Football Season Guide

League 2

England

League 2

2021/2022

Barrow

In

Paul Farman (Goalkeeper, Carlisle United); Mark Ellis (Defender, Tranmere Rovers); Remeao Hutton (Defender, Birmingham City); Joe Grayson (Midfielder, Blackburn Rovers); Tom White (Midfielder, Blackburn Rovers); Josh Gordon (Attacker, Walsall); Offrande Zanzala (Attacker, Carlisle United)

Out

Joel Dixon (r) (Goalkeeper, Bolton Wanderers); Bobby Burns (Defender, Glentoran); Bobby Thomas (Defender, Burnley, Loan ended); Bradley Barry (r) (Defender, Stevenage); Dan Bramall (Midfielder, Barnsley, Loan); Dion Donohue (Defender, released); Neal Eardley (sp) (Defender, Burton Albion, Loan); Tom Davies (sp) (Defender, Bristol Rovers, Loan ended); Sam Hird (sp) (Defender, Bolton Wanderers); Scott Wilson (Defender, released); Yoan Zouma (Defender, released); Callum Gribbin (Midfielder, released); Chris Taylor (sp) (Midfielder, released); Calvin Andrew (sp) (Attacker, released); Courtney Baker-Richardson (Attacker, Newport County); Mikael Ndjoli (Attacker, released); Morgan Penfold (Attacker, released); Scott Quigley (k) (Attacker, Stockport County)

Mark Cooper will be hoping to start a new era for Barrow after taking over as manager this summer. He will also be hoping to succeed where he failed at Forest Green Rovers and take the Bluebirds into League One. His five-year reign at the New Lawn ended as another play-off challenge faltered, meanwhile Barrow were scrapping for their Football League lives under caretaker boss Rob Kelly. Kelly was a rather unsung hero as without him the club’s return to the Football League would have been a very short one indeed. He cleaned up the mess left by David Dunn and Michael Jolley before quitting in the summer and leaving a solid base for Cooper to build upon. Alas Cooper has lost two key men in goalkeeper Joel Dixon, who has joined former manager Ian Evatt at Bolton Wanderers, and striker and leading goalscorer Scott Quigley, who asked to leave and has signed for National League side Stockport County. The Bluebirds moved quickly to capture goalkeeper Paul Farman and striker Offrande Zanzala from Cumbrians rivals whilst defender Mark Ellis has signed following an impressive loan spell at Notts County. Midfielder Tom White was outstanding as part of the National League winning side whilst on loan from Blackburn Rovers and has now returned on a permanent deal. Cooper has something to prove after failing to get Forest Green Rovers promoted, whilst Barrow are still to establish themselves back in the League. It could prove to be a mutually beneficial partnership.

Target

Survival. The appointment of Cooper hints at loftier ambitions but avoiding another relegation battle would be a good achievement.