And yet last year we were being told that the players were happy to play for Barrow for reduced rates because the team was such a good one to play for thus keeping them well below the salary cap!! Now we are being told they have to pay over the odds to get players to turn out for them..
Considering they have an established amateur set-up and at least two established professional clubs in the area how they can claim this is laughable.

The guy is a weapons grade clown.

Ever heard of a level playing field??

Correct, isnt Barrow also in Lancashire

i dont see why they should get any special treatment.

They need time to get established. Barrow RLC founded 1875


The RFL will fall for it again and again and again!

Fair play to them for trying it, the RFL have clearly made their bed so I think Barrow are the first of many clubs who will try to take advantage.

Stick widnes in birmingham then we be ok.

I think I'd rather point the finger at the RFL as opposed to Des, but the whole thing does stink. Gone are the days of 'level playing fields' in this sport lads, we have to face that. Nothing suprises me anymore about the w@nk shafts who run our 'sport'



Why not eh?

Run run whoever you may be, we are the boys from the black (& white) country

This is an old story though. Johnston spoke with the then Gateshead chairman did he not? His words in the paper were along the lines of 'I'm all for a level playing field but Gateshead are allowed more, then why can't we?'

Its obvious that McChoker wants to bring in one of his Aussie mates from Gateshead (Franze or Aitken) and is trying to get this ruling pushed through so they have the quota space to do so.
Barrow are slowly becoming the most disliked club outside of Super League.
It'll be amusing for us all when Sir Des of Johnston gets fed up and puts his pennies back in his piggy bank - these money men always get bored sooner or later. FACT.

Noticed on the main Barrow forum, there are many many fans unhappy at Des's latest moneymaker...a big hike in Season and Ground prices next season. Nice one Des...you're nuts

Good on him for taking on the RFL and trying to get an advantage for the club. All clubs should challenge the RFL for what they believe is best for their club and the game. This isn't supposed to be a dictatorship by the RFL and Sky!.

The crux of the matter is that the travelling expenses paid by clubs comes under the salary cap, this amount is obviously higher for clubs away from the M62 corridor where the majority of players are based. He has suggested this as a way to offset that unavoidable disadvantage.

Maybe he doesn't expect to win but has merely done it highlight the issue faced by Cumbrian clubs who do not receive any concessions as others who are geographically remote from the "heartlands".

I can appreciate that it isn't a subject close to the heart of clubs like yourselves who have access to a large catchment area of both professional and amateur players.

Subject was raised last year and submitted to the RFL this year, long before McCormick.

Why dislike us for this? What have we done to deserve any clubs dislike? We have had a great time with fans from every club last season and some top nights out after the games, win or lose.

Des has stated he won't be around for ever, "at least 2 more years" was his last quote at the Grand Final. What he is bringing apart from financial investment is a more professional business attitude to the club (seriously!). It is hoped that by the time he decides to leave the club will be more than capable of sustaining its financial commitments to remain competitive and develop the club infrastructure. And that is a FACT



BTW shame on you for implying you would find it amusing to see another club in financial difficulties, your clearly not a fan of the game.

Erm... you just won't tn the league and are a good solid old club yet to be treated like a 'newby' just to get adavantages other clubs haven't!

Crusaders and Gatesheads moans not ring a bell? Oh yea... wasn't it Big Dez that had a pop at Gatesheads overseas players last season???

I don't see why Cumbria should qualify for concessions. We ourselves have had to have a major overhaul of own squad for the exact same reason as what you are quoting. Although I have no figures, it seems like there are less and less players from the traditional Lancashire area with a surplus of players over in Yorkshire. Whilst we were full-time, travelling was an issue, but players were prepared to put up with it. Now we are part-time basically any players who live more than say an hour or so simply won't travel for evening training and part-time wages.

Another issue is the fact we have Warrington, Wigan, Salford and Saints competing for local players not mention Leigh as well. Barrow are the stand-out club in a very large area - if anythying Barrow should find it easier to find local players than we do. Time and time again we hear of how good Cumbrian rugby is and how many top quality players come from Cumbria - you can't then cry you need concessions because you have to sign loads of players from outside the area. Cumbrian people can't have it both ways- is Cumbria a RL stronghold that can put together a strong SL licence application or is it a development area that will requires years of investement before fan interest and playing levels are sufficient enough to warrant a licence?

Little Barra upset sooper dooper league certs.
Cry me a river.
Bunch of arrogant tarts,

What you on Zimbo?

Is that not a valid point? Either your a RL strong hold with plenty of development and history or your a new development area?

Whats 'arogant' about that point?

They want to have their cake and eat it don't they?

Thanks for your constructive and well reasoned response.

For arrogant see you own chairman you buffoon.

Sooper dooper league certs is only something you and big Dessy can only dream of.

It's true that some aren't happy (you can't please everyone), but whether he's nuts or not, we've got 2 trophies in the cabinet.

As for the old chestnut of Des 'pulling the plug', why do you think that season ticket proces are going up ? To make the club non-reliant on his cash. However, he doesn't put in anything like some people may think and the club has a £800,000+ turnover. If he did walk we would still be in a better financial position than 95% of RL clubs.

Can you not see the irony of Widnes and Fax fans giving financial forecasts and advice. Pretty amusing really.

There's nothing ironic or amusing about your perpetual ignorance of our financial stability.
For one thing our turnover exceeds yours, hth.

Only just.

People on here go on about our chairman and what would happen if he stopped his funding, but Widnes would be in a far worse position if the same were to happen to them.

Probably another financial meltdown.

Based on what? The books atm represent SO'C spends on the club facilities etc.

Are you saying Barrow could survive on a 800k turnover but Widnes not on 950k turn over?

Well you best tell Des then, because that is certainly the impression he gives. It always "his" money, and "I" have bought people to the club. And fair play to him for doing that. But to say that you would be ok if he went is hard to believe. Where were you before he started investing his money?

God forbid someone other than Widnes or Fax get SL .
Squeaky bum time boys & you know it could happen.

Another nice unintelligent post, thanks!

It does seem all Barrow fans on here simply have a defensive attitude once anything brought up, where as if they looked about they'll see that they have been commended for there rise... adding competition to the division and a second strong Cumbrian side!

Maybe they'd realise it's actually THERE OWN Chairman who says it's all his money and not opposition fans!