To follow up on Tuesday’s club statement, Barrow Raiders would like to thank the whole rugby league community for their support. When times get tough, rivalries get put to one side and people rally together.

We are aware that the Rugby League Fan Club have set up a GoFundMe page, and to date we see that £2,076 has been raised. We can’t thank them and everybody enough for their support.

In addition, many people have joined our Raiders 50/50 Raffle, and the prize fund is currently £2,292 which is well in excess of our budgeted income from our monthly raffles of £1,000.

Yesterday, club chairman Steve Neale was present at a Championship clubs meeting that was part of the strategic review process, but was somewhat overtaken by recent events.

A consortium is meeting the RFL today trying to resurrect the Halifax club, but it has been confirmed that our home fixture will be too early to raise a team and will be postponed. Our fears on that score have come true.

We have asked other opposition who don’t play that weekend if they are willing to bring our games with them forward, but we understand how difficult that might be at such short notice.

Whilst London Broncos look to confirm a venue for our 1895 Cup tie, we have made an offer to reverse the fixture, saving them a considerable stadium rental fee and the offer of taking all the gate receipts.

The RFL meeting was a positive one, and there is a recognition amongst club owners and the RFL that the overspending needs to stop with the introduction of a Championship salary cap, based on club’s turnover, ready to be implemented for 2027.

Barrow Raiders were supportive of this move, which will directly stem player wage inflation caused by the desire to keep up with rival clubs.

In the short term, with the confirmation of the loss of the Halifax fixture, our cash flow concerns remain. We would be truly thankful if the generous support could continue and if we could attract businesses to sponsorship packages that would put the club on firmer footing.

Want to be in with a chance of winning our £25,000 jackpot? Join the Raiders Lottery!