Here is a letter I wrote to Sky Sports asking why the lack of coverage.



Can anyone from Sky Sports explain why an up and coming rugby league team like Barrow Raiders still haven't been televised this season? A majority of teams like Widnes, Leigh and Gateshead are getting plenty of publicity and yet Barrow have beaten all but Halifax and are sitting second in their respected league. Barrow also gave Super League Giants Wigan a run for the money and were pretty discredited from your commentaters? A lot of effott is being put in behind the scean to the Raiders side to promote the club and it should be rewarded!

Barrow have a large and loyal fan base which creates a great atmosphere which would show Rugby League is a family game to watch, that would give Sky Sports and Barrow rlfc credit.

Yours from a discruntle Viewer

Gareth Martin

IT's always widnes and leigh then barrie mac and terry o'conner dont have to travel far

i asked myself this very question last night

fair comment, leigh were on at home to fev, the return fixture is on tv week after next, and leigh featured this week against widnes.

also been on orange france tv too when playing toulouse

Lo and behold, you get a feature on Boots N All.

I suppose if ya dont ask, ya dont get!! I asked and I got, ironic????
I'll be asking for sky to televise a game next!!

How about a recorded match every night? Every match would have a video ref then as well!

??? fair shout "the dors" but wouldn't yourself be a little discrunted if Halifax weren't getting any coverage?
All I ask is for Barrow who get bigger crowds than most National League sides and if ya didn't notice are sitting second in the league after just being promoted, get a bit of recognition for the hardwork thats been done at Craven Park.

Yeah but if you think about it TV schedules are decided well before the season starts. I think Fax and Widnes were probably favourites for the league at the start of season which is why we've been on a few times each thus far. We were on the TV twice last year but finished 3rd behind the 2 full time clubs. You are the new boys (in this league) and I don't think anybody realised just how many good signings you lot had made and how you'd do.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, everybody knows you're doing awesome this year, the table doesn't lie, and the club is making all the right noises. Hopefully all the clubs that are doing the hard work in this league will get some kind of recognition come 2011.

End up 2nd this season and you'll get more coverage next season.

They might only put your games on Sky twice, maybe three times, but they'll mention you more if you end this season on a high and start off next season well. That'll show it's not just a flash in the pan.

Good luck.

will affect the times you are on SKY

Personally I dont think the thursday Championship TV deal is working , it costs the club gate revenue and I dont think any clubs are making much if any extra profits from sponsorship because of it

I would have said a Monday night highlights programme featuring a match from each division would be better for our competition and the clubs in it

You'll get plenty of coverage in the play-offs, panic not.

I think everyone at Sky thought Widnes, Fax, Leigh, Haven for the title. You've been the surprise package and I don't think you can really blame Sky for that.

why have dons been on sky more than us then?

Because they have a shiny new stadium and they can then say yet again " Wouldn't it be great to have this stadium in SL " for the umpteenth time

What about Dewsbury Rams V Keighley Cougars?????? Televised 11/06/09
York V Oldham??????? Televised 25/06/09
Why would these teams get televised before Barrow???
No fancy stadiums there!
Lower crowds!
Lower league positions this season AND last season!

Oldham and Dewsbury probably favourites pre-season.

Fair point! But surely half way through the season, sky (the powers that be) could and can amend any televised fixtures. And maybe broadcast a team that is currently top of the championship and in the quarter finals of the national rail cup!!

Exactly what we said last season!

no worries you got your wish you are on against fev in the semi

Fev have been on more than most sides I believe, prob the Harris / Powell factor there!

As mentioned Sky wouldn't of f expected much from Barrow this year, even with your recruitment they know sweet FA anyway!

They also have to split the L2 fixtures as well so can't really grumble at that! I am sure you'll be on more for the latter end of the year!

prob do do with your stadia not having a go but they do like to show modern stadiums. not old 1s that look like something out of world war 1.you need to start building a new 1 now if u have anychance of sl.

Plans have already been submitted for the renevation of Craven Park. Both ends bar the popular side are to be knocked down and turned into seated terracing, while the popular side shall be freshened up and modernised.

and again im not been funny i think you have made big inroads with your playing and backing like ourselfs.But will the rfl take u seriously after wakey / cas/ salford all say they had plans and they are all falling through?.And on the subject of sky games i think we are going to play u live on sky at your place so its been said on our board anyway so someone must be listening to ya .should be a cracker

If des is willing to keep supporting the club i dont see why not. but its not just des who is pushing the team onwards, the community and town are now becoming more and more aware of what is happening at the club. I am more than certain that with the sustained support barrow can push for super league. And yes, to your second point. Cant wait! should be a classic. think it will be a better spectacle than the final in all honesty. barrow at full strength aswell with widnes.

Barrow never off the telly these days !