Barrow AFC.net

This was mentioned in the after match commentary by Adam and his co-commentator.and also by quite a few people who messaged.It was said that Ian Evatt did his training in Barrow at Holker St the day before a home game.Would it be of any benefit if the owners insisted on it going forward?Then like was said the players would be more familiar with the pitch and also local supporters would be able to watch them train and it would build a.greater connection between players and supporters.It can,t have been that bad if Ian Evatt insisted on it.When was the last time we beat a team 7-0 at Holker St.Thoughts please.

I’m sure the owners wouldn’t want the pitch churned up like a farmers field before a home game and training at local teams has been problematic partly for the same reasons.

I'm sure Evatt trained T holker old boys and Hawcoat Park and holker street a couple of times, if we are actually talking about the weather we really are F****d !

Listening to Craig Rutherford on about this again on today’s episode of the social, seems very sensible to me. Don’t have to actually train on Holker Street every week but even just getting used to the geography of the pitch never mind that connection to the town training here one day would bring

HenneysKnee wrote: ↑Fri Dec 12, 2025 12:17 pm Listening to Craig Rutherford on about this again on today’s episode of the social, seems very sensible to me. Don’t have to actually train on Holker Street every week but even just getting used to the geography of the pitch never mind that connection to the town training here one day would bring

Suppose this also ties in what what people are saying about community facilities and quite frankly, not good enough!

I think it did make a massive difference being in town already the night before. Anyone who ever played football will know how "leggy" you are after travelling for an away game. The home advantage surely has gone if we travel just the same as the supposedly away team?

Evatt used Hawcoat Park in the main and the training pitch next to Holker street on Friday afternoons Mark Cooper used Holker old boys facilities too.
As good as the location and other facilities at FC united are the grass training pitches appear to get so waterlogged come the beginning of November it appears we have to resort to training every day on the 3G pitch from November to March and that itself is not ideal.
The current set up where they train on a Friday morning does allow some players to come up to Barrow on a Friday afternoon when playing at home on a Saturday to visit schools and other community groups in the area.

Whitfield, Gordon, Canavan, Newby, Stanway, Jackson, Mahoney have all been here for numerous years apart from meeting school kids etc ,surely this is just another excuse? Going by that philosophy we'd never win any away game, didn't notice anyone mentioning this when we've been in the play off places!

Maybe not an excuse but maybe another small detail to help improve?

I remember them training at HOBs and Hawcoat Park, and used Friday afternoon to visit local schools etc. Great PR. They then stayed overnight at The Dunes and I think they did a bit of light training at HS on Saturday morning.

I think it would also help in certain situations if it's 40mph winds on a Friday and due same Saturday then let's get some work done on how we use it to our advantage.
Windy games this season the away team played conditions better. Shouldn't be that way.

Why and when did we stop training in Barrow on a Friday? I presume it’s down to the Manager to determine pre match training? Perhaps Whing didn’t want to do it?
Training at HS on Fridays before a home game would surely be advantageous, as said, getting familiar with the pitch, the conditions....and where the goal is

Perhaps the players weren't all that keen, either and local club pitches are likely to get as much rain and cut up like Holker Street would.

The Manchester base has consistently been described as a positive for the club and a factor in attracting players who only showed interest when the realised the football side of the club is based in Manchester.

Hadrian wrote: ↑Fri Dec 12, 2025 8:29 pm Perhaps the players weren't all that keen, either and local club pitches are likely to get as much rain and cut up like Holker Street would.

The Manchester base has consistently been described as a positive for the club and a factor in attracting players who only showed interest when the realised the football side of the club is based in Manchester.

Could that explain their HS performances? They don't actually like playing here!

Jonty wrote: ↑Fri Dec 12, 2025 6:08 pm Why and when did we stop training in Barrow on a Friday? I presume it’s down to the Manager to determine pre match training? Perhaps Whing didn’t want to do it?
Training at HS on Fridays before a home game would surely be advantageous, as said, getting familiar with the pitch, the conditions....and where the goal is

It was stopped due to Covid - then when Mark Cooper took over the overnight stays in barrow became optional then when Pete wild came in they went back to staying in barrow the Friday before but trained in Manchester

Adam29 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 13, 2025 9:12 am

Jonty wrote: ↑Fri Dec 12, 2025 6:08 pm Why and when did we stop training in Barrow on a Friday? I presume it’s down to the Manager to determine pre match training? Perhaps Whing didn’t want to do it?
Training at HS on Fridays before a home game would surely be advantageous, as said, getting familiar with the pitch, the conditions....and where the goal is

It was stopped due to Covid - then when Mark Cooper took over the overnight stays in barrow became optional then when Pete wild came in they went back to staying in barrow the Friday before but trained in Manchester

And under PW the record was better than where we are now so is that an indicator that being here the night before is beneficial?

I used to have to travel to the lakes to meet my team, then from there would travel to various parts of Cumbria, sometimes was 2hrs in a car and I can tell you, it was awful and took about 45 mins just to get the body and legs moving..and back then I really was a fit lad but the travel definitely has an impact.

When I played locally, travel wasn't an issue, maybe 15 mins in a car and it doesn't affect quite the same.

So maybe there is merit in staying here the night before.