This weekend sees the re-staging of the postponed New Years Eve trip to Barrow, weather permitting. As I sit here now, on a beautifully fine Friday morning, things look set fair for the match to go ahead. I'm sure I was informed, by an old sage earlier this week, that snow was forecast for this weekend. However he did have some form of bottle, almost concealed by brown paper, in his grasp - so it obviously wasn't John Kettley then......or was it?

The match at Barrow is our second Derby clash of the season and should we win it Town will become the pride of Cumbria. Not that I'm doubting we are already ranked as such. It will be a tough contest, Paul Charlton's charges did well at Batley last week, perhaps with a touch from lady luck assisting them, and they will be fired up on Sunday.

Hopefully the Town Army will be on hand to generate a Derby atmosphere. Having said that it always seems rather less of a genuine Derby to me when we play the Furnessmen.

The passion generated by both the players and fans is not anywhere near as volatile (is that a correct description?) as when we meet our nearer, much nearer but not dearer, foe. Barrow is approx. 60 miles away, so every mile over 5 dilutes the Derby feeling, don't you agree?

I have also asked in the Town Review on many occasions, and repeat here - would a match between.. err let me see... okay, Leeds and Leigh be considered a Derby? Of course not, I'm a silly boy eh? Because they are located in different counties, but hey - check it out - they are nearer to each other than Barra and Wukkinton.

Of course the Barrovians are indeed Cumbrian, but in truth very begrudgingly, having been subjected to the controversial border change many years ago. These off-comers do not (will never) speak the authentic dialect of our beloved county. For example: laal, marra, skut, shut, divvent, shadder, etc, etc, are not words associated with Barra folk. They say "Barrow, skirt, shirt, shadow" etc. Are they posh or what?

Another downside of what has been described as "the biggest cul-de-sac in the country" is the road network. Especially the horrendous one up the coast to West Cumbria. Whether you choose the shortcut over Corney Fell or do the longer journey via Whicham Valley it is invariably a hair-raising trip (yes even for me) and other bodily contents are raised quite often too. And watch out for the Sheep.... Shearer.

No worries though I think we will enjoy the day out whatever obstacles we confront, be there townies...if not tune in to the radio and hear the Worky, Worky anthem in full cry.

Actually Ivor on the mike - he of Radio Cumbria's 'dropped aitch' fame - will probably cover the match, and hopefully be saying something like - 'ells fire Barrow 'ave 'ad it now, 'etherington 'as 'oofed over an hexcellent (Ivor also hadds an aitch at times) conversion and the 'ooter 'as sounded with Town hahead following a second 'alf blitz....hopefully not of snow.
K.S.