Almost a year has passed since the Bluebirds Trust launched the Share Contribution Scheme that led them purchasing a ten per cent stake in Barrow AFC and chairman Steve Herbert is over the moon with the impact it has made.

The Trust raised £50,000 in a matter of months, which led to secretary Levi Gill becoming their first-ever representative on the board, giving supporters a say in how the Bluebirds are run.

Herbert believes the scheme has allowed the fanbase to bridge a gap with the club in a way that wasn’t possible before, with attendances on the rise at a time when the team is performing well on the pitch.

It came as a result of the change of ownership that was led by chairman Paul Hornby, who made the shares available for purchase if the funds could be raised.

Herbert said: "It's exceeded my wildest expectations, really, in terms of what, as a support, the Trust and the wide Barrow support has been able to do in conjunction with the club.

"I must pay tribute to everyone that's been involved in that, though it is a list that has too many to mention, and also to the new board at the club for engaging with that.

"We showed what an incredible amount of ability we have at Holker Street, within the whole ground, to move the club forward.

"The way that that feeling has expressed itself, both on and off the pitch, has been absolutely fantastic."

Through the 1901 Club, the Bluebirds Trust has been able to raise money for Barrow AFC to refurbish their stadium, while also giving its members a monthly opportunity to win cash prizes.

Many of their members worked voluntarily during the summer to help make improvements, which included moving the Trust's Shop over to the Popular Side after the Western Terrace was flattened.

Herbert said: "Ian Evatt talks a lot about having a 'perfect storm' and that was created both off the pitch and on the pitch.

"Part of that particular storm is everything from the playing staff to how much is being put in by the new board of directors to the volunteers, whether that's through selling raffle tickets to ground maintenance.

"We and the National Supporters Club have also had a meeting with Craig Rutherford and the Community Trust, so we could both listen to the plans he's got, with our director there ready to look at it."