New Barrow AFC Manager Adam Murray Begins Rebuild After Player Departures
Barrow AFC have appointed Adam Murray as their new first-team manager, with the move coming just days before the club confirmed that six players would leave Holker Street this summer.
Murray has joined the Bluebirds on a deal running until the summer of 2028. His arrival follows Barrow’s relegation from League Two, with the club now preparing for life back in the National League.
The appointment also comes at a time of major change in the squad. Barrow confirmed on May 14 that six players would depart following the end of their contracts, while several loan players have returned to their parent clubs.
Although the club has not publicly said that Murray directly made every decision on the retained and released list, the timing strongly suggests the new manager will now have a major say in shaping the squad for next season.
Murray joins after promotion success
Murray arrives at Barrow after leaving Kidderminster Harriers, where he had just guided the club back into the National League through the play-offs.
His departure from Kidderminster came only three days after their promotion. BBC Sport reported that Harriers said a club “presently in the English Football League” had triggered a release clause in Murray’s contract, before Barrow later confirmed him as their new manager.
Barrow chairman Paul Hornby said the club had identified Murray early because of his track record, current performances and footballing philosophy. Hornby also pointed to Murray being a young and ambitious manager with experience in England and Europe, as well as two promotions into the National League in the past four years.
That promotion record will be important for Barrow, who now need to reset quickly after a difficult campaign.
A difficult season at Holker Street
Barrow’s 2025/26 season ended in relegation from League Two, with the club dropping back into the National League.
It was also a season of major instability. BBC Sport reported that five different managers, including full-time and interim appointments, took charge of Barrow during the campaign.
That level of change is rarely helpful for a squad. It can affect playing style, recruitment, confidence and consistency. Murray’s appointment on a contract until 2028 gives the club a chance to bring in a clearer long-term plan.
For supporters, the key question will be whether Barrow can turn the disappointment of relegation into a stronger, more settled rebuild.
Six players leaving Barrow
The managerial appointment has been followed by confirmation that six players are leaving the club this summer.
The departing players are:
- Niall Canavan
- Sam Foley
- Connor Mahoney
- Tyler Walker
- Kane Hemmings
- Angus MacDonald
Barrow also confirmed that several loan players have returned to their parent clubs, while goalkeeper Wyll Stanway has had a one-year contract extension option triggered.
The departures include experienced names, most notably Canavan and Foley, who have both played important roles for the club in recent seasons.
Is the retained list linked to Murray’s arrival?
It is fair to link the two stories, but with some caution.
Murray was announced as Barrow manager on May 12, and the retained and released list followed on May 14. That means the decisions were made around the same time as his arrival.
However, retained lists are often shaped by several factors. These can include contract end dates, wage budgets, relegation, player plans, recruitment strategy and discussions already taking place before a new manager is confirmed.
So it would be too strong to say Murray alone caused the six departures unless the club states that directly. A more accurate reading is that his appointment and the released list are both part of the same wider rebuild.
The club now needs a squad built for the National League, and Murray will be expected to lead that process.
Why the rebuild matters
Barrow face a big summer.
The National League is a demanding division, and returning to the Football League is rarely simple. Clubs need physical strength, consistency, depth and players who understand the pace and style of the league.
Murray’s recent experience could help. He has just won promotion from National League North with Kidderminster and has previous promotion experience with AFC Fylde.
That background may be one reason Barrow moved quickly to appoint him. The club needs someone who understands what it takes to build a competitive squad outside the EFL.
Supporters waiting for new signings
With six players leaving and loan players returning elsewhere, attention will now turn to new signings.
Barrow will need to replace experience, leadership and attacking options. They will also need to decide which areas of the squad require the most urgent work before pre-season begins.
For Murray, the challenge is clear. He must bring stability after a chaotic season, build a squad suited to the National League, and give supporters reason to believe Barrow can compete again.
The departures may feel like the end of an era for some fans, especially with long-serving players moving on. But they also give Murray room to reshape the team in his own image.
Barrow’s new manager has arrived with a strong recent promotion record. The next test is whether he can turn a difficult moment for the Bluebirds into the start of a successful rebuild.
