Calls have been made for Barrow Raiders’ promotion to the Betfred Championship.

This week, Super League released details about the application process surrounding the vacant 12th spot.

Championship clubs have until December 16 to replace Toronto Wolfpack after they were expelled from the league.

Although it has not been made official, it is now widely expected a Betfred League 1 club will fill the void left by the promoted Championship team.

And both Barrow Raiders chairman Steve Neale and head coach Paul Crarey strongly believe that their club should be the one to go up.

Neale said: “There are a number of reasons why we should be promoted.

“We are the best supported team in League 1 and I would argue we have the best team in the league.

“We were the last team to be relegated from the Championship before this season.

“This season, that was badly affected by the pandemic, we were unbeaten in the league and we had given Featherstone, who are in the league above, their toughest battle to date in the Challenge Cup, just losing by two points.

“So on the field I feel as though we could do a really good job and we have strengthened the team from last time.

“Off the pitch, we’re doing some fantastic work as well and rugby league is a lot about what teams are doing in the community and our community team is winning awards and going from strength to strength.”

Crarey agrees with Neale. The head coach is also adamant that the team would compete in the Championship if they were promoted.

He said: “If they are looking for a team to go in the Championship to fight and stay in it,then we're the team for that.

“We have a got a very good squad this year and could actually compete in the Championship right now.

“Of course, we would have to strengthen in some areas.

“You either sink or swim when you get that opportunity and we have got to be ready for it, and the club are.”

Crarey continued by explaining that his side would also benefit from the decision to scrap dual registration in the league.

“I don’t think it is the same championship when we were in it," he said.

“We were playing Rochdale and they had five in from Warwick and one in from Salford so it makes a huge difference. That was a massive thing and it is all finished now.”

It is expected that Newcastle Thunder will rival Barrow Raiders for the soon-to-be vacant spot.