The new season is upon us with the visit of London Skolars in the 3rd round of the Challenge Cup, weather permitting.

Last week, Storm Ciara prevented the Skolars from travelling and it’s looking like a similar scenario is developing with the arrival of storm ‘Dennis the Menace,’ so there is a possibility that the game may be postponed again.

That would cause a fixtures conundrum, with the winners due to play at Championship favourites Featherstone Rovers in round four next week.

There is every chance of Barrow progressing, but Skolars have steadily progressed under coach Jermaine Coleman and have always been competitive at Craven Park, so it won’t be easy.

Almost five months have passed since the last Championship game, a victory against Batley Bulldogs which was only our fifth league victory from 27 matches and although we were competitive in the majority of games we just didn’t have the cutting-edge quality in the ranks to succeed and achieve the objective of mid-table consolidation.

Compared to other Championship clubs, Barrow were an example of stability but we were unable to take advantage of the chaos surrounding us and now find ourselves back in a very competitive League One.

The core from last season has been retained and with the addition of ex-Haven forward and coach Carl Forster, Hull KR forward Lee Jewitt and local lad Perry Singleton from Workington we should be competitive and challenge for the League One title.

The cream of local talent has also been given the opportunity in the professional ranks so let’s hope they can follow the success of the most recent converts and establish a regular spot.

As recognised by the club, the optimum Barrow template is a local coach with a majority of local players, supplemented by a few overseas players living in the town and a few ‘quality’ travellers, and we appear to have adopted that strategy again which is a positive.

Barrow is a unique and difficult gig due to location and financial constraints and every supporter does recognise and appreciate the effort that the board, coach and his support staff and volunteers put in and that they deserve success.

Although Barrow have been installed as title favourites, I don’t think promotion is guaranteed and when there are only playing 20 matches, there is no room for error or complacency.

Every minute will matter as I see Newcastle Thunder, Doncaster and Hunslet being the main threats and you can’t rule out Keighley, Workington or Rochdale, who recently went dual registration with Toronto Wolfpack.

Newcastle have signed the experience and class of ex-Toronto hooker Bob Beswick, Doncaster have resigned ex-Super League Man of Steel Rangi Chase and Hunslet have indicated their intentions with the signing of classy half-back Dom Brambini from Batley.

It is imperative that we gain promotion this season, because it has been muted that there will no RFL funding for League One clubs in 2021, which could be the death knell of many semi-professional clubs.

There is also a possibility that Barrow will have two transatlantic trips; Ottawa and New York City, who are both backed by rich consortiums. Unbelievably, Valencia (Spain) and Red Star Belgrade (Serbia) may also be submitting an application to join League One also.

A review of the League structure is required as soon as possible, so clubs such as Barrow can plan for the future with a degree of certainty.