Barrow AFC.net

https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/ne ... 4eTflxqckw

https://sotg.footballregulator.org.uk/

The article on this on the BBC website is a scary read and shows just how precarious football is especially the further down the pyramid you go. Link below

I would say these three bullet points are brackets we fall into

66% of clubs could not survive for more than 90 days without new owner funding

68% of clubs have no contingency plan if their owner walks away

94% of clubs in the top five English leagues made losses in 2025-26


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/ar ... gx70pzq1jo

The key take away as far as the National League is the urgency in establishing and unanimous support for the 3up by the National League.

The widespread backing of the 3UP campaign is also testament to what National League football is now, as are the many successes of clubs in the higher leagues who have been in the National League. Our 72 clubs remain unanimous in their support for this to be established as soon as possible.

Player wage costs increased across all leagues between 2021/22 and 2025/26:

The 71% and 63% respectively increase in player wages in league one two is also eye watering.

If they want 3 up the NL need to get their own act together and align properly with EFL regulations and practices on financial matters and transfer windows.

The running of the NL is only slightly les of a shit show than it was the last time we were here.

Richard Ingham wrote: ↑Wed Oct 14, 2026 2:26 pm If they want 3 up the NL need to get their own act together and align properly with EFL regulations and practices on financial matters and transfer windows.

The running of the NL is only slightly les of a shit show than it was the last time we were here.

Maybe they have adopted the basket immersion method as a way of benchmarking.

Richard Ingham wrote: ↑Wed Oct 14, 2026 2:26 pm If they want 3 up the NL need to get their own act together and align properly with EFL regulations and practices on financial matters and transfer windows.

The running of the NL is only slightly les of a shit show than it was the last time we were here.

I couldn’t agree more. Also from what I’ve seen so far this season I’m unsure wether the standard of football in the NL warrants three up three down either

Main Stand SeasonTct wrote: ↑Wed Oct 14, 2026 4:08 pm

Richard Ingham wrote: ↑Wed Oct 14, 2026 2:26 pm If they want 3 up the NL need to get their own act together and align properly with EFL regulations and practices on financial matters and transfer windows.

The running of the NL is only slightly les of a shit show than it was the last time we were here.

I couldn’t agree more. Also from what I’ve seen so far this season I’m unsure wether the standard of football in the NL warrants three up three down either

Agree and agree. (and pitches)
We’ve adopted a physical no-nonsense style that is now getting results and I would fancy us against any one in this league. Not sure it would cut it in the league above. I hope we get to find out of course.

Main Stand SeasonTct wrote: ↑Wed Oct 14, 2026 4:08 pm

Richard Ingham wrote: ↑Wed Oct 14, 2026 2:26 pm If they want 3 up the NL need to get their own act together and align properly with EFL regulations and practices on financial matters and transfer windows.

The running of the NL is only slightly les of a shit show than it was the last time we were here.

I couldn’t agree more. Also from what I’ve seen so far this season I’m unsure wether the standard of football in the NL warrants three up three down either

The Standard is shocking but teams that get promoted into the EFL seem to do ok, even we had 6 seasons, 4 out of the current top 7 in league 2 are ex-National League, and 2 are in the top 5 in league 1, but would the 3rd team promoted also do well. One thing the National League should ban are those plastic pitches. Hopefully new Investment arrives before 3up happens.

Would take a great deal of reform but the EFL taking over the NL and creating a L2 North and South would help with the rising costs for many teams. Must cost us a fortune with the number of Southern teams in the league with travelling costs. Then you get the issues of what happens below so no easy answers.


Agree plastic pitches need to go and needs to be the same salary cap as L2

sambino wrote: ↑Wed Oct 14, 2026 5:16 pm Would take a great deal of reform but the EFL taking over the NL and creating a L2 North and South would help with the rising costs for many teams. Must cost us a fortune with the number of Southern teams in the league with travelling costs. Then you get the issues of what happens below so no easy answers.


Agree plastic pitches need to go and needs to be the same salary cap as L2

And this is a problem. The National League does not enforce a rigid hard cap on squad budgets. If it happens, the natural pecking order of teams would adjust based on income revenues. Where do you place a club like Barrow if that was introduced, based on crowds and revenue streams. Would we be able to compete? It could only happen if the PL / EFL sky revenues flow down to NL. Theres a £1million drop between the EFL and NL.

Jonty wrote: ↑Wed Oct 14, 2026 5:30 pm

sambino wrote: ↑Wed Oct 14, 2026 5:16 pm Would take a great deal of reform but the EFL taking over the NL and creating a L2 North and South would help with the rising costs for many teams. Must cost us a fortune with the number of Southern teams in the league with travelling costs. Then you get the issues of what happens below so no easy answers.


Agree plastic pitches need to go and needs to be the same salary cap as L2

And this is a problem. The National League does not enforce a rigid hard cap on squad budgets. If it happens, the natural pecking order of teams would adjust based on income revenues. Where do you place a club like Barrow if that was introduced, based on crowds and revenue streams. Would we be able to compete? It could only happen if the PL / EFL sky revenues flow down to NL. Theres a £1million drop between the EFL and NL.

Without major investment the budget will drop next season as parachute payments fall. After year three it goes to nothing. Personally im not sure we will have a budget to compete after year two as Shearer had a 40% share so thats one hell of a financial hole to have to fill.

Main Stand SeasonTct wrote: ↑Wed Oct 14, 2026 5:46 pm

Jonty wrote: ↑Wed Oct 14, 2026 5:30 pm

And this is a problem. The National League does not enforce a rigid hard cap on squad budgets. If it happens, the natural pecking order of teams would adjust based on income revenues. Where do you place a club like Barrow if that was introduced, based on crowds and revenue streams. Would we be able to compete? It could only happen if the PL / EFL sky revenues flow down to NL. Theres a £1million drop between the EFL and NL.

Without major investment the budget will drop next season as parachute payments fall. After year three it goes to nothing. Personally im not sure we will have a budget to compete after year two as Shearer had a 40% share so thats one hell of a financial hole to have to fill.

Agree and its coming our way. This is why three up can only happen if there’s parity in the money distrupibution between EFL and NL.

This aside, There needs to be a long term sustainability plan for the club, (fans have been saying this for 20 years) but whilst we keep winning it gets pushed into the background.

Yes - Make the most of this season.

mall wrote: ↑Wed Oct 14, 2026 10:11 pm Yes - Make the most of this season.

Is the Club folding after this one.

behind the goals wrote: ↑Thu Oct 15, 2026 3:11 pm

mall wrote: ↑Wed Oct 14, 2026 10:11 pm Yes - Make the most of this season.

Is the Club folding after this one.

No but unless we get significant investment or promotion the playing budget will shrink once the parachute payments have gone
Shearers 40% shareholding won’t cover itself financially