PAUL Crarey and Steve Neale both have their sights set on a place at Wembley for the inaugural 1895 Cup final next August.

Barrow Raiders are one of the sides which will be playing in the knockout competition for the 12 English Betfred Championship teams and the League One clubs.

Entering at the last 16 stage, the Raiders would need to win just three games to ensure they are one of the teams walking out at Wembley for the decider, which is being played on Challenge Cup final day.

Matters are slightly complicated by the fact the last 16 stage and quarter-finals are both due to be played as midweek fixtures.

But while other clubs might be tempted to rotate their squads, Barrow head coach Crarey and chairman Neale have decided to go with the strongest side possible to give them a realistic chance of reaching the1895 Cup final.

“We’re not going to win the league because the money spent at the top is phenomenal, but to have three games and go to Wembley on Challenge Cup final day would be fantastic for the Barrow fans,” said Crarey.

“We took them to the League One Cup final and won that, which was a fantastic day out for over 1,000 Barrovians, and if we get to Wembley we’ll probably take more than that going there.

“I spoke to Steve about it and he said he wants to go full-strength for those games to see if we can do it, so that’s what we’ll be doing and we’ll see where it takes us.

Crarey is fully supportive of the new competition and believes it is important to give the part-time Championship and League One sides something else to compete for.

“I think it’s a good concept for more games and I think we need some other ideas throwing into the hat for Championship and League One clubs,” said Crarey.

“There’s got to be more games for us and a bigger prize, if you will, so I welcome the competition.”