BARROW AFC supporters have been flocking to the club's online shop in recent weeks to snap up merchandise and boost the club's finances as they work to navigate their way through the coronavirus crisis.

The crisis is having an impact on the finances of clubs across the country but AFC supporters' purchases online are providing all important revenue for the club, as shop sales soar.

Whilst the Bluebirds' shop at the Progression Solicitors Stadium remains closed, staff have been able to process online orders whilst following government guidelines and the club has witnessed a huge surge in demand.

As supporters look to back their team, orders for merchandise are up nearly 1500 per cent compared to this time last year as orders come in from near and far, with parcels sent to destinations like Australia and Los Angeles just this week.

Ryan Sutherland of Barrow AFC said: “We always say we have the best fans of any football club in the country when they travel hundreds of miles every week to support the team.

“Even though they haven’t been able to leave their homes they are still showing us an incredible level of support.

“Ever since the season was cut short and ended early, we have had to find new ways to generate revenue and we introduced a new line of merchandise soon after lockdown began. The response from supporters has been fantastic and we can’t thank everyone enough for both placing orders and being patient with us as we work through them.”

The new line of merchandise sees the Bluebirds work alongside local company Fingerprints, with the club also working with Barrow based kit supplier 17 Sport.

Mark Hetherington, a club director, said: “We have said from the very beginning that we want to help support local businesses whenever we can and we are delighted to be able to do so in sourcing our club merchandise.

“Supporting local companies has never been as important as it is now and we will continue to try and support both local business and the wider local community as much as we can.”

In addition to the fundraising work being done by the Bluebirds Trust, which has seen thousands of pounds raised every week through initiatives like their online raffle, it is a welcome boost for the club who are still waiting on a decision from league bosses to find out if their success on the pitch will result in their promotion to the Football League.

The Bluebirds online store at www.barrowafc.com/shop has a wide range of items on offer from replica shirts to leisurewear and gifts.