STEVE Neale is eager to ensure the on-field product at Barrow Raiders benefits from the improvements behind made behind the scenes.

The Raiders go into the 2019 Betfred Championship season in a much better financial position than last year, with commercial income on course to better the amount budgeted for.

That has been helped by making use of Craven Park’s facilities outside of matchday and Neale’s sister Adele coming in as commercial manager, but the chairman knows it is how the team performs on the field which will drive what he sees as the biggest indicator of success in crowd figures.

“There are a lot of things I set out to do and it’s all about improving the club, but ultimately it’s about improving the team,” said Neale, speaking at the Raiders’ sponsors night.

“No-one is going to say ‘we’re going to support Barrow Raiders because they’ve got a good commercial presence’ or support us because we’re transparent or because the Raiders Bar is open a few nights a week.

“Paul (Crarey), Andy Gaffney, me and Steve Rea have identified some fantastic signings over the off-season and we’re under a little bit of pressure because we lost Joe Bullock, who was probably our best forward; we lost Alec Susino, who picked up awards across the board, and Dean Parata, and some fringe players.

“But I honestly believe the players who have come in are going to make this club better.”

Neale does not believe the Championship being expanded by two teams for 2019 will make it easier to survive in, although his eyes are firmly on moving up the table.

“I thought we were reasonably comfortable last year, but we know it’s going to be tough this year,” said Neale. “The restructure of there being 14 teams doesn’t take the pressure off because we want to progress.

“We’re making gradual progress and that’s the way to do it. Instead of trying to hit the top spot and spending money we haven’t got, we need to make it sustainable.

“I think the signings we’ve made a pretty special. The Papua New Guineans give us the x-factor, but then I look at Tee Ritson, Jake Spedding, Deon Cross, Jordan Walne and Jake Carter, and think they’re special as well.”