Last updated 14:23, Friday, 22 August 2008

COME ON BARROW: Lee Frith (left) of Graphixsigns, Tony Hill of Hill Demolition, Raiders’ director Dave Sear and club community enterprise manager, Peter Millican SHEENAH ALCOCK REF: 0445730

DIT-DIT-DIT-DAAAH.
Which, dear reader, you will no doubt quickly identify as the opening notes of Beethoven’s Fifth.
It is also the Morse Code signal for V which Churchill adopted for radio transmissions during the Second World War to signify victory.
It is also what came onto my car CD player as I left Craven Park last Friday afternoon, after completing some jobs, to go home and have a swill before the Keighley game.
With an omen like that I just knew we would defeat the Cougars.
I’ve been playing it all week in the build up to the vital Swinton game.
We have two games left to gain the points to ensure promotion.
On paper Swinton provide a better opportunity for us to get the necessary points than Doncaster.
Swinton are out of the play-offs and only have pride left to play for.
However that may actually make them more dangerous opponents as they can play with a devil-may-care attitude.
Dave Clark has, once again, got to get the team focused and up for the task that faces them.
Discipline will have a great bearing on the outcome.
Not only as regards the giving away of needless penalties but the personal discipline which is a necessary requirement if we are to do the right things on the pitch.
The attitude of the players is all important.
It is less than 20 minutes travelling time from Oldham to Sedgley Park and we can expect the Swinton crowd to be boosted by a number of Roughyeds fans.
I know that there are going to be a large contingent of supporters making the journey from Barrow so it should be a good atmosphere.
Mind you, I would far rather be in our position of having to going to Swinton looking for a win than travelling to Oldham, as Workington must do in their one remaining fixture.
Despite injuries meaning that the reserves were unable to raise a team last week they have still qualified for the play-offs and travel to Salford this Friday evening.
They have done extremely well this season particularly with a lot of fresh, young faces in the team.
I have enjoyed the way that they play the game and there are some bright prospects among their number.
Let us hope that they continue to develop and fully realise the potential that they have.
This area has, over the years, had too many could-have-beens who haven’t had the determination or desire to make the most of their talents.
The Keighley game saw the introduction of the new pads which mark the various lines on the field.
They replace the boards which had to be propped up against the boundary wall.
It is an improvement not only because they are more visible but also as it means that the advertising boards for the likes of Poole Townsend don’t get a 20 metre sign blocking them out.
Graphixsigns manufactured the pads and generously supplied them at cost.
Hill Demolition then stepped in and sponsored them.
We are grateful to both companies.
We cannot exist on gate money alone.
Although the full adult price for entry through the turnstiles is £11 when concessions are taken into account the actual average price paid by supporters is far short of that figure.
The Gold Rush Lottery and sponsorship help carry the club along financially, without these additionally streams of income we would struggle to make ends meet. Jenny Reid will be stepping down from her role with the website.
When the present site came on stream earlier this year Jenny was the one who volunteered to input all the information onto the system and she has had responsibility for continuing to update it.
Her efforts are very much appreciated and on behalf of the club I would like to express our thanks for all her sterling efforts.
That of course means that there is a vacancy for a volunteer to look after the site for us.
If you are interested in taking on the position, or would like to know more about what is involved, please contact the club.
Mike and Lois, along with Marion, look after the food for the players, sponsors and visiting directors in the boardroom.
Due to the lack of room it has been quite chaotic at times but they have managed to make everyone feel welcome.
We thank them and all the volunteers who look after the refreshment outlets, sell raffle tickets etc. They are all a vital part of the club.
And finally, apologies go out to the team for the strange smell in the changing rooms at the Keighley game.
I can now reveal that it was the lingering odour of WD40 which had had to be liberally applied to a Zimmer frame in order that Clarky could manage to get himself home following his appearance for the reserves!
All together now: “Dit-dit-dit-daaah.”