Football Season Guide

Barrow

In


George Ray (Defender, Exeter City); Sam McClelland (Defender, Chelsea, Season-long loan); Tyrell Warren (Defender, FC Halifax Town); Ben Whitfield (Midfielder, Stockport County); Harrison Neal (Midfielder, Sheffield United, Season-long loan); Sam Foley (Midfielder, Tranmere Rovers); Solomon Nwabuokei (Midfielder, Woking); Billy Waters (Attacker, FC Halifax Town); Richie Bennett (Attacker, Sutton United)

Out


Scott Moloney (Goalkeeper, Guiseley, Loan); Anthony Glennon (r) (Defender, Burnley, Loan ended); Kgosi Ntlhe (sp) (Defender, released); Matty Platt (r) (Defender, Bradford City); Remeao Hutton (r) (Defender, Swindon Town); Tom Beadling (sp) (Defender, released); Jacob Wakeling (Midfielder, Leicester City, Loan ended); Mike Jones (Midfielder, released); Ollie Banks (r) (Midfielder, Chesterfield); Aaron Amadi-Holloway (r) (Attacker, Burton Albion, Loan ended); Dimitri Sea (Attacker, released); George Williams (sp) (Attacker, Boreham Wood); Luke James (sp) (Attacker, York City); Offrande Zanzala (Attacker, Newport County); Will Harris (Attacker, Sunderland, Loan ended)

Barrow head into their third season since their return to the Football League with a third different manager. The appointment of Mark Cooper last summer appeared to be a sensible move, not least having several of years of Football League experience to call upon. Yet the Bluebirds again found their Football League status under threat and turned to Phil Brown to guide them to safety. A deal couldn’t be reached with Brown so they have turned to Pete Wild, who could prove to be a much better option. Wild has spent the last three years at FC Halifax Town, where he guided them to two play-off finishes in three years. Wild also had a brief spell in charge of Oldham Athletic in the Football League, where he again impressed. There are similarities between the Shaymen and the Bluebirds and Wild will be hoping to bring some consistency and stability to Holker Street. He didn’t wait long to sign his former club’s best player in striker Billy Waters and returned to bring in defender Tyrell Warren. Centre-back George Ray, midfielder Sam Foley and striker Richie Bennett bring plenty of Football League experience with them whilst loanees Sam McClelland and Harrison Neal and non-league midfielder Solomon Nwabuokei will be looking to realise their potential and make an impact. Wild can still count on defender Patrick Brough, midfielder Robbie Gotts and the creative spark of John Rooney and, despite the summer departures of centre-back Matty Platt, full-back Remeao Hutton and midfielder Ollie Banks, he has a strong squad at his disposal.

Target


Mid-table. It might be a modest aim but the Bluebirds have yet to establish themselves back in the Football League and Wild could be the man to do it.