Reality Bites

[andyg]

I always knew that, for me personally, this was the day reality finally kicked in & that we really are back in the abyss of non league football. The fixtures are out and yes we are now up against the Hornchurch’s, Tamworth’s and Boston’s again. I successfully ignored the EFL fixtures the other week & only make a passing glance at the latest news from League 2 on Sky. Yes I’ve been in some kind of denial regarding Barrow this summer. I’ve had very little interest in the comings and goings at the club with the exception of whether Whitfield will stay or go (still not sure at present). I just don’t feel positive about anything Barrow AFC at the moment.
It’s all borne out of frustration as I truly believe we had the ability to stay in the EFL for a seventh season but the combination of the rotating managers door, bad signing of players with a history of injuries etc etc just compounds my present negativity. The negativity, for me, was actually reinforced with the recent Hornby interviews which really did re-enforce the view of the total cock up made at every level of the club last season. It could and should have been avoided but here we are….again.
I knew the writing was on the wall with my last two away games I went to at Shrewsbury & Fleetwood. I saw a team unable to fight against adversity and the confrontation between a section of fans and players at Shrewsbury was sad to see. My last home game was Colchester (couldn’t make the end of season games for personal reasons) and I hoped against hope that we might just turn the corner but the last 20 odd minutes sitting in the stand at Fleetwood put paid to that. At least me and my granddaughter enjoyed the fish and chips in a very wet Blackpool after the game!
Living in the Altrincham area I suppose I can walk to see Barrow play there but witnessing the quality of football I saw the on a few occasions I went to last season there you will immediately see the drop in level, quality and everything that goes with a relegation into non- league.
I know I’m being ultra negative but that’s how I feel at present. But I will be up supporting the boys and will come up later in the summer to help out at the ground with those fantastic volunteers. And if by any chance we can get things going this season & start to hover around the top end of the league then I will be getting behind the team I have loved and still love for the past 65 years – God that’s a long time! I’ve enjoyed 24 years (although I shouldn’t really count the very early years I suppose) of Barrow being in the football league. I hope I live to see them back in the EFL again – preferably after just one season in the abyss.
See I still believe….just

[behind the goals]

Into the abyss of non-league football how will we survive especially with 14 players still here from last season, going to be hard long season watching non-league football but that's what we do.

[Adam29]

People need to stop referring to it as “the abyss”

It’s not 1972 anymore - there is a way back, how long as it takes who knows but the way some people are talking it’s like they’ve shut all the doors and cancelled promotions

I hope to god the club doesn’t have the same feeling, might as well just not bother

[andyg]

I said in my comments that its only my opinion - it's how I feel at present and certainly don't need to be reprimanded for it.

[Main Stand SeasonTct]

People need to stop referring to it as “the abyss”

It’s not 1972 anymore - there is a way back, how long as it takes who knows but the way some people are talking it’s like they’ve shut all the doors and cancelled promotions

I hope to god the club doesn’t have the same feeling, might as well just not bother

To be fair Adam to those that were around to see us booted out in 72 last seasons relegation I detect hit harder to them than those that were not and I get that.
Yes they way back is easier than then but like I’ve heard said it’s harder to get out of the National League than it is to survive in league two something I agree with

[Always Ultra]

"Graveyard League " - Tony Keen

[Bakewell Blue]

I am with Adam on this. Yes, it’s a rubbish place to be after the optimism of 2-3 years ago, but it is not a hopeless situation.
I am an optimist in life but a pessimist where Barrow AFC are concerned. However, I think we have gone about things the right way since relegation, so I am looking forward to this season much more than I expected. OK, Hornchurch and Tamworth won’t be able to match the heights of Valley Parade, Meadow Lane and Edgeley Park, but Carlisle, Hartlepool, Southend and Scunthorpe aren’t small fry.

[Jonty]

We all know last summer was crucial in recruitment and we got it totally wrong on player and dare I say Manager front. Fans were voicing concerns 6 games in.

But,….its gone, the anger has subsided and I feel more positive in the lead up to the season ahead than I did 12 months ago. It’s a clean slate for those that stay with us. Adam Murray may just be the Manager we need and I truly believe we’ll do our best to get out first attempt. We have to because when that parachute payment dries up, on paper we are a mid table club in this very tough league. Theres little prize / tv money. No guaranteed SKY payments. Think we’ve got one shot at this…..No pressure then.

[Matty]

After a few weeks of optimism, looking ahead to the future and clean slate for all, there's nothing like a negative thread to bring us all back to Earth.

[Hitthebar22]

After a few weeks of optimism, looking ahead to the future and clean slate for all, there's nothing like a negative thread to bring us all back to Earth.

[McMark]

I thought this was going to be a parody group for that 80’s rock band from up the coast.

[Pedro]

In 1972 we were booted out of the league and Hereford beating Newcastle helped promote them.

Last season was a disaster but on the face of it we look like we have a plan
Ironical our last game is at home to Woking.
Relegation from the National League one season was between.us and them.

If we beat the Chester youth team we were safe.
Chester had financial troubles so had to play youth players.
Looks a no brainer
We got beat but thankfully so did Woking at Dover and they went down.

[Olderbarrowfan79+]

One time not too long ago we were a conf north team that longed to be a establised national league side going up and down between the leagues ive spent most my life watching us in non league it is what it is its football entertainment we have a club still and we can have a prosperous season were barrow afc we will rise again yeh it was sad to go out the efl but the national league is very competitive and we have every chance to make play offs and bring some better times and a better connection with the fans back

[olbarrafancumbak]

I always knew that, for me personally, this was the day reality finally kicked in & that we really are back in the abyss of non league football. The fixtures are out and yes we are now up against the Hornchurch’s, Tamworth’s and Boston’s again. I successfully ignored the EFL fixtures the other week & only make a passing glance at the latest news from League 2 on Sky. Yes I’ve been in some kind of denial regarding Barrow this summer. I’ve had very little interest in the comings and goings at the club with the exception of whether Whitfield will stay or go (still not sure at present). I just don’t feel positive about anything Barrow AFC at the moment.
It’s all borne out of frustration as I truly believe we had the ability to stay in the EFL for a seventh season but the combination of the rotating managers door, bad signing of players with a history of injuries etc etc just compounds my present negativity. The negativity, for me, was actually reinforced with the recent Hornby interviews which really did re-enforce the view of the total cock up made at every level of the club last season. It could and should have been avoided but here we are….again.
I knew the writing was on the wall with my last two away games I went to at Shrewsbury & Fleetwood. I saw a team unable to fight against adversity and the confrontation between a section of fans and players at Shrewsbury was sad to see. My last home game was Colchester (couldn’t make the end of season games for personal reasons) and I hoped against hope that we might just turn the corner but the last 20 odd minutes sitting in the stand at Fleetwood put paid to that. At least me and my granddaughter enjoyed the fish and chips in a very wet Blackpool after the game!
Living in the Altrincham area I suppose I can walk to see Barrow play there but witnessing the quality of football I saw the on a few occasions I went to last season there you will immediately see the drop in level, quality and everything that goes with a relegation into non- league.
I know I’m being ultra negative but that’s how I feel at present. But I will be up supporting the boys and will come up later in the summer to help out at the ground with those fantastic volunteers. And if by any chance we can get things going this season & start to hover around the top end of the league then I will be getting behind the team I have loved and still love for the past 65 years – God that’s a long time! I’ve enjoyed 24 years (although I shouldn’t really count the very early years I suppose) of Barrow being in the football league. I hope I live to see them back in the EFL again – preferably after just one season in the abyss.
See I still believe….just

Tough read that but I think every single supporter felt the same at the end of the season BUT it's now a chance to reset, learn from the mistakes and push hard for a promotion place! I like the look of the signings, I like the gaffers style of play, I think the players we have retained will be in tune with him too.
Football is very cruel and it's very emotional but it's a clean slate, a chance and a hope, keep ya chin up Andy, the future looks a dam sight brighter than it did last season and we will hopefully have a lot to be happy about.

Keep the faith!

[mall]

I thought this was going to be a parody group for that 80’s rock band from up the coast.

Thats what I thought McMark !
They're shooting up the town boys !