We begin a look back on the past campaign with a look at the opening month of 2021/22 as Mark Cooper’s men made an encouraging start in League Two.
Following the appointment of Mark Cooper at the end of May, the new Bluebirds boss got straight down to business and no fewer than seven new signings had arrived in June, while Jason Taylor had taken on a Player Coach role.
Record Season Ticket sales were recorded during the summer but there was a blow to come in July when forward Scott Quigley expressed a desire to leave and completed a move to Stockport County.
Pre-season advanced largely without incident, though Tom Beadling picked up a knee injury which was to keep him out of the first part of the new term.
The first day of the 2021/22 season saw Barrow begin an epic voyage which would see them cover more than 9,000 miles during the campaign when they travelled to Stevenage for a game which ended in a 1-0 defeat.
Dimitri Sea’s spectacular overhead kick then settled a Carabao Cup tie with Scunthorpe United before Mark Cooper’s men won an absorbing contest with Hartlepool United 3-2 thanks to goals from Offrande Zanzala, Josh Gordon and Sea.
In the lead-up to the game, Patrick Brough handed the Club a boost when he agreed an extended contract. Whilst The Bluebirds also signed another landmark deal which saw Holker Street officially renamed as The Dunes Hotel Stadium.
A goalless draw with Exeter City was followed by a frustrating defeat at Harrogate Town before The Bluebirds returned home to a sell out Dunes Hotel Stadium to host Aston Villa in a televised Carabao Cup Second Round tie. The Premier League’s young line-up proved too hot to handle and they ran out 6-0 winners in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
Barrow took a point against ambitious Bristol Rovers despite the early red card for Mark Ellis, while the month ended with a 2-2 draw at Accrington Stanley in the Papa John’s Trophy.
During the game at Accrington, work behind the scenes meant the Club completed and announced the signings of Leeds United duo, Jordan Stevens and Robbie Gotts.
Moment of the Month
The 3-2 win over Hartlepool United was a brilliant way for The Bluebirds to kick-off their home league campaign against a side full of confidence and momentum following promotion.
It took a lot of character and resilience as Pools twice came from behind to level, only for Dimitri Sea to come off the bench and fire a winner in front of one of the biggest home league crowds of the season.
Playing Record
