Harrogate Town v Barrow match thread

[Main Stand SeasonTct]

I think we've been punching above our weight for some time. I honestly believe that our future status is to be a National League club. No disgrace in that. One only has to look at the clubs currently in that league. Without a massive investment from somebody I can't see us being able to cope with the current or future financial pressure from being in EFL Div 2.

I whiole heartedly agree. The owners have and are doing a fantastic job but they have simply done a fantastic holding role in hope somebody comes in to help with the current financial burden they season on season they incurr to help push the club on. Hopefully that will happen sooner rather than later

[olefogey]

I think we've been punching above our weight for some time. I honestly believe that our future status is to be a National League club. No disgrace in that. One only has to look at the clubs currently in that league. Without a massive investment from somebody I can't see us being able to cope with the current or future financial pressure from being in EFL Div 2.

I whiole heartedly agree. The owners have and are doing a fantastic job but they have simply done a fantastic holding role in hope somebody comes in to help with the current financial burden they season on season they incurr to help push the club on. Hopefully that will happen sooner rather than later

Not really sure that being in the NL would be the answer. I know its a while ago since we were there, but Tony Keen always said it was the worst of all worlds, with relatively high wage and travel costs but no big annual subsidy which EFL 2 clubs receive. I think crowds would also dip dramatically, and we could well be struggling just as hard to survive, but at a lower level. Nobody pretends it is easy, but there are clubs of our size which manage to survive at EFL 2 level and, in my opinion, that is where all efforts should be concentrated.

[russell_anderson]

There are 4 clubs I can think of in our league who I would expect to get lower average attendances than us on a relatively even performance basis - Barnet, Bromley, Harrogate and Accrington - although there may even be one or two more. However, I suspect they will be owned by people much wealthier than our owners.

[mall]

'IF' we went down the club would lose a thousand or so off the gate straight away - a big chunk of revenue.

[HenneysKnee]

There are 4 clubs I can think of in our league who I would expect to get lower average attendances than us on a relatively even performance basis - Barnet, Bromley, Harrogate and Accrington - although there may even be one or two more. However, I suspect they will be owned by people much wealthier than our owners.

And away crowds gonna be a killer for us as well this season; be some real low away figures

[russell_anderson]

There are 4 clubs I can think of in our league who I would expect to get lower average attendances than us on a relatively even performance basis - Barnet, Bromley, Harrogate and Accrington - although there may even be one or two more. However, I suspect they will be owned by people much wealthier than our owners.

And away crowds gonna be a killer for us as well this season; be some real low away figures

Good point. Very true.

[Main Stand SeasonTct]

I whiole heartedly agree. The owners have and are doing a fantastic job but they have simply done a fantastic holding role in hope somebody comes in to help with the current financial burden they season on season they incurr to help push the club on. Hopefully that will happen sooner rather than later

Not really sure that being in the NL would be the answer. I know its a while ago since we were there, but Tony Keen always said it was the worst of all worlds, with relatively high wage and travel costs but no big annual subsidy which EFL 2 clubs receive. I think crowds would also dip dramatically, and we could well be struggling just as hard to survive, but at a lower level. Nobody pretends it is easy, but there are clubs of our size which manage to survive at EFL 2 level and, in my opinion, that is where all efforts should be concentrated.

Absolutely all efforts should be put into surviving in league 2 and I’m certain they are. The problem we have is that it’s getting harder and harder for us to do that.

[Gazza]

Given everything that has and is being said about the financial situation and the fact it’s only going to be even more challenging moving forward, then we need investment and soon!!

[Jonty]

Not really sure that being in the NL would be the answer. I know its a while ago since we were there, but Tony Keen always said it was the worst of all worlds, with relatively high wage and travel costs but no big annual subsidy which EFL 2 clubs receive. I think crowds would also dip dramatically, and we could well be struggling just as hard to survive, but at a lower level. Nobody pretends it is easy, but there are clubs of our size which manage to survive at EFL 2 level and, in my opinion, that is where all efforts should be concentrated.

Absolutely all efforts should be put into surviving in league 2 and I’m certain they are. The problem we have is that it’s getting harder and harder for us to do that.

To remain competitive, the operating costs to the club would have to be similar in NL where there are some big spenders, but the significant loss in revenue from being in the EFL would hit us massively. Lower crowds, lower sponsorships and significantly less TV revenues.

Relegation would set us back massively. Let’s not even think about it

Tony Keen called it the “brutal league” and he was absolutely right.


Our situation has never changed in terms of what we have to do in the transfer market. We have to be savvy and pick up players who can make a difference. It makes no odds if they are 18 or 36, but they have to be consistently playing games. Think Tom White. Always ready for a long season.

[blue nige]

We haven't done it Jonty, I fear the worst !

[Griffin]

Whereas I agree with many of the comments on this thread, I still think that it is too early to be panicking.
If my memory serves, last season we won 4 of our first 6 games, including the 4-0 thrashing of Port Vale who were promoted.
That good form didn't last: perhaps our current poor form won't either. We can buy hope.

[blue nige]

Whereas I agree with many of the comments on this thread, I still think that it is too early to be panicking.
If my memory serves, last season we won 4 of our first 6 games, including the 4-0 thrashing of Port Vale who were promoted.
That good form didn't last: perhaps our current poor form won't either. We can buy hope.

We had a better team then, it's completely different now ,new players trying to adapt and key players injured, it couldn't be any worse!

[Barrow afc 2018]

I don’t care what the situation is, this manager and BoD won’t let us down. The chips are down yes but we’ve been here before let’s just do what we always do and get right behind the lads and the club.

[mall]

I also now fear the worst after that Horrorgate debacle. Having said that, whoever the player is that's coming in, along with Harper and MJ when fit again could provide the inspiration to start to push us up the table.

[CH BAFC]

Regarding our future if we want to keep competing at an EFL level with investment etc.... who would come in and buy us/invest in us..... can't see us being very lucrative for opportunities or investing into.