then playing on the Saturday. Pre season, I watched a couple of local lads turning out for barrow in friendlies. They both did reasonably well, but most thought they simply weren't going to get in the side before what we had. They would have needed nurturing for a season, with full time training. Would you say that the will isn't there on either side. The club necessarily ( not.ideally)bases itself outside the area, attracting young players from the bigger market of the north west. Local players, understandbly given the clubs reputation for treating them badly, are unwilling to risk it on not much money. It's a vicious circle. R

[Wintergreen]

This 'local' thing that many seem to hold against Barrow is an absolute crock. Forget about the past, it is no longer the 1990s; Jason Walker was a professional footballer born in Barrow who came to us from another club, as did Wayne Curtis and Joe Jackson. It's a nice touch, but sheer coincidence that Barrovians play for us from time to time, if any local player is any good they would be snapped up as children by bigger, more structured and affluent clubs than us, develop and turn pro - that is the process.

What would happen if a local superstar on Barrow's books was loaned out to Hinckley to get some game time? How would that affect his shift pattern at BAE/Kimberly-Clark/Gas Terminal/Sellafield?

[spirit of 1990]

It's a nice touch, but sheer coincidence that Barrovians play for us from time to time, if any local player is any good they would be snapped up as children by bigger, more structured and affluent clubs than us,

Totally agree. I haven't a clue why people bang on about local players not getting a look in - if they were good enough they'd get games.
It doesn't happen though as the pick of the better locals, as Gary say's have been snapped up long before & we only get a shot at the loanee's sich as JJ who is still progressing & will hopefully (with Barrows help) go on to have a great career in football, the rest will drift back into the HOB'S, Kendal or the Lancaster's of the football world.

[K_BFC]

This is evident at Holker with players leaving because "im getting £25 at Furness Rovers, or im getting £60 at ambleside & i dont have to travel as far." Now this leaves Holker threadbare and bottom of the league with 0 points.

Who's getting paid at Furness Rovers?

heard a few name be mentioned.

You heard, says it all really.

ok, i know of a few players who are for sure.

Interesting responses to the initial statement of players being paid. I used to talk regularly with a local manager about 20 years ago and he told me back then that no one would play for his team unless they were paid. He never mentioned amounts paid but constantly moaned about the fact. Unless charity has taken off over the last couple of decades then I would expect that to be the same, if any players are playing for nothing they are either mugs or they really love the game. Of course they could also be useless and not worth paying.

Back to the relationship between the locals and Barrow AFC. I thought the club disbanded the reserves a while (mid 2010?) ago as it was causing friction between them and local sides, I see this as a positive move showing respect to the local sides and players alike. They also mentioned at the time they had a youth set up in the works with Neil Doherty at the helm and their progress has been commented on a few times last season. I would see this as the future of local players getting involved in Barrow AFC games, when ever they mature/come available.