Looking ahead- perceptions of the club.

[Jonty]

Been thinking a lot about the future of the club and if we get a new investment / takeover. Some of the issues any new club owner needs to overcome-

Alarming negativity amongst the Barrow fans, low appeal in the local community. Crowds below 600 are the biggest indicator to any new investor that there are issues- lots of them to address. It would seem a lot of the negativity is tied to the existing set up. And I'm not just talking the Board, or the management. I'm talking the entire perception of the club, We are the club at the end of the cul-de-sac, unnatractive to all but the faithful. How does the club of the future start to break this, the image of the "cold Tuesday night at Holker Street" stood in the horizontal rain and gale force winds.

Do we need to think seriously about re-branding the club going forward? Currently Barrow AFC has no appeal. We are not attractive, No appeal for potential investors, no appeal for potential new fans, no appeal for potential new sponsors. We are tied down with negativity, we go from one crisis to another and in order to move forward we need to break away from this. If things do happen off the field- Is it time to also re-brand and start afresh?

How? some examples- Controversial? perhaps

Dropping the AFC from the name. Is it time for just "Barrow FC", The AFC bit comes from an era when we needed to differentiate ourselves from the Rugby Football. So we had Barrow AFC and Barrow RFC, now there is no mistaking who we are. Do we need the AFC for the next 50 years- why not just Barrow FC? controversial?- perhaps.

The badge- old fashioned- time to update?- Don't dismiss it. The existing shield is from another era. Does a shield with a suit of armour helmet and a submarine still appeal? Ok that's a nod towards the town's shipbuilding heritage, but does that still fit with the club going forward?, The club motto, do we live by our motto? What about modernising the badge to something simple- instantly recognisable as Barrow- easy to reproduce in the modern digital age. How we laughed at the Morecambe Shrimp- but actually it went with them entering a new era. It's theirs- you know it now as instantly Morecambe. Many clubs now are dropping old fashioned shields and "coats of arms"- we could do the same- with fan consultation we could update our badge to signify the start of new era in our history. Ie- a simple "B" with an arrow through it, or a "Bee" with an arrow through it, modern, clean- instantly recognisable as Barrow.

So why do things like this?- The club is desperate in need of a major overhaul. We appeal to no-one but the hardened fans. We may have the odd cup run, a few seasons in the conference, but ultimately it falls back down again to where we are. To grow, the club of the future needs to appeal to not only existing fans but also we simply must attract new fans into the club, not only that I am thinking of sponsorship and wider appeal. I think re-branding and re-selling the club has to be high on the agenda of any potential takeover consortium. Barrow AFC is just about done in it's current guise. We need to think of all ways to secure this club for generations to come and things like this cannot be dismissed as part of the overall development going forward for any new investor.

We are 40 years into the same cycle of peaks and troughs and its is simply will not be enough for new owners to come in and keep things the same. A whole new approach is required to signify the start of a new era if and when it happens.

views? This is not about selling out to "Modern football" but more about trying to shape a new more appealing Barrow for all.

[strawberry]

how long did you spend thinking up that garbage?

[boyliegladbach]

Can we have cheerleaders?

[Wintergreen]

I can’t see the point of any re-branding personally and especially right now if we still have to suffer the same old same old at Holker Street. I would like to think Mystery Investor would have a few ideas in this direction if he does take control of the club.

Furthermore, I heard on Saturday from a few good sauces that MI is arranging for Sheryl Crow to parachute into the ground next Saturday v Ramsbottom to sing ‘A Change Will Do You Good’. Stayaways - miss this historic event at your peril.

[DaveC]

I can see you've put some thought into that so please don't take this too badly, but no on every level. We have an identity, one that's been built over the years, I can see no reason at all to re-invent our image.

[Kieran]

I can see you've put some thought into that so please don't take this too badly, but no on every level. We have an identity, one that's been built over the years, I can see no reason at all to re-invent our image.

+1,000000

Couldn't agree more.

[BristolBluebird]

the Rugby and Football teams should talk and groundshare its the only way forward for both clubs straight away the upkeep is 50 50 should have been done years ago

[Steelworks End]

I wouldn't knock anyone for putting forward thoughts on how to attract more supporters to Holker Street, as it is clear that with attendances declining at an alarming rate something needs to be done.

How about playing open, attractive football for starters?

[pjdaly]

Strawberry - - - no need whatsoever for the nature of your response. Disagree by all means, but mocking the poster with "how long did it take you to think up that garbage" is unnecessary and disrespectful.

I do not know Jonty and have never met him but I do know from his posts on this site over a number of years that he cares passionately about this club and there is no call for for the manner of your disagreement.

[Jonty]

No worries whatsoever about Stawberry's response- fair comment- I appreciate some can''t enter reasoned debate. It took about 5 minutes by the way. Just looking to generate some debate on the issues potential new investors face including the negativity surrounding the club. They may, for all we know, be looking very closely at the overall perception associated with the club in its current state and breaking away from that may include such things as new badge etc. It does happen.

[Jonty]

I can see you've put some thought into that so please don't take this too badly, but no on every level. We have an identity, one that's been built over the years, I can see no reason at all to re-invent our image.

Dave, I don't disagree, but largely that identity is associated with 40 years of non league wilderness with the occasional purple patch. Twice this club missed the boat to progress- post 90 and post 2010 and the club has never reached it's potential. Next time- new dawn- new era, things have to be done differently. The whole approach has to be looked at or else it will be more of the same. And its not just about modernising the badge /image. It's more than that- ground share has to be on the agenda- so when the economic climate changes we are talking about a new fit for purpose sports venue to progress both clubs- the crown jewel of future regeneration- not a marina for the few, but a sports venue for all the community. Everything needs to be looked at with open minded views to all things. The club is stuck in this negative mentality and there needs to be a massive change of thinking towards what can be achieved. I'm open minded toward all things that will help progress this club.

[spirit of 1990]

how long did you spend thinking up that garbage?

No need!

Dropping the AFC from the name. Is it time for just "Barrow FC",

No, absolutely no.

The badge- old fashioned- time to update?-

No.

This is not about selling out to "Modern football" but more about trying to shape a new more appealing Barrow for all.

Probably what Morescum said to their supporters.

I think new people would bring a buzz to the club, that could be all that's needed - it might need more such as a new manager as well but I'm not for all this "re-branding" crap.

I hope we're not desperate enough just to accept whatever's on offer though (if there is an offer) Things are bad, really bad but lets not just grasp at anything.

[barrowaberdeen]

I disagree with everything in that post Jonty, but not your right to say it and expect an adult response.

Play decent football, run cohesively and fairly, represent the streets where you are from, uphold the identity and traditions of the club and town, warts and all.

[John Very Little]

The club doesn't need to re-brand itself, it needs to be run differently so that its more inclusive and supporters/members and potential fans are made to feel as though they are wanted/heard and belong to the club and not treated like an annoyance, a way to get cash or for the board to try and get one over on them. Being open and honest and not covering things up would be a start.

Recently we've had the Maintenance Group where many volunteers have come along to help out and help them feel part of the club and so much was achieved when this happened. Again at the Members Meeting when the board listened to the views about the admission charges being dropped to encourage more children to attend. Communication with fans is absolutely vital and the club needs to listen to them more and hear what their views are and also be made more aware of what's happening with the club but more importantly accept help when its offered (not letting a suitable volunteer ring up companies about the renewal the of advertising hoardings was criminal). Getting more involved with the local community and publicising the involvement accordingly would also be helpful and improving the the modern technology side of things to reach out to more people is also necessary.

At present the club do not have enough people to do all that's needed but they could get them with a change of attitude and have some form of vision for the future that fans could buy into. Its obvious that the Keen's don't understand what fans would like or expect and I can't see much of a future with them in charge but any new owner or ownership model needs to take these things into account. There is so much that could be done to promote the club more to have a better identity in the town itself.

[McMark]

Are we talking about Valco here. or our beloved football club!!!!