The support shown by Barrow AFC bans is 'like nothing I've ever seen before', according to head coach Stephen Clemence.

Followers of the Bluebirds will have yet another long trip this weekend for the top-of-the-table clash away at Gillingham.

This came after over 2,500 supporters travelled to London in midweek to see their side take on Premier League juggernauts Chelsea in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

Clemence said: "The noise the fans made on Tuesday throughout the game was like nothing I've ever seen before, I've never seen anything like it.

"It really meant a lot to us, especially with the score-line quickly going against us, and that's why we spent five or six minutes after the game just applauding them from the pitch."

Read more: Barrow AFC fans did the town proud against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge | The Mail (nwemail.co.uk)

For Clemence, who arrived at Barrow in the summer following a six-month stint at Saturday's opponents, the level of support from the fanbase is something he has already grown used to.

"They've been like this since the first day I arrived, and I can't thank them enough for that.

"The fans have really made me feel welcome at the club, which is obviously a big thing when you're coming into a new environment."

Barrow might be relying on the backing of their supporters on Saturday for what promises to be their toughest test of this young season.

With the Gills sitting in second - only below Barrow on goals scored - it will be a test for Clemence and his team to prove whether they will be in a similar position come the end of the campaign.

Read more: Barrow AFC boss hoping to avoid more walking wounded | The Mail (nwemail.co.uk)

It is a season that is already stretching the squad - with the likes of Robbie Gotts, Connor Mahoney and Sam Barnes currently facing spells on the sidelines.

Clemence added: "We're coming into a really busy period, where we have something like seven games in 21 days.

"We already know that we're going to be without a couple of players, and I'll only know who we've definitely got to call upon once we've had our final training session [on Friday]."