GRASSROOTS teams in the Barrow area remain angry over the Rugby Football League’s restructuring proposals, which are due to take effect from next spring.
Former Barrow League public relations officer Paddy McAteer, who now fills the role of Rugby League correspondent for the North West Evening Mail, said: “Clubs in the district are up in arms.
“What has caused massive concerns for Barrow (and West Cumbria, along with the National Conference and North West Men’s Leagues) is that they were not consulted until the structure was well in place.
“Meetings with RFL personnel, including Martin Coyd, who is the chair of the RFL’s Community Board and also an executive director of the RFL, have taken place over the past few days.
“Clubs, despite airing their views, have been told in no uncertain terms that there is no going back.”
He continued: “Millom and Barrow Island have been members of the NCL for several decades, while Askam also spent years in the competition.
“Ulverston, Dalton, Hindpool, Roose Pioneers and Askam have all featured in the North West Men’s League along with Walney, who have not had a team for two years.
“These clubs will now go into a National Conference Cumbria league which will also involve Millom, Barrow Island, Distington, Ellenborough, Hensingham, Maryport and Seaton.
“The two leagues below will consist of mainly ‘A’ teams. The Barrow area will include Barrow Island A, Dalton A, Hindpool A, Millom A and Ulverston A while the Cumbria Premier Division is Askam, Cockermouth, Flimby, Kells A, Lowca, Wath Brow A and Roose Pioneers.”
McAteer secured the views of several coaches of Barrow-based clubs, none of whom were in favour of the restructuring.
The majority, who were angry over the short notice given (the revamped competitions will launch in the spring) also expressed a preference for the Lancashire-based North West Men’s League, given the problematic coast-road route to opponents in the Whitehaven and Workington areas.
Most also revealed grievances over an apparent mind-change at the RFL which, it is alleged, agreed to clubs’ wishes to remain in the North West Men’s League only to insist, shortly afterwards, on the county-wide Cumbria competition.
“I think it’s an absolutely ridiculous idea,” blasted Hindpool coach Kev Kyte, whose “depleted” club has, says McAteer, been “catapulted into a league of Premier and National teams”.
Roose Pioneers’ Lee Edmondson said: “I think Barrow is an afterthought and a headache (for the RFL) if I am being honest. We have been sacrificed in order to appease other areas.”
Paul Armstrong of Dalton lamented: “I am struggling to understand the supposed benefits of a concentrated Cumbria Conference.
“Our main aim for 2026 was to challenge for a top-four place in the North West Men’s League Premier Division having narrowly missed out in our debut season.
“We have a fantastic youth section and we picked up several trophies last year. We have had this thrust upon us in what feels like a hasty restructuring.”
Ulverston’s Marc Storey said: “We will lose players over this and maybe some clubs, but the RFL will not listen.
“We have done this Cumbria League in the past. It didn’t work then and it won’t work this time. All Barrow clubs should refuse the RFL’s proposals.”
Brad Crellin of Millom said: “We were furious initially, and we still are. It seems like the RFL has no reasoning for concerned clubs.
“Millom have been part of the NCL since its formation and for the RFL to drastically change things hasn’t gone down well here. They are forcing everyone’s hands with their proposals.
“However we have to be positive. There is less travelling (for us) and it will be an extremely competitive division, which should draw big crowds. But I have my suspicions as to how long it will last after the first season.”
Barrow Island’s veteran secretary John Jefferson reflected: “The way (the initiative) has been conducted from the start has been atrocious, with no thoughts of Cumbria clubs.
“But we will do our best to get into the play-offs, win, and get back into the Second Division of the National Conference.”