How Barrow Raiders are taking Covid-19 in their stride

Josh McAllister

Photo belongs to Barrow Raiders

Despite games being played behind closed doors until at least the next phase of the lockdown easing in May, Barrow have been on the front foot and are ready to welcome fans back inside their ground this weekend.

The League 1 outfit have knocked down a terrace inside Craven Park and have set up a marquee, with 100 benches ready to go inside and on the pitch to allow fans to enjoy being back inside the stadium for the first time in over a year.

The club, who featured in the first round of the 2021 Challenge Cup, will also show their pre-season friendly away to Workington inside the marquee on Sunday, with fans invited to support their side.

Chairman Steve Neale added: “We’re almost completing renovating the ground, as we’ve knocked down a terrace and now have a marquee set up.

“The beer garden last year was a huge success and this year it is again proving to be very popular with a large amount of bookings, and we can’t wait to welcome fans and the general public back inside the ground after a long time.

“It’s been a great success and will help the club off-field with raising vital funds for the 2021 League 1 season and beyond, and the club looks forward to welcoming you all, including Sunday as we prepare to show our pre-season friendly against Workington live on the big screen.

“It will be great to see fans and almost a feeling of being back in the game and getting that club spirit going and seeing supporters back where they belong.

“So, when you feel safe to do so, we look forward to welcoming you back inside Craven Park.”

As well as the popular beer garden, the Raiders have been operating Lincoln’s, a takeaway delivery burger bar from within the club.

They have pop concerts planned for July, where they’re hoping to attract up to 5,000 spectators, as well as holding big-screen showings of the European Championships in the summer on the pitch.

Since the return of the community game too, the club has hosted “tig and pass” sessions, with 14 teams playing on the pitch on the last two Saturdays.

The Raiders have also adopted the former Barrow Island Ladies team as the new Barrow Raiders Women’s side, which hopes to challenge for the Championship title in 2021.

The men’s side, who will be among the title contenders in League 1, kick-off the league season with a trip to Coventry Bears on May 9.

League 1 Barrow Raiders