WHEN he left Manchester’s Midland Hotel on Monday evening, few would have blamed Paul Crarey if he felt somewhat miffed about Barrow Raiders being overlooked at the end-of-season awards ceremony.

Not so much for him and Joe Bullock not winning awards in the categories they were nominated in – Carl Forster and Craig Hall being named Kingstone Press League One coach and player of the year respectively – but more for the club’s achievements as a whole barely getting a mention.

But the Raiders head coach can be safe in the knowledge the work done by him and his staff since returning to the helm at Craven Park three years ago speaks for itself.

The squad has been rebuilt from a threadbare state to a formidable side capable of challenging for promotion, a pathway once again exists for the area’s talented youngsters to progress to the professional ranks, and links with both amateur clubs and the Barrow and District League are arguably as strong as they have ever been.

Promotion back to the Championship via the play-offs, to go with the League One Cup success earlier this year, would be the crowning achievement.

And while Crarey knows how much that work is appreciated by the community here, there is part of him which would like the club’s efforts to gain wider recognition.

“It probably only matters to us in the town and with our families, but what we’ve done over the last three years, we haven’t just built a side, we’ve built a club,” said Crarey.

“I said to the lads, to get any recognition we need to win the competition because it looks like we haven’t got any credit elsewhere for what we have achieved this year.

“Even in the Eights, we’ve only lost one game and that’s better than Toronto, who have drawn one and lost one. We’re the stand-out team in the Eights, we’ve been consistent all year and even the last two years. We just want to try to get the job done, really.”

Barrow must first overcome Newcastle Thunder in tomorrow’s semi-final if that dream of earning a place back in the second tier of professional rugby league is to be realised, which would then mean a home play-off final against either Whitehaven or York City Knights on October 1.

Crarey is proud of how the Raiders have got this far with a strong contingent of homegrown talent, supplemented with some astute signings and experienced heads like Ollie Wilkes and Martin Aspinwall.

Shane and Dan Toal, Danny Morrow and Nathan Mossop are just some of those locals who have played key roles this year, and Crarey is eager for them to seize the opportunity to test themselves at the next level.

“We want to play Championship rugby with these kids, they’re already on our doorstep and there are others,” said Crarey.

“We’re happy with the way things are going and the junior players at this club have been outstanding. Equally, they’re led by the senior players who deserve massive credit.

“It’s like a lion with a load of cubs biting at their heels; they give them a bit of stick, but they respect them so much and they have given us so much in these two years, have our senior players.”

The next generation are already coming to the fore as well, with Luke Cresswell, Matty While and Ryan Johnston showing glimpses on their undoubted potential when they have been given a chance.

The long-term plan is to get a reserve team put in place to bridge the gap between youth and senior rugby, plus give more opportunities to those not playing regularly for the first team.

Finances will, of course, play a part in that, but Crarey remains impressed with the attitude of those players who are having to bide their time as Barrow try to achieve their aim of promotion.

“I’m just so proud of how they’ve come in and given their all, and haven’t got their head down and affected the group,” said Crarey.

“We probably need a reserves here now for the kids in the town so there is a progression out of the amateur game, and Dave Robinson said when he came on the board that’s what he wants to put in place and leave a legacy.

“We’ll then have an academy, reserves and first team, and we’re on our way to achieving that.”