BARROW Raiders head coach Paul Crarey has urged fans to bring the noise when the club take on Oldham in the Challenge Cup.

The game has been chosen as a televised clash by the BBC, and Crarey hopes that the TV cameras can tempt fans to get along to Craven Park rather watch it from their armchairs.

He said: “It’s great to be on TV. All the big name commentators come down and for us it is a measure of what we are producing.

“They see both sides as worthy of a TV game, so we must be doing something right.

“Hopefully the fans will record it and hopefully come down and try to catch a glimpse of themselves on TV at the game, because we need a full house.

“It’s important for revenue but also we need them to give us the support that we need and to be an extra man.”

Crarey admits that part of the attraction for the TV executives is that the Betfred League One side could pull off something of a giant killing against the Championship outfit.

But he doesn’t really see the Boundary Park team as underdogs given how they have gone about their recruitment in the close season.

“It’s like when we played Huddersfield,” he said. “There’s a lot of interest because it is a big fixture, and they feel as maybe there’s a shock on the cards.

“But Oldham have got a lot of Championship players and some with Super League experience. They have invested heavily so really they are a Championship side playing in League One.”

The cup tie doesn’t hold any fears for Crarey and his men, although he does expect a close encounter.

“We are looking forward to it,” he said. “Our lads will be ready for them and they will be ready for us.

“It will be a great fixture and much needed funds for us as long as people come down and support us.

“I think it will be real close. It’s a cigarette paper between who wins the game, but it has got everybody talking and to get selected as a TV game is great.

“It raises the profile of our club, and of their club and of Rugby League.

“It shows that we do entertain and they want to put it on as a fixture.”

Crarey is pleased with the home draw which he says is a great opportunity for Raiders fans to get a glimpse of where they are at.

He added: “It’s brilliant that we’ve got a home draw, because without that we wouldn’t be at home for a long time.

“The first two league games are away and the two 1895 cup games before the Challenge Cup are away, so for us it is a relief to be at home and give our fans a chance to look at our new signings and the way we are progressing as a club, so I’m just so chuffed for them.”