JOHN Horne is highly anticipating Hawcoat Park breaking new ground on Saturday when they take to the field at Craven Park for their North Lancs/Cumbria League fixture at home to Silloth (2.15pm kick-off).

Their usual home of Hawcoat Park Sports and Social Club is unavailable this weekend due to a ‘winter wonderland’ event, which means the club have come to an agreement with Barrow Raiders to take rugby union to the ground.

It is believed this is the first time the 15-man code will have been played at the home of the town’s professional rugby league team, and Maroons chairman Horne is delighted they have been able to arrange something which would have been unthinkable during the sport’s amateur era.

“Certainly in my time, it’s unique,” said Horne. “We’ve got good facilities and a good pitch ourselves, so no real desire to look elsewhere, but it’s very good of the club to let us use it.

“It’s hands across the water. At one point, playing professional rugby league and union was a real taboo subject, but there is a real crossover now.

“You see some of the amateur players play union and, likewise, some of our lads play amateur rugby league in the summer. It’s certainly a lot closer now.

“I was on the coach coming back from our game away on Saturday and all of the lads are really looking forward to something a bit different, and the opportunity to play on Craven Park.”

The ground opens an hour before kick-off and admission to the match will be via a discretionary donation at the Duke Street gate, with all proceeds collected being donated to the Furness General Oncology unit, in memory of club stalwart Jeff Simm.

That marks a connection between the Raiders and Hawcoat too, as Simm enjoyed a strong friendship with Barrow head coach Paul Crarey, who attended Simm’s funeral earlier this year.

“With it being a bit different, we didn’t want to charge people admission,” said Horne. “It was something that was very close to Jeff’s heart and I think he would have enjoyed this game – particularly with his friendship with Paul.

“Jeff did a lot of coaching, and him and Paul bounced ideas off each other and became good friends over the years.

“We thought this game was the ideal opportunity to try to raise some money for something that was very close to Jeff’s heart.”

One-time Barrow RL chairman Steve Johnson and the Jeffersons Hotel are sponsoring the game and a post-match a raffle will be held in the Raiders Bar, where the prize is a quality meat platter provided by Shepherd’s the Butchers on Harrogate Street.

A minute’s silence will also be held prior to kick-off as a mark of respect for John Harrison – a former Vickers rugby union player and the father of recently-retired Raiders player Liam and Warrington Wolves forward Ben – who died last weekend following a long and brave battle with illness.

Horne paid tribute to Harrison on the club website, saying: “Since making his debut for our Colts team in 1971, John went on to become a legend during his Vickers Rugby Union playing days as one of the best and hardest players to wear the maroon and white shirt.

“He had a brilliant rugby brain and his unique running style was a mix of pace, strength and determination. It was that determination we have all seen since John suffered his disability following a brain injury eight years or so ago.

“During his lifelong involvement at our club, John established many friendships and he will be always remembered as both a great player and, as importantly, a respected family man who many people are proud to have know as a friend.

“The thoughts of all at the club go out to Mary, Sarah, Naomi, Liam and Ben at this difficult time for them.”

As for the match itself, Hawcoat are aiming to bounce back from from a 42-36 defeat at Wigton last week and will be regarded as favourites to overcome a Silloth side who are rooted to the foot of the table after losing all 10 of their matches so far.

However, Horne is wary of the danger posed by their opponents and hopes both teams can put on a good show for the crowd – particularly as he hopes the occasion will be able to tempt Barrow’s league die-hards to see what union is all about.

“They beat us at home last year, but if it was a competitive game and we won then we’d be happy with that!” said Horne. “We just need to keep winning and hopefully it will be a good, competitive game.”