If Evatt Goes.

[blumooncrab]

10 bob - I meant to say ‘ you wouldn’t know good if it slapped you in the face ‘
Sorry!

[geobarrovian]

Ah it would appear that the narcissistic wind up merchant has come back and lobbed a few grenades in.

[olbarrafancumbak]

Ah it would appear that the narcissistic wind up merchant has come back and lobbed a few grenades in.

With a bit of luck, one of the pins drops out and he blows himself up!

[Always Ultra]

Graeme Jones

[barrowfan]

Still favourite https://m.skybet.com/football/manager-s ... t/23655527

[Adam29]

Still favourite https://m.skybet.com/football/manager-s ... t/23655527

Brian Barry Murphy will get it
He is caretaker manager now, fan favourite as a player and won yesterday in his first game as caretaker

[bluebird90]

Can anyone blame him if he goes? The crowds this season are pathetic . This town shoould be ashamed of itself.

Yeah - less than 1000 home supporters last night. Hope the new Commercial Manager can bring in some much needed support in the way of sponsorship and other initiatives.

The Rugby are averaging well over 1500, through a cracking marketing campaign, with a big focus on kids.

Took my little one the other week and it cost a fiver to get in if we went before 1pm. Loads to do when we got in (facepainting etc) and we spent a small fortune on food and drink. Came home and she wants to go again.

Didn’t take her today as it was so cold but despite the weather, there was loads of kids there, with free t-shirts they’d been given and big queues at the food and drink stalls taking in a bit of extra cash. At the end they were having photos with players etc and went out big massive smiles on their face. 1700 odd there after 3 poor results.

They’ve had a poor start to the season in all fairness but with a bit of effort, you can get people in! For me, the football seems to be all about what they can get short term and not about the long term gains. £2.50 a game off if you buy two games is hardly enticing is it?

Bang on the doors of schools and local clubs with real offers that will get them in and make it something that they look forward too every week. Not once a year. It not only gives a bit back to the community but it gives the place a bit of extra buzz - like the Salford game. Imagine the buzz they would’ve felt going home after yesterday’s late drama.

[Lancaster Branch]

I think the ticket offers etc this season have been as good as I can remember but you have a point - we do things once and then never again. The open training session that happened last season in the holidays - seemed to be a great success but hasn’t been repeated. The players did that Friday afternoon session in various primary schools - that should be a regular thing if they are up here on a Friday before a home game (assuming the schools are ok having them in, of course).

[HenneysKnee]

The first time I ever went to the rugby it was through the players coming into school to run a training session in PE then giving us free tickets afterwards, go 2/3 times a season now

[whitty1969]

Yeah - less than 1000 home supporters last night. Hope the new Commercial Manager can bring in some much needed support in the way of sponsorship and other initiatives.

The Rugby are averaging well over 1500, through a cracking marketing campaign, with a big focus on kids.

Took my little one the other week and it cost a fiver to get in if we went before 1pm. Loads to do when we got in (facepainting etc) and we spent a small fortune on food and drink. Came home and she wants to go again.

Didn’t take her today as it was so cold but despite the weather, there was loads of kids there, with free t-shirts they’d been given and big queues at the food and drink stalls taking in a bit of extra cash. At the end they were having photos with players etc and went out big massive smiles on their face. 1700 odd there after 3 poor results.

They’ve had a poor start to the season in all fairness but with a bit of effort, you can get people in! For me, the football seems to be all about what they can get short term and not about the long term gains. £2.50 a game off if you buy two games is hardly enticing is it?

Bang on the doors of schools and local clubs with real offers that will get them in and make it something that they look forward too every week. Not once a year. It not only gives a bit back to the community but it gives the place a bit of extra buzz - like the Salford game. Imagine the buzz they would’ve felt going home after yesterday’s late drama.

So how many Widnes fans were there?
They have a big away following....

[Matty]

About 250.

[The Tomahawk Kid]

Yeah - less than 1000 home supporters last night. Hope the new Commercial Manager can bring in some much needed support in the way of sponsorship and other initiatives.

The Rugby are averaging well over 1500, through a cracking marketing campaign, with a big focus on kids.

Took my little one the other week and it cost a fiver to get in if we went before 1pm. Loads to do when we got in (facepainting etc) and we spent a small fortune on food and drink. Came home and she wants to go again.

Didn’t take her today as it was so cold but despite the weather, there was loads of kids there, with free t-shirts they’d been given and big queues at the food and drink stalls taking in a bit of extra cash. At the end they were having photos with players etc and went out big massive smiles on their face. 1700 odd there after 3 poor results.

They’ve had a poor start to the season in all fairness but with a bit of effort, you can get people in! For me, the football seems to be all about what they can get short term and not about the long term gains. £2.50 a game off if you buy two games is hardly enticing is it?

Bang on the doors of schools and local clubs with real offers that will get them in and make it something that they look forward too every week. Not once a year. It not only gives a bit back to the community but it gives the place a bit of extra buzz - like the Salford game. Imagine the buzz they would’ve felt going home after yesterday’s late drama.

Interesting post - but very little to do with the topic of this thread. However; I take your point.

You state that your child wanted to go again after her visit to Craven Park and you also state that the kids had big smiles on their faces after the game - even though it was another poor result for The Raiders. I think those two statements of yours highlight the 'entertainment' factor which is been offered by the Rugby rather than the Rugby which is actually being played by the team. I'm not sure the entertainment currently being offered will actually transform those kids into future Raiders fans - it will be short lived - those kids will eventually get bored with the entertainment and they and their parents will cease visiting Craven Park. Attendances will also start to tumble soon due to the poor standard of Rugby that is currently being served up.

Barrow AFC should concentrate more on the kids/youth of Furness, I agree - they are the future fans. However; I don't think face painting/giving out T-Shirts is the way to go. More community involvement is needed from the club and its players.

Paul Casson had a point regarding his idea of having 5/6 players living in the town. I would also suggest that the players train in the Furness area - it would also stop clubs like Rochdale poaching our players/manager! There was a recent photo shoot of Raiders players in a local gym and some also train locally. If players don't want to live/train in Furness due to family committments/work etc etc then sign some who will! In the past Barrow AFC obtained positions of employment for many of our players - why can't something similar be done again to attract new players who'll live in the area? I, personally, would rather support a team whose players live in/have a fondness for the town rather than a bunch of mercenaries who look upon Barrow AFC as a stepping stone to prosper their careers. Ray Wilkie had the right idea!

A starting point might be to enter a team of our players for the Keswick to Barrow walk - if Barrow AFC fans are willing to participate - why not the players? After the walk there could be a celebratory evening for fans/players.

And the Radio! I still can't understand why the club doesn't use local radio stations to promote the club. I'm not talking about radio commentaries of the club's games - I mean using the radio to actually 'Advertise' the club and its forthcoming fixtures. Of course it'll cost money but it will be money well spent! If the club can't afford it then why not offer to advertise the Radio Stations for free around the boundary walls of Holker Street for free advertising on their Radio Stations?

It's all about ideas, of course - some will work/some won't. But I honestly believe it's time for some NEW ones!

[JammyBluebird]

I would also suggest that the players train in the Furness area

I can't understand why people keep pushing this. Why would any player or manager in the north of England want to come to Barrow if they trained here?

We can't afford top end wages in the this division, so if you take what we might offer players in terms of salary. They will probably would rather take a lower wage in the division below but have smaller expenditure and time travelling.

Staying in the Manchester area is key to allow us to be able to attract players that are good enough to stay in this league. If we train near Barrow then we might as well to go back to part time.

[The Tomahawk Kid]

You don't understand why people keep pushing this?

Ever heard of loyalty, love of the town, love of the shirt/badge? If you ain't got that - you've got nowt! They're the seeds of success. Leicester City and Huddersfield Town have both proved that a community focused club reaps dividends!

Staying in the Manchester area/any other area is the key to our 'own' downfall.

If going p/t again leads to a team full of players who live in the area, love the club, play for the badge on their shirts and mix with the inhabitants of Furness - bring it on! What has going full-time led to? A higher wage bill - yes. But what kind of success?

Paul Casson's intention to have 5/6 players (including the captain) living in the local community was his saving grace. I hope the current owners bear this in mind.

[TaylorBAFC]

I would also suggest that the players train in the Furness area

I can't understand why people keep pushing this. Why would any player or manager in the north of England want to come to Barrow if they trained here?

We can't afford top end wages in the this division, so if you take what we might offer players in terms of salary. They will probably would rather take a lower wage in the division below but have smaller expenditure and time travelling.

Staying in the Manchester area is key to allow us to be able to attract players that are good enough to stay in this league. If we train near Barrow then we might as well to go back to part time.

+1. The reason as to why the Rugby can do this, I believe, is because most of the players are local. That isn't the case with our squad and therefore the current strategy is best, as it maximises our potential. By moving to Barrow, it is likely to put off some players. Our location already puts us at a disadvantage, in general.