Barrow AFC supporters are taking their fight to get back into football grounds to the Houses of Parliament.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Bluebirds fans have been unable to watch their side in their opening fixtures following promotion to the Football League for the first time in 48 years.

Limited numbers were set to be allowed back in from next week - but that plan has been paused due to the renewed spike in Furness cases.

It has prompted a number of clubs to push for the decision to be changed.

The Bluebirds Trust, the club’s supporter club, has penned an open letter to Barrow MP Simon Fell and his predecessor John Woodcock, who now sits in the House of Lords, to ask the pair to lobby the Government over reinstating fans to grounds.

In a letter to both, the Trust said: “We want to highlight that football is bigger than just a 90 minute game’. Football clubs are employers of many local people, the start of many dreams, the pinnacle of people’s careers and a community hub for a huge demographic,

“Without help, financial support and fans; football clubs will very quickly cease to exist; we were one of the first industries to stop and will be one of the last to restart.”

“Football without fans is nothing.”

Responding this week, Mr Fell said: “I’m really keen to try and make as much progress as we can with this over the coming weeks and months.

"But we have to remember we’re in the middle of a pandemic at the same time.

“We have to remember also that Barrow is where it is currently, with the current R rate in and around the town at a level that has required new restrictions.

“I met with the Culture Secretary earlier this week to discuss this, among other things.

"They are acutely aware there are going to be a lot of clubs that could face bankruptcy. We want to find a way to open things up - but it has to be done in a safe and sensible manner.”

Lord Walney said he ‘applauded’ the Bluebird Trust’s efforts and said government support was ‘vital’.

He said: "I'm going to offer to the club to lend any support I can give to help them make that case and seek whatever financial support mechanisms can be made available at a time when ministers have regrettably withdrawn a number of forms of financial aid for residents.

"We have to ensure they have a secure, financially-viable club to get behind once this is all over.

"The Government has to step up and deliver something in line with their stated ambitions. Piecemeal reaction would simply not be good enough - we can do better.

"These are vital community assets."