Barrow Rising and the Mythical Field of Dreams

[McMark]

While we wait for the big March Q&A with the owners for any possible news vis-à-vis the multi-use shared facility and Barrow Rising rumours, I seem to remember that Paul Casson handed over the club free of charge to Hornby & Co back in the day. So it might just prove a case of swings and roundabouts for them financially if such a move was ever to be on the cards. And despite what looks like a failed investment drive, let’s hope the March Q&A brings good news of some kind or other, even if it is just to keep calm and carry on.

Looking back, PC’s legacy is a good one I think; albeit rather haphazard in approach, he set the ball rolling for an unlikely promotion and his heart (and wallet) were certainly in the right place. Unfortunately he himself wasn’t in the right place often enough and perhaps he lacked a competent locally-based right-hand man/woman to make some of his objectives more structured, properly-funded and achievable. However, his final act of handing over the keys F.O.C. was an amazing and unprecedented act of generosity from any one supporter I would imagine.

Agree regarding Paul Casson he will in the fullness of time go down as the saviour of our club.
He trusted family and friends with the day to day running our club and that could only carry the club so far and it didn’t always go right. But would anyone else of done things differently given the opportunity, I very much doubt it!
I ultimately think it was the sharks within the game (agents, players and associates) that feasted on our football naivety costing the club so many that eventually saw him drawing up stumps and passing the baton on. His final act showed real class that’s for sure.

[bluessupporter]

I ultimately think it was the sharks within the game (agents, players and associates) that feasted on our football naivety costing the club so many

Good job that's not still happening!

[Wintergreen]

Westmorland and Furness council recently announced Muse Places Ltd as its strategic development partner for the eternal Marina Village project. To be honest I thought this project was a lot further on than this having been ongoing for so long. However, it can also be seen as the big time developers & partners moving into the town, and as we have seen within the BAE site, once they start a lot can happen in a short space of time. If any multi-use facility were to gain traction with the movers and shakers of Westmorland and Furness & Team Barrow, it would be a great pity if AFC couldn’t find a way to get on board with it to become key stakeholders.

A ‘no’ from the club would totally scupper any such proposal I think, which would be a big loss not only for the football club, but also the Barrow Rising project, future supporters and the community itself. Reading up on modern development processes it would seem that the ‘sports village’ type developments are key to attract significant investment, generate year-round income and provide modern community stadia and community leisure facilities.

‘No deal’ would also probably mean being lumbered with Holker Street for another 100 years and Cowps knows how many more make do and mend fixes and bolt-on carbuncles will occur before the whole thing becomes a total embarrassment to the town. Meanwhile, even the more well established and well appointed EFL2 clubs now see the need for a different model to strive for sustainability via multi-use. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-m ... e-61792280

[Main Stand SeasonTct]

Westmorland and Furness council recently announced Muse Places Ltd as its strategic development partner for the eternal Marina Village project. To be honest I thought this project was a lot further on than this having been ongoing for so long. However, it can also be seen as the big time developers & partners moving into the town, and as we have seen within the BAE site, once they start a lot can happen in a short space of time. If any multi-use facility were to gain traction with the movers and shakers of Westmorland and Furness & Team Barrow, it would be a great pity if AFC couldn’t find a way to get on board with it to become key stakeholders.

A ‘no’ from the club would totally scupper any such proposal I think, which would be a big loss not only for the football club, but also the Barrow Rising project, future supporters and the community itself. Reading up on modern development processes it would seem that the ‘sports village’ type developments are key to attract significant investment, generate year-round income and provide modern community stadia and community leisure facilities.

‘No deal’ would also probably mean being lumbered with Holker Street for another 100 years and Cowps knows how many more make do and mend fixes and bolt-on carbuncles will occur before the whole thing becomes a total embarrassment to the town. Meanwhile, even the more well established and well appointed EFL2 clubs now see the need for a different model to strive for sustainability via multi-use. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-m ... e-61792280

Both professional clubs in the town simply HAVE to be around the table and in discussions with Team Barrow regarding a Muti use facility similar to what they have in York IMO. To not to be would be letting everyone down and a severe dereliction of duty from the owners of Barrow Raiders and Barrow AFC.

[Bombadel]

We can’t sell out holker street, why do we want a new ground? This topic has been covered on here to death, and pointed out many times that we’d be financially worse off (for example BAE hire the cross bar on a regular basis, would we have to split that with the egg chasers?

[Wintergreen]

We can’t sell out holker street, why do we want a new ground? This topic has been covered on here to death, and pointed out many times that we’d be financially worse off (for example BAE hire the cross bar on a regular basis, would we have to split that with the egg chasers?

'We can't sell out Holker St'? Not at the moment no - but I've been in there with 16,000 others and seen people locked out for an FA Trophy game, so that sort of thing is a bit up and down historically, but a 6000 seater would do it I think. I'm not sure of any would-be operational details of course but in essence I'd imagine the two clubs would be totally independent of each other with separate office spaces. The club would get a cut of any sponsorship, corporate arrangements and concession outlets on the day but the main factors would be no more maintenance headaches and outlay, and a modern day facility which would be better for financial planning I would think.

[Main Stand SeasonTct]

We can’t sell out holker street, why do we want a new ground? This topic has been covered on here to death, and pointed out many times that we’d be financially worse off (for example BAE hire the cross bar on a regular basis, would we have to split that with the egg chasers?

BAE invested alot of money in the facility at Hawcoat Park recently to use for similar events they held at at The Crossbar. Im not saying they still don't use it but id imagine Hawcoat Park will now be there preferred place of use for such things. We also wouldn't be worse of as we wouldn't have to keep spending money to keep the ground up to scratch. Just last summer the club had to fork out £70k to have an electrical cable installed.

[BarrowLad71]

It’s never going to happen , the football aren’t interested it makes absolutely no sense for us to go down that route.

As has been said many times by the BOD , they aren’t interested

Anyways the sports stadium isn’t even in the latest plans so forget about it.

[Jonty]

The question to ask is- Can the football club move forward in it’s current location and financial reliability on maintaining football league status and owners who have dug deep continually?

There has to be a plan for long term financial security and sustainability of the football club- post this ownership. We are literally operating on a season by season basis and the financial support of the owners. There are half a dozen teams in the National League with average attendances better than ours and probably twice as many again with better facilities than HS, academies, youth teams etc

Everything surrounding the club is temporary and we at risk of falling off a cliff if we don't get results on the pitch.

The BOD won’t be there forever, so if there is a chance for them to secure long term sustainability in a modern facility and make the club more attractive to investment, why would they not be interested? A shared stadium ownership, but both clubs operating as their own business could work and needs to be looked at.

Yes, there will always be naysayers and there will always be drawbacks and trade-offs, but with fan engagement and alleviating concerns these could be overcome.

We keep mentioning the York Stadium as a success story. They have doubled their crowds, the rugby is lining up to play Super League. 10 years ago they were playing in front of 300. Why not here? With all that is planned for the town and the growth forecast.

[Main Stand SeasonTct]

Yes, there will always be naysayers and there will always be drawbacks and trade-offs, but with fan engagement and alleviating concerns these could be overcome.

We keep mentioning the York Stadium as a success story. They have doubled their crowds, the rugby is lining up to play Super League. 10 years ago they were playing in front of 300. Why not here? With all that is planned for the town and the growth forecast.

I agree 100%. The opportunity has to be explored and with the growth forecast for the town I see no reason why Barrow cannot have something similar to York.

[AFC Blue]

Take a look at the raiders pitch after the first game of the season last weekend.
We will always be split on a joint stadium but still carries a massive NO from me.
York stadium 45 million. Keep dreaming chaps, zero chance of it happening here.
We can't even get a full sized artificial pitch in the town

[Main Stand SeasonTct]

Take a look at the raiders pitch after the first game of the season last weekend.
We will always be split on a joint stadium but still carries a massive NO from me.
York stadium 45 million. Keep dreaming chaps, zero chance of it happening here.
We can't even get a full sized artificial pitch in the town

The pitch argument just does not stand up these days. Craven park has practically no money spent on it hence the poor condition of is in. Modern day technology in pitches has come on leaps and bounds and many rugby and football clubs including York share pitches with no issues arising.
Yes Yorks was £40 million but that was made up from both publi. and private investment.
The government are throwing over £200 million into Barrow which is basically seed money to attract the private in investment into the town needed to fullfill the future plans for Barrow. An all purpose multi use community stadium would attract that private investment

[Jonty]

Take a look at the raiders pitch after the first game of the season last weekend.
We will always be split on a joint stadium but still carries a massive NO from me.
York stadium 45 million. Keep dreaming chaps, zero chance of it happening here.
We can't even get a full sized artificial pitch in the town

The pitch argument just does not stand up these days. Craven park has practically no money spent on it hence the poor condition of is in. Modern day technology in pitches has come on leaps and bounds and many rugby and football clubs including York share pitches with no issues arising.
Yes Yorks was £40 million but that was made up from both publi. and private investment.
The government are throwing over £200 million into Barrow which is basically seed money to attract the private in investment into the town needed to fullfill the future plans for Barrow. An all purpose multi use community stadium would attract that private investment

There’s always going to be people who say no and will never change that view.
At present, Both clubs are playing in crumbling money drain stadiums without ever realising full potential. New ground, shared ground or stay put, The club needs to have a plan to secure the long term financial stability and sustainability.

[Barrow afc 2018]

That’s the thing Jonty the whole town has never had a plan, there’s a total lack of ambition and that’s why we’ll always be little ole Barrow. The people that make all the decisions don’t even live in the town. It’s our club but it doesn’t belong to us, we want great things but get told nothing. We don’t even have any aspirations apart from hoping theres two worse teams than us.
That said why the hell should we not grasp at straws and hope yes I hate using that word hope that we can get something from the town fund, we need our heads looking should this not be the case.

[mall]

forget it. nothing will happen. all that money will go to lining the pockets of a certain few.