Barrow Raiders
Full name	Barrow Raiders Rugby League Football Club
Emblem	Barrow-in-Furness coat of arms
Colours	Blue and white
Founded	1875
Sport	rugby league
League	National League Two
Ground	Craven Park
Official website	http://www.barrowrlfc.com/ http://www.barrowraiders.net/

Barrow Raiders are a British rugby league team from Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria. They will play the 2008 season in National League Two. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Barrow-in-Furness is a town in Cumbria, England. ... A modern coat of arms is derived from the medi val practice of painting designs onto the shield and outer clothing of knights to enable them to be identified in battle, and later in tournaments. ... 1875 (MDCCCLXXV) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Rugby league football is a full-contact team sport played with a prolate spheroid-shaped ball by two teams of thirteen on a rectangular grass field. ... The Rugby League National Leagues (currently known as the LHF Healthplan National Leagues as a result of sponsorship) form the basis for rugby league competition in Great Britain below Super League. ... Barrow Raiders are a British rugby league team from Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria. ... Rugby league football is a full-contact team sport played with a prolate spheroid-shaped ball by two teams of thirteen on a rectangular grass field. ... Barrow-in-Furness is a town in Cumbria, England. ... Cumbria (IPA: ), is a shire county in the extreme North West of England. ... The Rugby League National Leagues (currently known as the LHF Healthplan National Leagues as a result of sponsorship) form the basis for rugby league competition in Great Britain below Super League. ...

Barrow's colours are blue and white.

History

Early years

Barrow FC were formed in 1875. It is thought that Tom H. Baynes, a shipping clerk, was the driving force behind the club's foundation. As well as being a player, he was probably also the first Barrow team coach. Games were mainly played at Cavendish Park but also (until 1880) the Parade Ground.

In April 1897 the team switched from rugby union to rugby league. Barrow joined the Lancashire Senior Competition Second Division and became champions in their first season. However, they lost a challenge match against Morecambe, the bottom club in the First Division, and they failed to gain promotion. They were finally promoted in the 1899/1900 Season, by defeating Tyldesley in the challenge match. For other uses, see Rugby (disambiguation). ... Rugby league football is a full-contact team sport played with a prolate spheroid-shaped ball by two teams of thirteen on a rectangular grass field. ...

Cavendish Park was requisitioned by the authorities for the war effort in 1914, Barrow relocated to Little Park, Roose three miles away from the centre of town. The league at this time was suspended and clubs were forced to arrange their own fixtures in an unofficial war league. Barrow were champions in 1917/18, losing just twice in 22 matches.

After World War I, Barrow had mixed fortunes and when the league resumed in 1919/20, they managed to finish 5th. However, over the next decade, despite having several county and national players, Barrow’s form suffered and its league position was poor.

In 1929, it had been realised that rugby league in Barrow was approaching a precarious period, as the attendaces at Little Park were gradually decreasing. This was in part due to industrial depression but also Little Park's location.

The directors made an appeal to the town, and approached the Mayor Alderman John Whinnerah who was to be an ardent supporter. Commander G. W. Craven, a local war hero, started an appeal fund with a donation of £500. In a short time the club bought a central site, where the Jute Works stood for £2,500. Craven Park was built in 1931, largely as a result of the efforts of supporters, 500 of whom volunteered to construct the ground. The total cost of the building project came to £7,500 which was an unbelievable figure in those days. A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning larger, greater) is the modern title of the highest ranking municipal officer. ... Barrow Raiders are a British rugby league team from Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria. ... Year 1931 (MCMXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1931 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

1937/38 saw Barrow reach the finals of the Lancashire Cup for the first time, losing narrowly 4-8 to Warrington. That season was a time of great opportunity for the Barrow Team but was to end in disappointment. After playing seven matches in just ten days, they lost 7-4 to Salford in the final of the Challenge Cup at Wembley; they also lost in the Championship play-off semi-final 13-7 against Hunslet.

Post World War two

Barrow dropped out of the wartime Lancashire league in 1940-1, they did not return to league competition until 1945/46. Many of the pre-war players had retired. So this was an era of rebuilding and recruiting,

The 1950s were the club's heyday. The team was captained by Willie Horne and Barrow appeared no less than three times at Wembley. On May 5th 1951, Barrow made their second appearance at Wembley and were beaten 10 points to nil by Wigan. On Saturday 27 October 1951 13,319 spectators were at Barrow to watch the home side beat New Zealand 9-5. Willie Horne was born in Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire on 23rd January, 1922. ... For the old stadium, see Wembley Stadium (1923). ... Year 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Wigan Warriors are a rugby league team based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. ...

On April 30th 1955, Barrow made their third appearance at Wembley. This time, they won the Challenge Cup 21-12 against Workington Town, later that year they added the Lancashire Cup after a 12-2 win over Oldham. Workington Town is a rugby league team playing in Workington in West Cumbria. ... Oldham Roughyeds are a British Rugby league club, founded in 1876 and currently playing in the League One of the National Leagues. ...

On May 11th 1957, Barrow played again in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley against Leeds and were narrowly beaten 9 points to 7. 1957 signalled the end of the golden era of the club and most of the star players retired after this time. Leeds Rhinos are a professional rugby league club who are based in Headingley in north-west Leeds, West Yorkshire. ...

The league split into two divisions in 1961/62 and because of a poor finish in the previous season, Barrow was forced to play in the second division.

Their last appearance at Wembley Stadium was in 1967, where they were strongly tipped to win the Challenge Cup final again, but were beaten by Featherstone Rovers 17 points to 12. A crowd of 77,000 paid a then record £54,435 to watch the game. Year 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. ... Featherstone Rovers are a professional rugby league club, based in Featherstone (near Pontefract), West Yorkshire in England. ...

1973 saw Barrow appoint former player, Frank Foster, as coach. He built a side which won the Second Division championship in 1975/76 and reached a John Player Trophy final in 1981 only to lose 5-12 to Warrington. Phil Hogan was transferred to Hull KR in 1978 for a then world record fee of £33,000. Latterly with good 'hard' forwards and fast talented 'union' backs this team were known as the 'Harlem Globetrotters' of rugby league, always trying to keep the ball alive and exciting to watch. The only problem was inconsistency and stabilising the club in the 'Premier league' was too difficult to achieve. Barrow fluctuated between divisions and Frank was eventually replaced by Tommy Dawes in 1983.

The season 1983/84 saw Barrow win the Second Division title and the Lancashire Cup against favourites Widnes 12-8. Tommy Dawes, despite his initial success, was sacked in 1985.

In 1988/89, Australian Rod Reddy took on a player-coach role at Barrow in 1987. Barrow earned promotion to Division One but that campaign saw Barrow manage only one league win and suffer a club record 90-0 defeat at Leeds. Reddy was sacked and Denis Jackson took over as a caretaker coach for the rest of 1989/90. [1] Rodney Reddy (born Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia) was an Australian rugby league player played for the St. ...

After relegation in 1990, Barrow appointed a new coach in Steve ‘Knocker’ Norton but finished 17th out of 21 in Division Two.

Modern era

Barrow Raiders logo

When a Rupert Murdoch funded Super League competition was proposed, part of the deal was that some traditional clubs would merge. Barrow were down to merge with Whitehaven RLFC, Workington Town and Carlisle to form a new club called Cumbria which would compete in the Super League. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

Until 1995 the team was simply titled Barrow RLFC, but they adopted the nickname Barrow Braves to coincide with rugby league’s switch to a summer season. Peter Roe was head coach for an 15-month period, ending in January 1996.

In 1997 they merged with Cumbrian rivals Carlisle Border Raiders to form Barrow Border Raiders. The new team played all its matches in Barrow; the merger was essentially a financial arrangement only. In 2002 the Border part of the name, which was never that relevant to Barrow, which is in south Cumbria, was dropped. Cumbria (IPA: ), is a shire county in the extreme North West of England. ... Carlisle RLFC were a rugby league team based in Carlisle, Cumbria. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ...

Under Peter Roe's second spell at Craven Park, they were National League Two champions in 2004, their first trophy for 20 years. They were promoted to National League One. However, they were relegated back to National League Two at the end of the 2005 season after winning just one of their 18 matches. The financial situation at the club forced a review of the coaching structure and the position of head coach was made part-time and the club parted company with Peter Roe.[2] The Rugby League National Leagues (currently known as the LHF Healthplan National Leagues as a result of sponsorship) form the basis for rugby league competition in Great Britain below Super League. ...

In October 2005 local ex-player Paul Crarey was appointed as head coach. In his first season as coach of the Raiders he guided them to the National League 2 play-offs on a very limited budget.

After the end of the 2007 Paul Crarey controversially resigned from Barrow Raiders, after guiding them to a second succsesive play off position. Barrow initially had lined up former Widness coach Steve Mcormack to take over but after receiving a better position with struggiling Super League club Hull KR. On Thursday 2nd November 2007 Barrow Raiders announced that former player Welsh-born Aussie Dave Clark[3] would take over, with Dean Marwood as his assistant.

2008 Squad

As of 22 October 2007 is the 295th day of the year (296th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

Notable Former players

• Willie Horne
• Jimmy Lewthwaite
• Phil Jackson
• Keith Jarrett
• Ade Gardner

The club launched their Hall of Fame in 2001 with 1950s legends Willie Horne, Jimmy Lewthwaite and Phil Jackson its inaugural inductees. Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... Willie Horne was born in Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire on 23rd January, 1922. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... Jimmy Lewthwaite (10 November 1920 - 23 December 2006), who was born in Cleator Moor, Cumberland, was a rugby league winger for Barrow and Great Britain. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... Phil Jackson is a former Great Britain rugby league captain and centre as well as a Barrow club legend. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_2. ... For other persons named Keith Jarrett, see Keith Jarrett (disambiguation). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... Ade Gardner (b. ... Willie Horne was born in Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire on 23rd January, 1922. ... Jimmy Lewthwaite (10 November 1920 - 23 December 2006), who was born in Cleator Moor, Cumberland, was a rugby league winger for Barrow and Great Britain. ... Phil Jackson is a former Great Britain rugby league captain and centre as well as a Barrow club legend. ...

Honours

• Challenge Cup - 1954-55
• Division Two Championship - 1975-76
• Rugby League National League Two Championship - 2003-04
• Lancashire Cup - 1954-55, 1983-83

The Challenge Cup (currently known as the Carnegie Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons) is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs across Europe. ... Within British rugby league there have been periods when the Championship has been divided into two divisions, with promotion and relegation between the two. ... The Rugby League National Leagues (currently known as the LHF Healthplan National Leagues as a result of sponsorship) form the basis for rugby league competition in Great Britain below Super League. ... The rugby league county cups were the Lancashire Cup and the Yorkshire Cup. ...

External links

• Official site
• Unofficial site
• Barrow Raiders forum on rlfans.com
• National League website
• Barrow Raiders Fans Forums - RugbyLeague.org