Barrow Raiders: Difference between revisions
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In April 1897 the team switched from [[rugby union]] to [[rugby league]]. Barrow joined the Lancashire Senior Competition Second Division and became champions in their first season. However, they lost a challenge match against Morecambe, the bottom club in the First Division, and they failed to gain promotion. They were finally promoted in the 1899/1900 Season, by defeating Tyldesley in the Challenge Match. |
In April 1897 the team switched from [[rugby union]] to [[rugby league]]. Barrow joined the Lancashire Senior Competition Second Division and became champions in their first season. However, they lost a challenge match against Morecambe, the bottom club in the First Division, and they failed to gain promotion. They were finally promoted in the 1899/1900 Season, by defeating Tyldesley in the Challenge Match. |
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Cavendish Park was requisitioned by the Authorities for the war effort in 1914, Barrow relocated to Little Park, Roose on the outskirts of Barrow. The league at this time was suspended and clubs were forced to arrange their own fixtures in an unofficial war league. Barrow were champions in 1917/18, losing just twice in 22 matches. |
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| ⚫ | In 1929, it had been realised that rugby league in Barrow was approaching a precarious period, as the attendaces at |
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After World War I, Barrow had mixed fortunes and when the league resumed in 1919/20, they managed to finish 5th. However, over the next decade, despite having several county and national players, Barrow’s form suffered and its league position was poor. |
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Facing the position boldly, the directors decided to make an appeal to the town, and first approached Ald. J. Whinnerah, who was then [[Mayor]]. They found in him an ardent helper, whose vigorous plans were evident immediately, for in a short time the club owned a central site, where the Jute Works stood. Commander G. W. Craven initiated an appeal fund with a donation of £500, money came in rapidly, and it was not long before the club was able to start work on the Jute Works site, which had been bought for £2,500. |
Facing the position boldly, the directors decided to make an appeal to the town, and first approached Ald. J. Whinnerah, who was then [[Mayor]]. They found in him an ardent helper, whose vigorous plans were evident immediately, for in a short time the club owned a central site, where the Jute Works stood. Commander G. W. Craven initiated an appeal fund with a donation of £500, money came in rapidly, and it was not long before the club was able to start work on the Jute Works site, which had been bought for £2,500. |
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'''Craven Park''' was built in [[1931]], largely as a result of the efforts of supporters, 500 of whom volunteered to construct the ground. It was named after Commander G. W. Craven, a local war hero, who was instrumental in the construction. |
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===Post World War two==== |
===Post World War two==== |
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Revision as of 22:51, 25 October 2006
| Barrow-in-Furness coat of arms | |
| Club information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Barrow Raiders Rugby League Football Club |
| Colours | Blue and white |
| Founded | 1875 |
| Website | http://www.barrowrlfc.com/ |
| Current details | |
| Ground(s) |
|
| Competition | National League Two |
Barrow Raiders are a British rugby league team from Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria. They will play the 2006 season in National League Two.
Barrow's colours are blue and white.
History
Early years
Barrow were formed in 1875. It is thought that Tom H. Baynes, a shipping clerk, was the driving force behind the club's foundation. As well as being a player, he was probably also the first Barrow team coach. Games were mainly played at Cavendish Park.
In April 1897 the team switched from rugby union to rugby league. Barrow joined the Lancashire Senior Competition Second Division and became champions in their first season. However, they lost a challenge match against Morecambe, the bottom club in the First Division, and they failed to gain promotion. They were finally promoted in the 1899/1900 Season, by defeating Tyldesley in the Challenge Match.
Cavendish Park was requisitioned by the Authorities for the war effort in 1914, Barrow relocated to Little Park, Roose on the outskirts of Barrow. The league at this time was suspended and clubs were forced to arrange their own fixtures in an unofficial war league. Barrow were champions in 1917/18, losing just twice in 22 matches.
After World War I, Barrow had mixed fortunes and when the league resumed in 1919/20, they managed to finish 5th. However, over the next decade, despite having several county and national players, Barrow’s form suffered and its league position was poor.
In 1929, it had been realised that rugby league in Barrow was approaching a precarious period, as the attendaces at Little Park were gradually decreasing. This was in part due to industrial depression but also the fact that Little Park was three miles away from the centre of town.
Facing the position boldly, the directors decided to make an appeal to the town, and first approached Ald. J. Whinnerah, who was then Mayor. They found in him an ardent helper, whose vigorous plans were evident immediately, for in a short time the club owned a central site, where the Jute Works stood. Commander G. W. Craven initiated an appeal fund with a donation of £500, money came in rapidly, and it was not long before the club was able to start work on the Jute Works site, which had been bought for £2,500.
Craven Park was built in 1931, largely as a result of the efforts of supporters, 500 of whom volunteered to construct the ground. It was named after Commander G. W. Craven, a local war hero, who was instrumental in the construction.
Post World War two=
Barrow RLFC have five appearances at the Challenge Cup Final. In 1938 they were narrowly defeated 7 points to 4 by Salford. The 1950's were the club's heyday. The team was Captained by Willie Horne and Barrow appeared no less than three times at Wembley. In 1951, Barrow were runners-up to Wigan and beaten 10 points to nil. Their glory appearance when they defeated Workington Town was in 1955. In 1957, Barrow played again in the final against Leeds and were narrowly beaten 9 points to 7. Their last appearance at Wembley Stadium was in 1967, where they were strongly tipped to win the Challenge Cup Final again, but were beaten by Featherstone Rovers 17 points to 12.
Modern era
When a Rupert Murdoch funded Super League competition was proposed, part of the deal was that some traditional clubs would merge. Barrow were down to merge with Whitehaven RLFC, Workington Town and Carlisle to form a new club called Cumbria which would compete in the Super League.
Until 1995 the team was simply titled Barrow RLFC, but they adopted the nickname Barrow Braves to coincide with rugby league’s switch to a summer season. In 1997 they merged with Cumbrian rivals Carlisle Border Raiders to form Barrow Border Raiders. The new team played all its matches in Barrow; the merger was essentially a financial arrangement only. In 2002 the Border part of the name, which was never that relevant to Barrow, which is in south Cumbria, was dropped.
They were National League Two champions in 2004 and promoted to National League One but were relegated back to National League Two at the end of the 2005 season.
Honours
- Challenge Cup - 1954-55
- Division Two Championship - 1975-76
- Championship - 2003-04
- Lancashire Cup - 1954-55, 1983-83