BARROW Raiders have announced a series of groundbreaking plans to help improve their crowds during what they hope will be a successful campaign in Betfred League One following last year’s relegation.

The Raiders were disappointed with a lowly attendance of 769 for their first home game of the 2020 season - the Coral Challenge Cup third round tie against London Skolars - although the impact of Storm Dennis that weekend needs to be taken into account.

Nonetheless, the club are making a concerted effort in continuing to get more younger supporters coming through the turnstiles at Craven Park and have announced a number of incentives that they hope will prove successful.

In a detailed video message released on social media, chairman Steve Neale said: “We have been around every single school in South Cumbria and every single kid has got a free season ticket in their hands and if not, they will have one before the Coventry game [next Sunday].

“We’re also doing an offer to encourage parents to feed their kids when they get to the ground.

"Any parent who brings two kids along can have a free £5 hot food voucher once inside.

“But we need something to bring them. If you bring 10 kids, then the adult can come in for free, so if you’re a minis rugby team with a couple of coaches, bring 20 kids and you’re in for free.

“We want people in this ground. We’re prepared to take a little loss in terms of admission because we just want this place buzzing. We want a new generation of supporters.

“And we’re not stopping there. We’re going to try to have a curtain-raiser before every single game this season, maybe a couple of curtain-raisers or a festival of rugby day.

“If you, as an adult, can get yourself into this ground before the curtain-raisers start, you can come in for free. The board are absolutely determined to fill this ground and join us on our journey to bounce back in 2020.”