Barrow AFC are enduring a tough return to the National League, sitting 23rd in the table with just two points from their opening five games. The Cumbrian club's difficult start to the 2024/25 campaign highlights a period of transition following last season's relegation from League Two.
Adam Murray, who joined Barrow ahead of their first campaign in the fifth tier since 2020, has overseen a run of three defeats and two draws. The team's recent form reads DLDLL, and they have scored five goals while conceding nine, leaving them with a minus-four goal difference. They currently find themselves a significant 11 points behind early leaders Boreham Wood.
Barrow's relegation from League Two at the end of the 2023/24 season marked the end of a six-season stay in the fourth tier. They had originally been promoted alongside Harrogate Town in the 2019/20 season, a campaign curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic under then-manager Ian Evatt. After finishing 21st and 22nd in their first two seasons, the club rose into the top half under Pete Wild before a turbulent final year.
Four different managers took charge during the 2023/24 season, including Andy Whing, Paul Gallagher, Dino Maamria, and Sam Foley. A late rally of two wins and three draws in March and April kept them in touch with safety. Their final game saw Charlie McCann score after nine minutes against Newport County, with Thomas Davies and Bobby Kamwa adding late goals. It wasn't enough, and they finished bottom.
A major squad overhaul followed relegation. Numerous players departed Holker Street, including Elliot Newby, Joe Anderson, Sam Foley, Wyall Stanway, and experienced figures like Niall Canavan and Kane Hemmings. In response, the club moved to rebuild, bringing in several new faces.
Signings included Ollie Crankshaw and Isaac Marriott from Altrincham. Kennedy Digie, Alex Reid, and Paul Kalambayi also joined the squad ahead of the new National League season. This new group is tasked with rediscovering winning ways in a division where Barrow's last victory was a 2-1 win over Dagenham & Redbridge in February 2020.
The man leading the rebuild is Adam Murray, a former midfielder with extensive experience. Murray made 62 appearances for Derby County, making his Premier League debut in April 1999 and earning an England Under-20s call-up during his time there. After loan spells at Mansfield Town and Kidderminster Harriers, he had non-contract periods at Notts County and Burton Albion before returning to Kidderminster.
His move to Barrow came less than a week after he guided Kidderminster Harriers to victory in the National League North play-off final against South Shields. He now faces the challenge of steering Barrow up the standings.
The early results have been challenging. Barrow began with a 2-2 draw against Harrogate Town, a fellow relegated side, but then suffered consecutive 2-1 defeats to Yeovil Town and Hornchurch. A 2-0 loss to Hartlepool United preceded their most recent outing.
In that match Barrow drew 1-1 with Kidderminster Harriers at Aggborough Stadium. Keaton Ward's free-kick led to a 15th-minute goal from Innes Cameron, who noted he was "notching three goals in five matches so far." George Ward's substitution for treatment left Barrow with ten men, and David Davis assisted Lewis Walker for Kidderminster's equaliser.
The team's next opportunity to turn their form around comes in an away fixture against 15th-placed Worthing on September 12. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming matches on our fixtures schedule.
