Barrow AFC’s good form in the National League has helped the new ownership model in their efforts to build up the club’s commercial revenue, according to Mark Hetherington.

Local businessman Hetherington was part of the consortium, which also includes chairman Paul Hornby, Tony Shearer, Kristian Wilkes and the Bluebirds Trust, that took control of the Bluebirds in November, one month after previous owner Paul Casson stepped away.

Since then, AFC have only lost once in 14 league games, keeping ten clean sheets in the process, to lift themselves into the top half of the table, having been 17th at the time of the change in ownership.

They are admittedly going to have to go on an even better run to gate-crash the play-offs this season, but Ian Evatt’s side have restored pride at the club, after last year’s team were fortunate to avoid relegation.

Following last Friday’s Q&A session with supporters, Hetherington said: “It’s had a huge benefit to us. I think one of the big things is that I personally get on well with Ian.

“I understand him from the footballing side of things and see things from his side of the business, if you like, but what he’s done with the side during this period has given us a real leg-up.

“It’s given us a real lift and we’re coming in bouncing every time because we’ve got good results or there’s been a great performance and we’ve been a bit unlucky [not to win], so it’s been really positive. We’re trying to drive up that enthusiasm and he’s fantastic with it.”

Having been surprised by the amount of debts they inherited from the previous regime three months ago, the new owners have been working hard since in trying to make Barrow self-sustainable in the future.

Hetherington has taken a hands-on role, being at the club every day for the last six weeks, with his tasks including negotiating with several potential kit suppliers.

Hetherington said: “We’re in talks with different suppliers because I’ve got to.

“I’ve got to look after my business and my business at this moment in time is Barrow Football Club – when I’m with them, that’s what I’ve got to look after.

“I would be very, very naïve if I was to sit here and just think something would happen if I keep my fingers crossed. It isn’t going to happen like that.

“Obviously I can’t say too much because of the contractual situation (with current suppliers BLK), but it’s going in the right direction and hopefully we should have some kind of movement, one way or the other, within the next week.”