BARROW Raiders complete a memorable season with victory over Whitehaven in the League One play-off final. And it's all change at Barrow AFC as Ady Pennock takes over as manager and former Bluebirds striker Grant Holt returns as player-manager

OCTOBER

BARROW Raiders are promoted to the Championship after defeating Whitehaven 10-6 in the League One play-off final at Craven Park. Shane Toal scores two tries in front of a crowd of 3,128.

Liam Livingstone is named in the England Lions squad for a training camp in Australia.

Michael Woods heads a 97th-minute winner as Hartelpool beat Barrow AFC 1-0.

Dalton Under-16s complete a league and cup double as they beat Kells 34-6 to take the Cumbria Cup.

Curtis Anderson says he is confident England can win the Under-17s World Cup as they jet out to India. He keeps a clean sheet as they beat Chile 4-0 in their opener.

Barrow AFC are held to a 2-2 home draw by Leyton Orient as Jordan White nets the second equaliser.

Brad Singleton helps Leeds Rhinos defeat Castleford Tigers to lift the Super League Grand Final trophy.

Askam RL coach Mike Wilson steps down after seven years in the role.

South Lakes ladies continue to dominate the Cumbria Hockey League, beating Dalston 11-0.

Great Britain Olympian Ellie Faulkner makes a splash at the Park Leisure Centre.

Andrew Dawson leaves Barrow Raiders after gaining promotion. He joins Workington Town soon after.

Barrow Island product Ellis Gillam joins Whitehaven after his release by Warrington Wolves.

Barrow Raiders sign young Australian prop Alec Susino.

Neill Hornby arrives as assistant manager to Micky Moore at Barrow AFC, and two days later sees the Bluebirds dumped out of the FA Cup, 2-1 at Shaw Lane. The result costs Moore his job, with Hornby put in caretaker charge.

Ross Cooksey maintains his 100 per cent record as a pro fighter, beating Jamie Quinn in Wigan.

Fifty old RL players turn out for a charity game in memory of Will Richardson at Roose.

Roose Pioneers Under-12s and Walney Central Under-14s win the Barrow Youth League KO Cup finals at Craven Park.

Brothers Shane and Dan Toal pen new Barrow Raiders deals.

Curtis Anderson is a penalty shootout hero as England defeat Japan in the Under-17s World Cup second round. They brush aside USA
4-1 in the last-eight.

World champion Iwan Roberts wins the Lakes Two-Day Trials.

Barrow AFC say more than 30 candidates are in contention to be the new manager at Holker Street.

The Bluebirds fall to a 3-2 defeat at Ebbsfleet, despite a brace from Bedsente Gomis.

Furness RUFC beat Egremont 30-17 to go top of the Cumbria League.

AFC drop into the National League relegation zone as they suffer a last-minute 3-2 loss at Chester.

Curtis Anderson and England are in the Under-17s World Cup final following a 3-1 victory over Brazil in Kolkata.

Alex-Ray Harvey leaves Barrow AFC for Guiseley in a £10,000 move. A day later, Ady Pennock arrives as the new Bluebirds boss.

Adi Yussuf gives Pennock the perfect start as he nets a hat-trick in a 3-1 victory over Aldershot.

Curtis Anderson lifts the World Cup with England Under-17s, as they come 2-0 to beat Spain in the final.

Barrow jockey Charlotte Jones wins on her first ride at Aintree, on board 33/1 shot Bon Chic.

Brad Singleton makes his World Cup debut as Ireland beat Italy 36-12 in Cairns.

Adam Chapman earns a place on the PGA Challenge Tour with victory in the EuroPro Tour Championship in Portugal.

NOVEMBER

BARROW Raiders are handed a tough start to the 2018 Championship season, facing London Broncos, Toronto Wolfpack and Leigh Centurions in their first three games.

Paul Crarey says Barrow Raiders will not be held to ransom by new signings.

Dave Clark returns to Askam for a second spell in charge at Fallowfield Park.

Grant Holt is set to return to Barrow AFC, after Kings Lynn Town reveal he has left the club.

Barrow ABC's talented youngsters impress on an all-action card.

Brad Singleton cannot prevent Ireland falling to a 14-6 World Cup defeat to Papua New Guinea.

Ryan Cunningham scores a hat-trick as Furness defeat Windermere to stay top of the Cumbria League.

Walney Terrier are no more. The American Football club is renamed Furness Phantoms.

Walney Central Under-14s wrap up their season with a 34-20 play-off final win over Millom.

Grant Holt's first game back at Barrow AFC ends in a 2-0 defeat to Macclesfield Town.

Dave Warne and Dave Bell take over as coaches at Walney Central.

Ross Cooksey claims another win as he beat Jules Phillips on points in Manchester.

Former Whitehaven forward Glenn Riley joins Barrow Raiders.

Lindal Moor appoint Sri Lankan Janith Silva as their new professional.

Young Walney footballing ace Macey Bland is proving a hit at Blackpool.

Crooklands Casuals are in mourning following the death of reserve team manager Greg Unsworth.

Danny Macdonald compiles a 128 break in the Barrow Individual Snooker League.

Barrow AFC beat Eastleigh 2-0 to climb out of the National League relegation zone. Jimmy Dunne is praised for his goal and defensive efforts.

Barrow Raiders return to pre-season training.

The Bluebirds make it three wins from four as they triumph 2-1 at Gateshead.

South Walney Juniors and Lindal and Marton Schools reach the Cumbria School Games Quicksticks Hockey finals.

Liam Hughes leaves Barrow AFC to join former boss Paul Cox at Guiseley.

Curtis Anderson is names Young Sportsperson of the Year at the Cumbria Sports Awards. Ulverston Victoria High School's girls orienteers take the junior team prize.

Barrow AFC fall to a 3-0 home defeat to Bromley.

The annual Furness Catholic Amateur Boxing Club show at the Forum is a smash hit.

The North Lancs and Cumbria Cricket League agree on a new structure for 2018 onwards.

Dan Abram leaves Barrow Raiders for Whitehaven.

South Lakes ladies make it 10 wins from 10, beating Ambleside 4-1.

Walney Island under-nines win the Barrow Junior Football league Autumn Cup.

DECEMBER

LIAM Livingstone is announced as Lancashire's new captain for the 2018 county cricket season. The Barrow Cricket Club product also extends his current deal until the end of 2021.

Liam Conroy ended the year on a high by defending his English light-heavyweight title. The Barrow boxer retained the belt when an shoulder injury forced opponent Chris Hobbs to quit in the ninth round.

Jordan White's goal helps Barrow AFC make it three away wins in a row as they edge out FC Halifax Town 1-0.

There is more late drama for Holker Old Boys as they stun second-placed Litherland REMYCA 3-2 thanks to strikes from Nathan Reid and Nathan McHugh.

A 9-0 win away to Kirkby Lonsdale ensures South Lakes end the year with a perfect record of 11 wins from 11 game in the Cumbria League. Anna Stable grabs four of the goals, with Holly Nuttall adding a hat-trick, and single scores from Emma Armstrong and Lois Viney.

Ollie Mellors and Ian Windress claim their second victory on the Grizedale Stages Rally, finishing 22 second ahead of Irish pair Josh Moffett and Stephen Thornton.

Highland Lodge, trained by Cartmel-based James Moffatt, has to settle for third in the Becher Chase at Aintree. The 11-year-old was third behind winner Blaklion and The Last Samurai.

Millom are drawn at home to Scottish champions Strathmore Silverbacks in the first round of next year's Challenge Cup, while Askam are handed an away tie with York Acorn.

Jono Smith is unveiled as Barrow Raiders' latest signing for the 2018 season, with the back row agreeing to move to Craven Park from Rochdale Hornets on a 12-month deal.

Fraser Minnican claimed a bronze medal at the British Winter Swimming Championships. The Barrow swimmer, representing Loughborough University, recorded a personal best of 4:20.25 in the 400m individual medley.

Byron Harrison comes up with a header in the 90th minute to send Barrow AFC through to the second round of the FA Trohpy as they see off Nuneaton Town 1-0.

A 27-24 victory away to Workington Zebras keeps Furness RU on course for promotion from the Cumbria League.

Dean Parata is unveiled as Barrow Raiders' latest signing. The Italy international hooker or half-back will also become the club's commercial manager.

Dalton speedway star Adam Roynon signs a one-year contract extension with Plymouth Devils.

Moussa Diarra and Jimmy Dunne are on target to earn Barrow AFC a 2-1 win away to Woking. Ady Pennock's side follow that up with a 1-1 draw at home to Wrexham on Boxing Day, with Diarra scoring again.