THE Barrow AFC board have released a statement reflecting on a 'wonderful' five years as owners of the club. 

On Wednesday, November 21, 2018, the club's current board comprised of Tony Shearer, Paul Hornby, Kris Wilkes, Mark Hetherington, and the Bluebirds Trust took over the South Cumbrian club which had narrowly avoided the drop to the National League North in the previous campaign. 

However, this day marked the beginning of Barrow's unprecedented rise which truly began to take shape as the Bluebirds secured their return to the English Football League as the National League champions in June 2020 following the Covid-19 curtailed campaign, ending their 48-year absence.

Two seasons of League Two survival followed before the arrival of Pete Wild in May 2022, with the Bluebirds' current boss leading Barrow to their highest league finish since 1970 in his debut season.

These events and many more have also been recounted in a commemorative video released by the club.

On the anniversary, the Barrow board sincerely thanked everyone connected to the club for their support.

They said: "The Board would like to thank our wonderful supporters, staff, players, business partners, and the wider Barrow community for their support over the past five years.

"It’s been great to see just how much progress the club has made in that time and this work is down to all of you.

"From inheriting a club which had just avoided relegation to the National League North, to then being promoted to the promised land of the Football League only 19 months later was something truly special, and something we could only have dreamed of five years ago.

"But not only did we become an EFL club, but we’ve become an established one too. To be in our fourth season of EFL football is something truly special."

The Barrow board also shared its excitement at the future, with the club currently thriving under the management of Pete Wild.

They said: "Having experienced two years of nail-biting relegation battles, to now finishing in the top half of the table under the guidance of Pete Wild last season was nothing short of spectacular and we can’t wait to see what this new season brings.

"It’s been a remarkable five years full of surprises, success, and the odd moment of stress. Our return to the EFL after 48 years will always be a special memory. 

"We believe the Club is now well positioned for the future and we look forward to enjoying that journey with all of you."