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Looks like we've found a bogie team! A 4-1 defeat away to Rushden & Diamonds wasn't the result we were looking for, especially after they had beaten 6-1 earlier in the season at Holker Street. Like we did back then, we have to scrub that game out of our minds straight away. We have got to get the mind set back that has taken the team on a strong run over the last few months. This Saturday is massively important to the club with Gateshead at home in the FA Trophy. We know what it means to the town and we want to do well as it will help to further establish the club at the level we are currently at.

Mid-week saw us knocked out of the Lancashire Cup and, like Darren said in his post match interview, it was hopefully a blessing in disguise. We didn't want to loose but we did in circumstances that weren't the best. We found out very late that some poorly communicated changes to the registration laws for the cup meant that 3 players we wanted in the squad could not play. Not ideal, and I'll have to say I felt for Russell Dodd. Russell does an amazing job for this football club the board and managers have the highest regard for the job he does. We've seen over the years many clubs loose points or been thrown out of cups because of paperwork mistakes. Russ's diligence and commitment to the club is second to none and you can rest assured we are in the best hands when it comes to FA rules. Unfortunately this one came out very late on and too late for us to react, but it was down to Russ that it did come out because of his questioning, but that is far better than being thrown out after the game. A 4 -2 defeat to Southport after extra time was the outcome; again not ideal but let's not read to much into the game and lets focus on what we need to focus on, the League first and foremost, but then the FA Trophy.

We want and we need to a big crowd today to get behind the lads. Our new signing Nick is not available, but we know we've still got what it takes to get a result, the pitch is looking good and it's the first time we've had a game at Holker Street since Boxing Day. We've set the challenge of a 2010 average until the end of the season. Now can we deliver? It's a big ask, but I do feel that the team and club deserve that support. Don't forget it's free flags for the kids coming in on a family ticket purchased in the Club Shop and the new car park behind the popular side is also complete so access will be better than ever. The Bar will be open for 12:00 as usual on Saturday so why not come and watch the early match on Sky and soak up some of the atmosphere prior to the game. Games like today are massive for the club, we haven't had a good FA trophy run for some years and hopefully today we can change that and progress and keep the Wembley dream alive.

At half time you will see a presentation take place where Steve McCullough will hand to my Dad the replica FA trophy back to the club. It has been kept in safe hand through the turmoil of the last 10-15 years to ensure it always remains part of the club and we thank Steve for that. We feel the club is now in the right position to be able to proudly show off the cup. We will be putting in one of the newly created rooms for everyone to see along with other mementoes that we have pick up over the years including the gifts from Middlesbrough and Sunderland. This club is something the town can be very proud of and the investment in the short term is helping us to deliver this, but it's the long term that we are also focusing on and, as reported at the AGM, we are working on a feasibility study and looking at what potential we have with the ground we own.

Over the past few weeks there has been many meetings taking place to formalise what we are doing and we have progress significantly. I presented to the early findings to the board last week to get the ok for further works. This week we have commissioned a company to take this work to the next step which will deliver the full feasibility package to the club identify exactly what we can achieve and how that can be funded. The initial work has been positive but for obvious reason I can not enlighten you all until all the final work has been completed. Once this has been done we will present to the members of the club exactly what our options are.

A big part of doing these studies is about the club itself and its potential. It's no good trying to get investment and redevelopment if the underpinning reason is not strong enough. So it is important we get the big crowds and the backing from the town. So please, starting today against Gateshead let get behind the team because it's not just about now, it's about the next generation of Barrow AFC fans and beyond.

See you at the game.

Other Football News Articles

Cooky back for more - posted 7th September 2010

Barrow Look For Nicholas Loan Deal - posted 7th September 2010

Turnstile Staff Wanted - posted 3rd September 2010

Manager/Player of the Month awards for August - posted 2nd September 2010

Peo Brothers Make History - posted 2nd September 2010

Bath City bar open to visiting supporters - posted 1st September 2010

Eastbourne Hospitality Packages - September 11th - posted 1st September 2010

FA Trophy 2010 DVD - posted 1st September 2010

Milne to go out on loan - posted 26th August 2010

Segregation for Darlington game - posted 26th August 2010

Wrexham FC hospitality package available to Barrow fans this Saturday - posted 23rd August 2010

Bank Holiday Monday £30 Corporate Hospitality Package - posted 23rd August 2010

Conference sign TV deal with Premier Sports TV - posted 20th August 2010

Edwards rejoins AFC - posted 20th August 2010

Visiting Fans Information for trip to York City - 24/8/10 - posted 17th August 2010

Gateshead Preview - posted 17th August 2010

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