BARROW AFC are using last season’s heartache as the driving force behind their bid for promotion, according to Dean Campbell.

 The Bluebirds dropped out of the automatic promotion slots after losing to Gillingham last Saturday and to Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday night.

The Cumbrians have still enjoyed a good start to the season, and remain fired up after agonisingly missing out on the League Two play-offs on the final day last season under Pete Wild.

 The wheels well and truly fell off during the run-in as two points from a possible 21 saw them finish outside of the coveted top seven.

 That spelled the end of Wild’s tenure at Holker Street as they club decided they wanted a fresh start following a post-season review. 

 Scottish midfielder Campbell, who missed just one league game last season, told SportsBoom.com “We’ve got to use the disappointment of that to put it right this season.

 “There’s a lot of motivation this season. We were hurting at the time, but it’s a new season with the same goals.

 “It was a tough one last season, but we know what it takes to be up there.

 “We got off to a great start in the first half of the season, but didn’t show good enough form at the end to get over the line.

 “It was a very difficult end to the season for us, but we have a strong belief in our dressing room in what we want to achieve.”

 Now Campbell believes the goal of promotion can be realised under new boss Stephen Clemence.

Speaking about the Barrow AFC head coach, he said: “He’s been fantastic since coming in,” added Campbell.

“He’s spreading confidence among everyone. I really love playing for him, he builds me up every day and makes me confident as a player.

“As a midfielder myself, he’s been great at passing on information to make me better as a player.

“He’s been good. He’s got us front-footed, and it’s been rewarded with some good wins.

 “He played at a high level and knows what it takes to get there, the standards required and he’s driving those standards.”

 The full interview can be found at: https://www.sportsboom.com/football/