Last updated at 14:47, Friday, 27 April 2012

A MID-TABLE finish might be seen as a disappointment by some supporters – especially as we were dreaming of the play-offs ahead of the Bath City game a couple of months ago – but from my point of view it has been a great season.

FAB FOUR: Pictured celebrating a goal in Barrow AFC’s result of the season – the 4-0 drubbing of eventual champions Fleetwood back in August – are four of the team’s best performing players (left to right) Adam Boyes, Andy Cook, Paul Rutherford and Jack Mackreth Milton Haworth

I have always said it would take four or five years to establish ourselves at this level and that our target this year was to avoid another relegation battle.

And this has been achieved.

The challenges ahead are huge and it is getting harder rather than easier to compete at this level.

People ask if the financial climate has had an impact on us and the answer is a definite yes.

We are probably working twice as hard for the same – or even less – in sponsorship. I also think that people are having to pick and choose their games, and nobody can blame them for that.

As this season draws to a close we now prepare for a fifth year in a row as members of the Blue Square Bet Premier Division and that in itself is a fantastic achievement.

Now the summer will be spent on building, by hopefully retaining the players we want to keep and adding to a young, developing squad.

The Fleetwood, Wrexham and Luton games all gave grounds for encouragement and give us something to build on.

The visit of Newport tomorrow (kick-off 1pm) is a chance to thank the players for some great memories. And I cannot stress too much how important a big gate is to the club.

To help the family budget we have reduced entry fees for under-11s to just £1 when accompanied by an adult. So I hope you will get along for one last time this season.

This is my first article for a few weeks due to work commitments.

However, I wanted to make sure that I had the chance to thank everyone for their support.

The fans, volunteers, sponsors, players, managers and employees – no one group more important than the other, but collectively they are why this club is so great.

So let’s see if we can go out with a great result in front of a big crowd to celebrate yet another fine season in the top level of non-league football.

The Crossbar will be open as usual, both before and after the game, so please make the effort to come and see the players after the game.

TONY KEEN

First published at 13:34, Friday, 27 April 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk