RAIDERS boss Paul Crarey has called on Barrow ‘to do what Barrow does best’ and rally behind the club to access more funding.

With sports clubs facing an unprecedented drop in revenue as a result of the coronavirus lockdown many are looking at new ways to source funding.

National League bosses revealed on Thursday that football teams in the National, North and South divisions will next week receive a share of £2m donated by the Premier League.

However, the crisis facing rugby league clubs has attracted less attention, and with even the sport’s highest-ranking clubs only generating a fraction of its football counterpart's income support is harder to come by.

In response Raiders are calling for the entire town to sign up as free members on the Rugby Football League website.

A higher membership will enable the club to access up to £100,000 to help them through the pandemic.

“What Barrow does really well is pull together and we need the town to get behind us,” Crarey said.

“Funding is critical for all clubs at the moment.

“As well as the lack of revenue from ticket sales people don't have the money to sponsor either; so it will be a really tough time.

"If we get more members we can get extra funding because clubs are rewarded in that way for their community engagement."

Raiders staff have been setting up a number of fundraising schemes in a bid to soften the blow of the lockdown.

"Louise Scarr, who runs the supporters trust, has been brilliant coming up with ideas," Crarey added.

"The club's speaking to all the season ticket holders who have all been amazing and very understanding.

"It all adds up."

During the lockdown, with team training off the cards, Raiders have been training 'remotely' and updating their results to an app.

Both the Super League and the Rugby Football League have suspended the current season as a result of the pandemic.

In a joint statement Robert Elstone, the executive chairman of Super League Europe, and Ralph Rimmer, chief executive of RFL, said: "The whole country is facing major challenges - and the support of our fans, partners and stakeholders is needed now more than ever before."

To sign up and help Raiders follow the steps below:

n Go to www.rugby-league.com/ourleaguelogin

n Register free account

n Complete your profile by choosing ‘no Super League team’ and choose ‘Barrow Raiders’ as your other team.