THE chairman for Barrow Raiders is hoping to build on the success from last season both on and off the pitch in 2022 but expects yet another Covid-hit year in the Championship.

Steve Neale explained that his aim for this season on the pitch would be for a mid to top table finish and would be delighted with a playoff place - but believes work must be done on the facilities before the club would be ready for Super League - his long-term ambition.

"Well, we are reasonably happy with the squad building for the season, but Covid has hit us again," he said.

"We have possibly five or six players who are going to have to miss the friendly match against Whitehaven, which is a huge blow. I think it is going to be another Covid disrupted season.

"It is a strange one from a club perspective as we have spent a lot of money on the club last year on events and the big screen and we are hoping to push on with these this year.

"From a financial perspective we have never really been here before as we spent more money than we made last year but we had built up funds the year before, so we are fine.

"I think we need to have more specific events, like Oktoberfest or St Patrick's day, rather than just having the marquee up for people to come to."

The club put on multiple events last year which were a huge success such as the Summer Festival, Oktoberfest, the Hallowe'en weekend to name just a few.

Mr Neale is hoping to build on those this year and help boost the community with these events which can help the club financially at the same time.

"We have spent a lot of money on players hoping to challenge up the table," Mr Neale said speaking about the league ambitions.

"I am not saying we will win the league, but I want to see us stay up. I would be satisfied with a mid to upper table finish.

"If we get into the playoff places I will be delighted.

"We still need to improve the stadium and what we have though because there is no point in trying to get to Super League if we do not have the facilities to progress."

Raiders' community efforts will continue to see the grassroots rugby league in the area nurtured as the club see this as a necessity in keeping interest in the sport going in Barrow.

This will also help them boost their supporters as well as keeping the conveyor belt of talent flowing in through their feeder clubs.