i would so love it if barrow where in super league that would make my day

I hope they get the ground situation sorted one day Mozz.

Anyone seriously suggesting Barrow has not grasped the reality of the situation. They're in reality about fifth down the pecking order. They're not big enough to represent Cumbria, being 50 miles away from their fellow clubs, their crowds are diminuative and not up to the standards set by the RFL, their ground is significantly worse than all the super league alternatives and I include Belle Vue in that and they are solely reliant on a chairman who is a well known control freak who can't let his coaches do their jobs and dont have the youth set up. You might as well promote Polperro just because you fancy a holiday in cornwall, but you'd be ignoring all the hard work other clubs have been doing just because you prefer it there.

Seriously, at this stage it should be between Widnes and Fax, we're the only two with the chance to succeed. Barrow are also behind Featherstone and Leigh IMHO and thats before we throw in Toulouse.

Spot on. Barrow are only in because of their recent on-field success, the rest of their application is nonsense.

We'll find out in a couple of hours, but i'd be amazed if Widnes don't get it - despite the RFL's constant ability to amaze us with their incompetence.

www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... ml&BID=480

www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... ml&BID=480

Would love to see Barrow in the SL at some point because there is a lot of talent in Cumbria and everybody there loves rugby league. Not going to happen until they sort out there ground and youth development though amongst other things. The only viable option with regards to a new stadium for me would be a groundshare with the conference football team in the town but they dont seem to want to talk to each other. A Cumbrian franchise definitely wouldn't work due to the geographical restrictions discussed on BnA last night.

I'm not convinced the support is there for Barrow. I seem to remember the last time they were in the top flight, around 1990, we went there and the crowd was about 4000. OK that's quite a while ago, but their recent attendances aren't all that good either - Widnes, Leigh, Fax & Fev are all better supported.

I agree with that but they're current attendances are comparable with what Crusaders and Quins get, and they would only increase playing better teams at better facilities. Wasn't there about 6k at the cup game against Wigan in 2009?

That 6,000 was for their biggest game in years, it would never get above that.

Still double Crusaders and Quins current averages though. And for an "expansion team" but in an area where rugby league is actually popular.

That 6,000 is the very maximum they'd ever get to though. Oh, and the ground is actually even worse since Wigan last played there!

Yeh I know it is. No where near SL standard its a disgrace and has been for a number of years. I am not saying Barrow should have got in btw, just saying I would like to see them in it in the future. As far as I am aware they have scrapped their academy system as well which is also one of the major criteria. Central Park is beyond redevelopment, its new ground or stay in the lower leagues for them, I just suggested that I thought a groundshare with the towns football team was a possible solution.