Barrow’s financial worry

Chairman David Sharpe has warned Barrow could go out of business this year.

The club have suffered a temporary financial shortfall due to a lack of home fixtures.

Sharpe told BBC Radio Cumbria: “Long-term, the prognosis is very good. We made an operating profit, but that money has been eaten up in paying off debts that belonged to the club in previous administrations.

“Whilst we’re sure we will be debt-free in two or three years, our short-term problems may cause us to close this year if not addressed.”

Sharpe and the team of directors took over at Craven Park in late 2011, and achieved immediate return to the Championship after the appointment of player Darren Holt as coach.

Former Barrow chairman Des Johnston was banned from rugby league for eight years for breaching operational rules, which led to Barrow’s relegation from the Championship.