Benni

[ruins]

I hardly post anymore, no wonder why. I hope your Christmas is more enjoyable than " any" of the posts you have ever made. Jesus wept. Pete Wild, please finish one point outside the play offs. We can then just being "little old Barrow" and just plod along forever. I can still remember going to Frickley in the Unidump league, and there were more disused coal mines than fans ! Win as many games as you can Pete, and achieve what you believe in. There will be dips now and again, we know that, but it's "Enjoyable" going to watch the team now.

You beat me to it mate. I don't understand this forum at times.

[Suffolk Blue]

No team will turn down a shot at promotion. The very fact of getting there would be fantastic especially if that were via a wembley play-off final. Thats exactly what Morecambe did a couple of seasons ago when their budget was arguably no bigger than ours. So, it can be done. On the other hand, the Shrimpers do not have the basis of a sustainable business or squad to compete at League One level and despite doing really well to stay up last season, the force of gravity on their position is inexorable. They will come back down almost certainly this year.

Those that argue that we need to develop the squad and club infrastructure before thinking about promotion are not so much disparaging the prosepect of promotion, not even really forecasing the likelihood of subsequent relegation. It's whether the club could survive that process with a potentially healthy League Two future still in place at the ed of it. Look at Gillingham. Their ground is probably the most attractive building in Gillingham. They have a decent level of support and a manager thought to have potential. But they are fighting for their lives now to stay in the Division. Doncaster, Wimbledon and Crewe also started the season very indifferently having come down from League One despite each of them arguably having a much better club infrastructure than our own.

In those three cases, the teams seemed to have halted the slide towards oblivion and perhaps that is a testament to a strength and resilience in those clubs that has been built up over a number of years. There are no fantastic parachute payments between L1 and L2 so there are few real "yo-yo" teams. They all to some extent have to begin again.

It's a difficult one. There's no point being in the EFL if we have no ambition and time waits for no man (or woman) in this game. But promotion would create as great a risk to the club as it would an opportunity. The issue would be - could the club manage that risk?

[Hitthebar22]

No team will turn down a shot at promotion. The very fact of getting there would be fantastic especially if that were via a wembley play-off final. Thats exactly what Morecambe did a couple of seasons ago when their budget was arguably no bigger than ours. So, it can be done. On the other hand, the Shrimpers do not have the basis of a sustainable business or squad to compete at League One level and despite doing really well to stay up last season, the force of gravity on their position is inexorable. They will come back down almost certainly this year.

Those that argue that we need to develop the squad and club infrastructure before thinking about promotion are not so much disparaging the prosepect of promotion, not even really forecasing the likelihood of subsequent relegation. It's whether the club could survive that process with a potentially healthy League Two future still in place at the ed of it. Look at Gillingham. Their ground is probably the most attractive building in Gillingham. They have a decent level of support and a manager thought to have potential. But they are fighting for their lives now to stay in the Division. Doncaster, Wimbledon and Crewe also started the season very indifferently having come down from League One despite each of them arguably having a much better club infrastructure than our own.

In those three cases, the teams seemed to have halted the slide towards oblivion and perhaps that is a testament to a strength and resilience in those clubs that has been built up over a number of years. There are no fantastic parachute payments between L1 and L2 so there are few real "yo-yo" teams. They all to some extent have to begin again.

It's a difficult one. There's no point being in the EFL if we have no ambition and time waits for no man (or woman) in this game. But promotion would create as great a risk to the club as it would an opportunity. The issue would be - could the club manage that risk?

It’s late at night after a few drinks, but have to say this post strikes me as massively over thinking. Leave the infrastructure to those in control, and just get on with trying to win every game we play.

[McMark]

No team will turn down a shot at promotion. The very fact of getting there would be fantastic especially if that were via a wembley play-off final. Thats exactly what Morecambe did a couple of seasons ago when their budget was arguably no bigger than ours. So, it can be done. On the other hand, the Shrimpers do not have the basis of a sustainable business or squad to compete at League One level and despite doing really well to stay up last season, the force of gravity on their position is inexorable. They will come back down almost certainly this year.

Those that argue that we need to develop the squad and club infrastructure before thinking about promotion are not so much disparaging the prosepect of promotion, not even really forecasing the likelihood of subsequent relegation. It's whether the club could survive that process with a potentially healthy League Two future still in place at the ed of it. Look at Gillingham. Their ground is probably the most attractive building in Gillingham. They have a decent level of support and a manager thought to have potential. But they are fighting for their lives now to stay in the Division. Doncaster, Wimbledon and Crewe also started the season very indifferently having come down from League One despite each of them arguably having a much better club infrastructure than our own.

In those three cases, the teams seemed to have halted the slide towards oblivion and perhaps that is a testament to a strength and resilience in those clubs that has been built up over a number of years. There are no fantastic parachute payments between L1 and L2 so there are few real "yo-yo" teams. They all to some extent have to begin again.

It's a difficult one. There's no point being in the EFL if we have no ambition and time waits for no man (or woman) in this game. But promotion would create as great a risk to the club as it would an opportunity. The issue would be - could the club manage that risk?

Can’t argue with any of the above and of course the club and fans would jump at the chance of promotion if it came along. But I too can’t help feeling at this stage in our stuttering development off the pitch that it would ultimately cause us more harm than good unless there were willing extra investors out there ready and waiting to come on board ready and able to throw a heck of a lot of money at it from the off.
But initially would we care anyway as the euphoria around the town and beyond would be monumental.

[mall]

Our ambition should be to stabilise ourselves while developing the clubs infrastructure which would progress the club on and off the field, for the most important thing for every club in the football pyramid is to have the ambition enough to drive the club in a forward direction but most crucially, its the speed of that forward direction that will determine the clubs future.

[HenneysKnee]

This has absolutely nothing to do with Benni but the main obvious difference between the two clubs is Morecambe had a shiny new ground; we have as Tony Shearer always says “a money pit”

[Lancaster Branch]

Go up, budget to spend what you reasonably can and then if that’s not enough, come back down and try again.

As for BSB, good to see him notching at that level, maybe send him to Alty or somesuch for the second half of the season?

[MisterPleasant]

Benni's a keeper (if you see what I mean) as he extends his contract to the end of the season. Loan at Curzon renewed for a further month:

https://www.barrowafc.com/news/2023/jan ... dgnEQ1cUmc

[Etsjb]

No team will turn down a shot at promotion. The very fact of getting there would be fantastic especially if that were via a wembley play-off final. Thats exactly what Morecambe did a couple of seasons ago when their budget was arguably no bigger than ours. So, it can be done. On the other hand, the Shrimpers do not have the basis of a sustainable business or squad to compete at League One level and despite doing really well to stay up last season, the force of gravity on their position is inexorable. They will come back down almost certainly this year.

Those that argue that we need to develop the squad and club infrastructure before thinking about promotion are not so much disparaging the prosepect of promotion, not even really forecasing the likelihood of subsequent relegation. It's whether the club could survive that process with a potentially healthy League Two future still in place at the ed of it. Look at Gillingham. Their ground is probably the most attractive building in Gillingham. They have a decent level of support and a manager thought to have potential. But they are fighting for their lives now to stay in the Division. Doncaster, Wimbledon and Crewe also started the season very indifferently having come down from League One despite each of them arguably having a much better club infrastructure than our own.

In those three cases, the teams seemed to have halted the slide towards oblivion and perhaps that is a testament to a strength and resilience in those clubs that has been built up over a number of years. There are no fantastic parachute payments between L1 and L2 so there are few real "yo-yo" teams. They all to some extent have to begin again.

It's a difficult one. There's no point being in the EFL if we have no ambition and time waits for no man (or woman) in this game. But promotion would create as great a risk to the club as it would an opportunity. The issue would be - could the club manage that risk?

What a great post, really enjoyed the read.

I think if we were to get promoted the club would find the money to jump through the necessary hoops needed to meet the EFL1 criteria, sponsor fees would increase and more companies would want to get involved. The BOD would find a way, of course they would, why would they not?

Obviously it would be a massive challenge but we’ve got to give it a go.

[32mile_cul-de-sac]

Look at Yeovil, they even managed to get to the championship but alas every team has a natural level and will eventually find its way there.

[Bradders]

Way off topic this. But I’d happily “survive” in league two forever I also remember the uni dump days that’s where my passion was ignited. The shrimps coming down to join us would be a cherry on a cake for me and I would have it and eat it. Be careful what you wish for and remember we are massively punching until we do indeed have the infrastructure to match our league position.

[AFC Blue]

No team will turn down a shot at promotion. The very fact of getting there would be fantastic especially if that were via a wembley play-off final. Thats exactly what Morecambe did a couple of seasons ago when their budget was arguably no bigger than ours. So, it can be done. On the other hand, the Shrimpers do not have the basis of a sustainable business or squad to compete at League One level and despite doing really well to stay up last season, the force of gravity on their position is inexorable. They will come back down almost certainly this year.

Those that argue that we need to develop the squad and club infrastructure before thinking about promotion are not so much disparaging the prosepect of promotion, not even really forecasing the likelihood of subsequent relegation. It's whether the club could survive that process with a potentially healthy League Two future still in place at the ed of it. Look at Gillingham. Their ground is probably the most attractive building in Gillingham. They have a decent level of support and a manager thought to have potential. But they are fighting for their lives now to stay in the Division. Doncaster, Wimbledon and Crewe also started the season very indifferently having come down from League One despite each of them arguably having a much better club infrastructure than our own.

In those three cases, the teams seemed to have halted the slide towards oblivion and perhaps that is a testament to a strength and resilience in those clubs that has been built up over a number of years. There are no fantastic parachute payments between L1 and L2 so there are few real "yo-yo" teams. They all to some extent have to begin again.

It's a difficult one. There's no point being in the EFL if we have no ambition and time waits for no man (or woman) in this game. But promotion would create as great a risk to the club as it would an opportunity. The issue would be - could the club manage that risk?

What a great post, really enjoyed the read.

I think if we were to get promoted the club would find the money to jump through the necessary hoops needed to meet the EFL1 criteria, sponsor fees would increase and more companies would want to get involved. The BOD would find a way, of course they would, why would they not?

Obviously it would be a massive challenge but we’ve got to give it a go.

Great posts....love it
Unfortunately we are miles off it. We can't even reply to emails, phone calls or letters !!!

[holkerboy]

Great posts....love it
Unfortunately we are miles off it. We can't even reply to emails, phone calls or letters !!!

Bring it up at the open meeting on Friday.

[Etsjb]

What a great post, really enjoyed the read.

I think if we were to get promoted the club would find the money to jump through the necessary hoops needed to meet the EFL1 criteria, sponsor fees would increase and more companies would want to get involved. The BOD would find a way, of course they would, why would they not?

Obviously it would be a massive challenge but we’ve got to give it a go.

Great posts....love it
Unfortunately we are miles off it. We can't even reply to emails, phone calls or letters !!!

We probably are miles of it, in many aspects on and off the field but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have aspirations to be better and go higher. One swallow doesn’t make a summer, also one person not getting their emails responded to doesn’t make a bad club. Have you tried door stopping? How much do you want your answers…