Clark calls for Raiders support

Clark returned as Barrow coach after Steve Deakin's exit

Barrow coach Dave Clark has called on the people of the town to get behind the club ahead of the forthcoming Championship play-offs.

Raiders won the league despite a 29-22 loss to Sheffield on Thursday and Clark hopes the supporters give their backing ahead of the knock-out stages.

"It's going to be a big challenge," he told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"I'm sure it's going to be a fantastic crowd, a sell-out and everybody from Barrow should come down and support."

The defeat against Sheffield came within 12 points to hand Raiders the crucial bonus point needed to ensure top spot, and book the club a home draw in the play-offs.

For coach Dave Clark, it has been an unsettling time as he was stood down as head coach in favour of Steve Deakin, who left the club last week with the board citing "certain issues at the club that had come to light".

And Clark believes the players deserve the credit for their efforts over the season as a whole, and particularly during the recent upheaval.

"It's a fantastic achievement for all the players, the club and Des and everything he's done for the club, everybody that's helped me, Steve Jackson, Dean Marwood and everyone who's helped me along the way" he said.

"Over the last month or so things have changed, personnel has changed, the opportunity to get back in the head coach's role was probably not the best (circumstances) but I had to take it and it was great to finish the game today."