Stephen Andrews

Full marks to the Bulls fans. All the ones I spoke to before, during and after the game were a credit to themselves and the club. If only all travelling fans to CP were as good. Fantastic stuff from Barrow today. Passion, guts, commitment and no little skill. A joy to watch. And big wraps to the Pop Side today, the support was outstanding, I'm sure the lads appreciated it.

Only going off what I was told mate.

Bullman couldn't get off work mate. Sensational stuff from the boys which is so joyous to see. I have spoken to 2 Bradford fans I know well today and both said we were the better team by miles and made no excuses whatsoever. They said we were fitter, faster and wanted it more. They also said Johnno was the best player on the park by far. Just wanted to show not all Bulls fans have strange views and can't take a defeat by a better team on the night.

I can confirm Halifax did a team sheet against Barrow in the recent league game and Goole did nothing at all for the 1895 cup game.

It wasn't just King, Silva and Costello we were missing today, you can add Tom Wilko, Greenwood and Ryan Brown to the list too. All 6 of those would more than likely have been in todays 17 if fit. Magnificent defensive display and took our chances when they came. I think everyone will be happy we have a week off next week! I hope the Brad Walker knockers will now appreciate what a good player he is now he has finally had a chance in his TRUE position.

Barrow v Crosfields in the Challenge Cup had a full printed programme. The 3 pre season games v Workington, Whitehaven and Salford all had colour team sheets.

I agree Dave. Very good attendance but hardly smashing a record. I would wager its not even "smashing a record" for a pre season game as Oldham and Rochdale used to get big crowds for the Law Cup games in the past.

Interestingly it isn't the first time we have played either side in the Challenge Cup. We played Maryport way back in 1938 and won 83-3 in a first round tie which was for many years the clubs biggest ever win in a competative fixture. We also reached Wembley this season losing to Salford 7-4 in the final. We played "the Soap" in 1966 again in the first round, winning by a narrow 11-2 scoreline on a rain soaked Craven Park pitch that resembled a ploughed field by all accounts. Newspaper reports of the time state Barrow were far from impressive and the result could well have been different had the game been played away.

I remember Ned Catic stupidly getting himself sent off the week before the final at Batley and being banned for 2 games. Andy Ellis was superb for us and I agree his time at Barrow was probably the best of his career. Good luck to both lads at Goole.

Having spoken to several long standing supporters from Keighley they were all in agreement Ellis Robson was an excellent signing for us. A try scoring second rower who can also play centre with excellent leadership qualities, now who does that remind you of? Personally I hope Stacky does another year with us but if he doesnt Robson sounds a very similar player to me. Alex Bishop had plenty of admirers at Haven before he got injured and again good judges have told me if we can keep him fit we have a player with bags of talent who will go well for us. King and Teare we have seen often enough to know what they are all about and should prove to be excellent additions. Of the players that have left, Magic Mike, Adam Jackson and Greg Burke hardly played so no real loss there. Ellis Gillam will be a major loss for sure and Max Clarke missed half the games last season and despite the odd good performance was for the majority of the time no better than average. With the DR with Salford where we should get some good short term players, a good relationship with Leigh where we may well get Brown and Rothwell at times plus a couple more permanent additions of our own I dont think its all doom and gloom by any means. We cant compete with some of the top teams financially in this league but we have to do the best we can and I feel we are. The late, great, Keith Nutter once told me this pearl of wisdom and he is absolutely right. If you make 6 signings at the start of a season and four turn out to be good youre doing well. That applies to every team not just Barrow. Other sides may be signing lots of players but will they all prove to be value for money? Only time will tell but I very much doubt it.

I dont know if they did them all season but for the 1895 cup game and also the league game (played early season) Whitehaven did a team sheet for both fixtures.

I have programmes available from all Barrow home games from 2024 at £2.50 each plus postage. Also, approx 700 Barrow home and away programmes from the 1940s to present day available for sale or exchange. Please PM me with any lists or requests. Thanks.

You didnt lose the last game at Crown Flatt Johnny but you should have lol. Referee admitted to me years after the game that he lost count of tackles on the very last set of the game and Dewsbury scored the equalising try in the final seconds on the EIGHTH tackle. I remember it being a great afternoon that day, loads of ex players there and a real end of an era. The famous old ground had seen better days and after the stand fell victim to arson the writing was always on the wall. The least said from a Barrow point of view of the opening match at the new ground, Dewsbury destroyed us with Les Holiday running riot. Do you remember it Vet???

Sorry forgot to add, Widnes did a colour printed team sheet against Barrow which was free.

Toulouse did an excellent 24 page printed programme for the recent home game v Barrow that was free with admission. Wakefield did a colour printed team sheet for the 1895 cup game against Barrow. Workington did a colour team sheet for the 1895 cup game against Barrow, both were free. Sheffield did an on line team sheet that was free to down load against Barrow as well as an excellent printed programme.