Charlie McCann delivered the most accurate long passes per 90 minutes of any Barrow player during the 2025/26 League Two campaign. Official statistics released this week show the midfielder led the squad with 13.4 successful long balls per game, according to data compiled by the league's analytics provider.
McCann's success rate of 44.7% on those attempts also placed him among the team's most reliable distributors from deep positions. The figures, covering the complete league season, reveal which Barrow players were most effective at switching play and launching attacks from defensive areas.
Behind McCann, defender Niall Canavan attempted the second-most long balls per 90 minutes at 23.2. His success rate stood at 35.3%. Ben Jackson followed with 32.8 attempts per game, completing 35.4% of them. These numbers highlight how Barrow's defensive unit frequently looked to bypass midfield pressure with direct passes.
Charlie Raglan and Michael Jordan Williams rounded out the top five with 42.6 and 52.4 attempts per 90 respectively. Raglan connected on 36.5% of his long passes, while Williams succeeded with 31.8%. The full breakdown shows Barrow employed a varied approach, with different players taking responsibility for distribution depending on their position and the game situation.
Wide players and forwards also contributed to Barrow's long passing game. Connor Mahoney attempted 61.6 long balls per 90 minutes with an impressive 46.4% success rate, the second-highest accuracy on the squad. Jack Earing managed 91.1 attempts with 42.9% accuracy, showing his importance in transitional moments.
Further forward, Josh Gordon attempted 130.6 long passes per 90 with 43.2% accuracy, indicating his willingness to drop deep and help build attacks. Elliot Newby (150.5 attempts, 25.0% success) and Isaac Fletcher (160.5 attempts, 21.6% success) showed more volume than precision in their distribution from advanced areas.
The statistics confirm Barrow use direct passing as a consistent tactical element throughout last season. With multiple players across different positions regularly attempting long balls, the approach appears systematic rather than individual. The variation in success rates suggests some players were instructed to take higher-risk passes in specific situations.
Barrow's current squad includes several players who excelled in this area last campaign. McCann's combination of volume and accuracy makes him particularly valuable in a system that values quick transitions. The team's overall standings position last season was supported by this effective use of direct play to create scoring opportunities.
While the source data focuses on Barrow's internal rankings, McCann's 13.4 accurate long balls per 90 would place him among League Two's elite distributors. For context, the division's average for midfielders in this category typically falls between 8-10 successful attempts per game. McCann's rate represents a significant output that few players matched across the entire league.
Barrow's next opportunity to deploy this tactical strength comes in their upcoming fixtures, where direct passing could prove decisive against various defensive setups. The team's preparation for those matches will likely include refining these distribution patterns based on last season's successful formula.
Barrow begin their 2026/27 League Two campaign on August 8th against Bradford City at Holker Street.
