the man

Bucket collection at Barrow on Sunday. We can't afford to lose clubs like Widnes.

He's out for 6 weeks. He had a scan last week which confirmed the damage. He has been playing through the injury but has now been told to rest for fear of making it worse. If there is no improvement in 6 weeks then he may require surgery.

We can't do what we've always done and expect different results. If we don't try things to improve the crowds we won't improve the crowds. We'll look at the numbers after the game and see if we have been impacted financially or indeed we have gained from the promotion. It isn't an exact science because we won't know who came who wouldn't have bothered but after our hammering at York and the big football match on the TV we can't afford to just sit there and hope for the best.

Barrow Raiders Published by Steve Neale · Just now · Barrow Raiders are delighted to offer a fantastic deal for Sunday's game versus Dewsbury. At 1pm Hindpool and Askam under 14s lock horns in a curtain raiser and for every supporter who is in the ground before the 1pm kick off time entry is only £5. That's a massive £12 off the entry price. The Raiders Bar will be open and Man Utd v Liverpool is being shown from 2.05pm. So to all our fans who drink in the surrounding watering holes get yourselves to the ground early for a great saving.And don't forget any number of kids go free with one paying adult. Please share.

Barrow Raiders Barrow Raiders are delighted to offer a fantastic deal for Sunday's game versus Dewsbury. At 1pm Hindpool and Askam under 14s lock horns in a curtain raiser and for every supporter who is in the ground before the 1pm kick off time entry is only £5. That's a massive £12 off the entry price. The Raiders Bar will be open and Man Utd v Liverpool is being shown from 2.05pm. So to all our fans who drink in the surrounding watering holes get yourselves to the ground early for a great saving.And don't forget any number of kids go free with one paying adult. Please share.

There's still a lot of money difference based on league position

I've had a lot of complaints about this, it was also still showing a minute to go in the Wigan game when the hooter went. It isn't good enough and it will be fixed for the next fixture.

Gareth Hock has not left the club, he is having his operation next week and is looking to get back to fitness some time in May. We did sign Johnson because we thought we were a little light in the front row with losing Bullock and Susino and only replacing like for like with Minoga. We may not have been so keen if Gareth was fit as the plan was to hold some money back for mid-season but I think we have made the right move for now. I've said before if the crowds and sponsors continue to back us then we can apply for an increase in our salary cap. Alternatively, directors can personally guarantee increased spending. Ideally the squad we have put together, with players like Hock and Toal to come back, should have enough quality to achieve our mid-table ambitions

We have use of the 4G pitch at the college on Tuesdays and now have had an offer from the Park to use their facilities, so may go there on Thursday, Saturday we do the team run - usually on Craven Park.

He came off after a blow to the head for a mandatory test. He passed the test but had a headache so we decided to keep him off. He'll be fine for next week.

We have actually been back to them with an approach to see if we could purchase or lease the facility and the answer came back as a firm no

In hindsight £15 may be a little high but we were promised, even up to last week, a large % of the first team. It will still be a stiff test and might allow us to assess some potential loan signings. The Barrow public are really backing us and we have promoted heavily the free kids. The income from tomorrow's gate could really set us up for the season and allow us to push forward with plans including strengthening the team next year I had four children and when I took them to the cinema I didn't get much change out of £50 for a day out. I think we have given the families something affordable

Mossop -slight injury - will be fine for the start of the season D Toal - back spasm in training last week - left out as a precaution M Aspinwall - just looking after him - he's fine G Hock - Due back in May S Toal - ahead of schedule, running well, back May, possibly earlier L Cresswell - should be available for the start of the season J Stack - should be available for the start of the season B Carter - ankle injury - nothing too serious - not sure when he's back W .Puara - can't wait to start S. Amean - ditto W.Minoga - suffering from the drop in temperature and has picked up a virus - antibiotics should sort it out

Updates only. They are at the ground next week for the Whitehaven fixture

A club determined to increase their fan-base: "For all games next season kids go free with a paying adult. However, we just want to explain that a little better. A paying adult can bring any number of kids. A teacher can bring their class, a rugby coach can bring their team, a dance school can bring every child dancer. Barrow Raiders are determined to introduce the next generation of supporters and bring some atmosphere to the ground. We want The Matt Johnson Prestige Stadium to be the place to be every Sunday afternoon."