Username: 
  Password: 
    or Create an account    ::    Forgotten password?

Barrow look to Super League in 2012

Barrow look to Super League in 2012

A Super League place beckons for a Championship club in 2012.

And with the 2009 Championship campaign one of the most enthralling ever, RFL chairman Richard Lewis, can't ignore applications to the big time. Crowds and TV viewing figures were a record high this year and the RFL supremo has recently expressed his belief that a Championship club can obtain the dream ticket to Super League.

Widnes Vikings and Barrow Raiders have already set their sights on exciting trips to Knowsley Road, Odsal, and the DW Stadium after meeting the application criteria. Their success in the Northern Rail Cup and Co-operative Championship enables them to start drawing up ambitious plans for the big time. Halifax, as Championship Grand Finalists, have also already ticked the on-field criteria.

The Raiders' success however, now raises the issue of a Cumbrian club in Super League. Yes the topic has rumbled on for quite some time now, but the potential market for a Super League license in Cumbria is one that needs to be addressed.

Broadcasting giants, Sky Sports have packed no punches on this matter with pundits Mike Stephenson “Stevo”  and former Leeds prop, Barrie McDermott adding their weight to claims for a Cumbrian club in the top flight. 

The RFL have continuously reiterated their support for the Celtic Crusaders as the game struggles to prosper in Wales. How they expect to spread the game to a rugby union mad country is an ambitious plan. It may be time for the RFL to look to the Lake District for the game to flourish.

Love him or loathe him, chairman, Des Johnston, “the godfather” of Craven Park has moulded the Cumbrian’s into a formidable outfit as he pursues the “holy grail” that is Super League. The charismatic businessman is determined to bring the glory days back to Barrow.

The capture of former Wakefield star Jamie Rooney on a permanent deal and influential hooker Andrew Henderson, from Gateshead, has signalled Mr Johnson’s intentions of awakening this sleeping giant.

The appointment of ex-Widnes and Whitehaven boss Steve McCormack to the helm, gives the club added experience and assurance as they look to fulfil their goals.

Barrow had a magnificent season. Their epic 26-18 play-off final victory against Halifax at the Halliwell Jones Stadium was an outstanding achievement for a club that has bore the brunt of many rival supporters over the years. The hard times of the 1990’s and early 2000’s are safely behind the Raiders with the emergence of talented locals such as speedy wingman James Nixon and crafty half back, Liam Campbell.

Youth development and stadium improvement remains the focus for the backroom staff as the Super League applications loom ever closer.

Comments

4 comments for Barrow look to Super League in 2012. Why not add your comment now?
1. James (at 09:20:31 on 27 Nov 2009) wrote:
Barrow would certainly bring more to the table than the Bridgend-Newport-Wrexham Crusaders!
2. Mike H (at 11:03:30 on 27 Nov 2009) wrote:
hear, hear! a cumbrian club is much needed and Barrow has all the credentials, nice piece!
3. dan (at 14:11:00 on 29 Nov 2009) wrote:
frankly the super league can't ignore widnes. they are a clear choice.
4. looozaa (at 15:47:52 on 11 Dec 2009) wrote:
i'd rather have barrow then widnes, who seem to think they have a right to be in super league, even though they'll bring in nothing new to the competition. good luck barrow
You must be logged in to leave a comment
Username:
Password:

Don't have an account yet? Click here to register. Only takes a few seconds.

Stats

vs
Round: 27 Fri 3 Sep 20:00
vs
Round: 27 Fri 3 Sep 20:00
vs
Round: 27 Sat 4 Sep 16:30
vs
Round: 27 Sat 4 Sep 18:45
vs
Round: 27 Sat 4 Sep 18:45
vs
Round: 27 Sat 4 Sep 18:30
18 - 38
New Craven Park Sun 22nd August
52 - 4
The Galpharm Stadium Sun 22nd August
38 - 28
Grattan Stadium Sun 22nd August
40 - 28
The Jungle Sun 22nd August
10 - 36
Racecourse Sat 21st August
36 - 18
Halliwell Jones Stadium Fri 20th August
Pos Name P W D L Pts
1 Wigan 26 21 0 5 42
2 St Helens 26 19 0 7 38
3 Warrington 26 19 0 7 38
4 Leeds 26 16 1 9 33
5 Hull FC 26 16 0 10 32
6 Huddersfield 26 15 1 10 31
7 Hull K R 26 14 1 11 29
8 Castleford 26 11 0 15 22
9 Crusaders 26 11 0 15 22
10 Bradford 26 9 1 16 19
11 Wakefield 26 9 0 17 18
12 Harlequins 26 7 0 19 14
13 Salford 26 7 0 19 14
14 Catalans 26 6 0 20 12
vs
Round: Play Offs Thu 2 Sep 19:30
vs
Round: Play Offs Sun 5 Sep 15:00
vs
Round: Play Offs Thu 9 Sep 19:30
vs
Round: Final Sun 26 Sep
26 - 12
Recreation Ground Sun 22nd August
24 - 32
Cougar Park Sun 22nd August
72 - 20
Bigfellas Stadium Sun 22nd August
24 - 38
Sat 21st August
29 - 28
Don Valley Stadium Thu 19th August
14 - 32
Craven Park Wed 18th August
Pos Name P W D L Pts
1 Featherstone 20 18 0 2 56
2 Halifax 20 16 0 4 50
3 Leigh 20 12 1 7 43
4 Barrow 20 12 1 7 39
5 Widnes 20 11 0 9 38
6 Sheffield 20 10 1 9 35
7 Batley 20 7 0 13 29
8 Toulouse 20 8 0 12 27
9 Dewsbury 20 6 0 14 26
10 Whitehaven 20 4 0 16 16
11 Keighley * 20 4 1 15 10
vs
Round: Play Offs Sun 5 Sep 15:30
vs
Round: Play Offs Sun 5 Sep 15:00
vs
Round: Play Offs Sun 12 Sep 15:00
vs
Round: Final Sun 26 Sep
18 - 48
New River Stadium Fri 27th August
32 - 24
South Leeds Stadium Sun 22nd August
16 - 26
Spotland Stadium Sun 22nd August
94 - 0
Sedgley Park Sun 22nd August
46 - 12
Keepoat Stadium Sun 22nd August
16 - 18
Sun 15th August
Pos Name P W D L Pts
1 Hunslet 20 18 0 2 55
2 Oldham 20 17 0 3 52
3 York 20 12 0 8 39
4 Blackpool 20 15 0 5 38
5 Rochdale 20 10 0 10 37
6 South 20 9 0 11 34
7 Workington 20 8 1 11 33
8 Swinton 20 9 1 10 33
9 Doncaster 20 8 0 12 28
10 London 20 2 0 18 10
11 Gateshead 20 1 0 19 -2
25 - 24
Bloomfield Road Sun 18th July
18 - 48
Cougar Park Sun 20th June
4 - 25
Leigh Sports Village Thu 17th June
6 - 42
South Leeds Stadium Sun 6th June
26 - 16
Mount Pleasant Sun 6th June
32 - 6
Cougar Park Sun 6th June
Pos Name P W D L Pts
1 Dragons 23 16 0 7 205
2 Wests 23 15 0 8 37
3 Panthers 23 14 0 9 118
4 Titans 23 14 0 9 19
5 Roosters 23 13 0 10 39
6 Warriors 23 13 0 10 39
7 Sea Eagles 23 12 0 11 41
8 Raiders 23 12 0 11 4
9 Rabbitohs 23 11 0 12 31
10 Broncos 23 11 0 12 -25
11 Knights 23 10 0 13 -40
12 Eels 23 10 0 13 -64
13 Bulldogs 23 8 0 15 -51
14 Sharks 23 7 0 16 -217
15 Cowboys 23 5 0 18 -232
16 Storm 23 13 0 10 96

Discussions

» Whitehaven back where they belong?

by cifulikeit on 13/08/2010 08:18:21

» nrc final

by hatehaven on 19/07/2010 10:46:07

» Who will be the new Dragons coach..?

by jimmythecuckoo on 30/06/2010 09:02:54

» Silverwood Yet Again

by Stevie13 on 30/05/2010 17:18:47

» Touchjudges useless

by Stevie13 on 30/05/2010 17:13:40
View all discussions

Facebook

Twitter

Rugby League Planet Premier Sports