Barrow Raiders looking to continue ‘fine’ home record on return to Championship
Photo courtesy of Barrow Raiders
Barrow Raiders return to the Championship in 2022 following their promotion from League 1.
Paul Crarey’s side lifted the League Leaders’ Shield at the end of the 2021 season, finishing the campaign with 13 wins.
The Cumbrian side were relegated at the end of the 2019 season alongside Rochdale, but bounced straight back to the Championship following a successful 2021.
They open their new campaign at home, where they haven’t seen a defeat in two years.
It will be Sheffield Eagles who will be hoping to end that run this Sunday in the opening round.
Barrow Raiders look to continue home record
“I think we’ve worked really hard. We’ve got a fine record at home and haven’t been beaten at home for two years,” said head coach Crarey.
“All the games we’ve played [against Sheffield Eagles] have been really tight, so it’ll be a big test.
“Hopefully we’ll win that battle up-front and find out what the Championship is like on our return.”
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High attendances at Barrow Raiders
The club has again been busy distributing season tickets to all schools ahead of the 2022 season. They have been rewarded with high attendances at the Matt Johnson Prestige Stadium. 1,093 attended their pre-season clash with Newcastle Thunder.
Crarey added: “It’s important that everyone gets behind us. I think we’ve sold over 700 season tickets, the most we’ve had for a long time.
“There’s a lot of people talking about the game and how well we played against Newcastle [Thunder]. It’s important that we put on a show for them and give it our best shot.
“The Championship is a brutal place to be, but we’re at home. We aim to give it our best shot for the fans who were magnificent last year.
“It’s a different ball game. These lads are hardened Championship players who are coming to town. We’ve got to be ready for them.”
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