By Matt Bishop
National League strugglers Barrow have invited dozens of school children to an open training session tomorrow as new boss Ady Pennock attempts to build links with the local community.
Former Forest Green Rovers and Gillingham manager Pennock was given the Bluebirds job last week, and sees developing a good relationship with the local area as a major aim.
As a result, youngsters from half-a-dozen local schools will be at Holker Street tomorrow morning for the chance to meet members of the Barrow squad, and watch them train ahead of next weekend's clash with high-flying Macclesfield.
Speaking to The Mail, Pennock said: “It's a good opportunity for us, with us not playing on the Saturday, to come up on the Friday and meet the kids – the next generation of supporters.
“It's really important to have that connection.
“Obviously, everyone knows we are based in Manchester with the training facility, but every opportunity we can, we want to come up here.”
Pennock hopes the open session will encourage youngsters to support AFC, and boost the club's engagement with the community in the future.
The manager is planning to sit down with Barrow's community team, and said: “I most definitely would like to do more events like this.“We will be looking at getting the players to go round schools, the hospital, just generally put the word around that we are here – it's not just on Saturdays.
“When me and Andrew [Casson, the AFC managing director] met, we both got our heads together and thought it would be a good idea. We're looking forward to it.
“We want that togetherness with the community. Even though we're in Manchester, we want to give something back and get closer to the community.”
National League strugglers Barrow have invited dozens of school children to an open training session tomorrow as new boss Ady Pennock attempts to build links with the local community.
Former Forest Green Rovers and Gillingham manager Pennock was given the Bluebirds job last week, and sees developing a good relationship with the local area as a major aim.
As a result, youngsters from half-a-dozen local schools will be at Holker Street tomorrow morning for the chance to meet members of the Barrow squad, and watch them train ahead of next weekend's clash with high-flying Macclesfield.
Speaking to The Mail, Pennock said: “It's a good opportunity for us, with us not playing on the Saturday, to come up on the Friday and meet the kids – the next generation of supporters.
“It's really important to have that connection.
“Obviously, everyone knows we are based in Manchester with the training facility, but every opportunity we can, we want to come up here.”
Pennock hopes the open session will encourage youngsters to support AFC, and boost the club's engagement with the community in the future.
The manager is planning to sit down with Barrow's community team, and said: “I most definitely would like to do more events like this.“We will be looking at getting the players to go round schools, the hospital, just generally put the word around that we are here – it's not just on Saturdays.
“When me and Andrew [Casson, the AFC managing director] met, we both got our heads together and thought it would be a good idea. We're looking forward to it.
“We want that togetherness with the community. Even though we're in Manchester, we want to give something back and get closer to the community.”
