Last updated at 13:52, Saturday, 24 March 2012

FOUR straight defeats is not a run of results we wanted. But, as I wrote last week, it’s important to look at the season as a whole, not just the last four games.

Yes, it’s disappointing that the play-offs are almost gone from our reach, but to be there at this late stage of the season is an achievement in itself. It’s something to build on and I really think we will be closer again next season.

Last Saturday’s 7-0 defeat at Mansfield does not help anyone, but it was just one of those games, it happens. Mansfield had another big win in midweek, beating Alfreton 6-3, and now we have to dust ourselves down and move on.

Today we face Braintree at home (3pm kick-off) and we need the supporters to turn up and get behind the lads.

The target is to make this season our best-ever in terms of finishing as high up and with as many points as possible in non-league’s top division.

Our home record this season has been great and there is no reason why we can’t achieve our target.

Please don’t think there is nothing to play for in these last four home games – there is. We are now setting up for next season and we need as much income as possible to help us through the summer and in our preparations for 2012/13.

Off the field, it’s been a good week with the announcement that John Mackay and Steve Patton have agreed to join the board of directors.

These are two great additions to the club, with Steve taking on the company secretary role and John continuing his fund-raising work, while also becoming a fans’ liaison rep. Hopefully John’s role will help us improve our communications throughout the club.

We have also created a new community board, which will focus on running the community side of the football club.

This is a key area for the future success of the club and is linked with all the development work we are trying to do to set Barrow AFC up for the future.

The new community board team are preparing a press release so they can introduce themselves.

I am sure you will be impressed with the quality and calibre of the people involved. For me, it sends out a clear message of the club’s intentions.

This is a strategic move that we have wanted to put in place for some time.

Along with new community board, I have also approached a number of local business people in a bid to create a new commercial board. This would help improve and support our overall commercial activities. I hope to have more details on this over the coming weeks.

These moves are key to the future running of the football club.

We must spread the load and involve more people in what we are trying to deliver. By creating sub-boards within the club, it allows clear focus in key areas to ensure the best delivery of activity.

Back to today, we have the big games live on the TV in the Crossbar, so why not make it a full day of it at Furness Building Society Stadium.

See you there.

TONY KEEN

First published at 10:38, Saturday, 24 March 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk