 | Bristol Rovers will face these little upstarts from the Lake District giving it their best shot - we're not frightened, put it like that Barrow chairman Brian Keen |
It would be fair to say Barrow is not a place which often draws the attention of the footballing world. But the residents of the windswept coastal town are hoping to make the most of a rare moment in the spotlight this weekend when the Match of the Day cameras pay a visit for the FA Cup first round.
League Two side Bristol Rovers visit Holker Street for the main FA Cup feature of Saturday's highlights show.
Clearly the TV crews are sniffing an upset, and Barrow chairman Brian Keen does not want to disappoint them.
"This is such a big boost for the team and the town, to have the big BBC coming with their cameras," he told BBC Sport.
"So we're just going to enjoy it.
"I think having the TV cameras coming has fired the team up even more.
"And I think it's a danger to Bristol, who are used to this sort of thing. They'll have these little upstarts from the Lake District who will be giving their best shot and we're all very hopeful.
"We're not frightened, put it like that."
Barrow, currently in the lower reaches of the Conference North, are expecting a sell-out crowd of around 3,500 at Holker Street for the visit of Rovers.
The Bluebirds' humble abode is typical of the sort of ground which has so often proven to be the undoing of league teams in the FA Cup - but in some ways it is remarkable that Barrow are still playing there at all.
| The money means we can pay off the little bills we've accrued - it's magic Barrow chairman Brian Keen |
The club went into liquidation in 1999 and Keen admits than when he took over soon afterwards, the club was in "a hell of a mess". But they were soon playing fixtures again and became one of the founder members of the Conference North in 2004-05.
"For my sins I said I'll give it a go and see if I can get the club back on its feet with the help of the Football Association and the Conference," said Keen.
"I've just followed their criteria and here we are today."
Keen stresses that promotion to the Nationwide remains the priority for his team and admits he is concerned that a good run in the FA Cup could distract his side from the league.
But at the same time, he is aware of the boost a Cup run could have on the Bluebirds' morale.
"On Saturday we beat Leigh RMI. Now sometimes the Cup run can hold you up in your league fixtures and put you in a bit of trouble," he said.
| SPORT EDITORS' BLOG Match Of The Day editor Paul Armstrong |
"But the three points on Saturday were great and they've lined us up for this Saturday to deal with Bristol Rovers.
"Rovers will not relish the idea of a trip to Barrow. We're ready for them.
"We've got a young team, a new team and they're so excited. They're going to give it 110%.
"They're going to enjoy the day, it's like a Cup final to them and we're all waiting with bated breath."
Of course, a morale boost is not the only benefit for Barrow. The financial rewards of FA Cup success through TV money and prize money for winning can make a huge difference.
"It's marvellous. We can offer the possibility of a bonus for the players which is unusual for us," he said.
| I'm only happy with a draw if we don't win! Barrow chairman Brian Keen |
"We can pay off the little bills that we've accrued and it just makes it stronger throughout the club. It's magic."
But Barrow's chairman is not just in it for the money. Not for him the possibility of a potentially lucrative replay back at the Memorial Stadium - Keen wants a second-round spot secured on Saturday.
"I'm only happy with a draw if we don't win!" he said.
"We want to get it over and done with on Saturday so we can be around the television for the draw on Sunday with our teeth in the wood of the telly and fingers crossed.
"We'll give it a really big shot and I hope the cameras witness a banana skin for Bristol Rovers."
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