Six Players to Leave Barrow AFC After Retained List Confirmed
Barrow AFC have confirmed that six players will leave the club this summer as the Bluebirds begin preparing for next season.
Club captain Niall Canavan is among those departing, along with Sam Foley, Connor Mahoney, Tyler Walker, Kane Hemmings and Angus MacDonald. The club has also confirmed that five loan players have returned to their parent clubs, while goalkeeper Wyll Stanway has had a one-year contract extension option triggered.
The retained and released list comes at the end of a difficult season for Barrow, with the squad now set for changes over the summer.
Club captain Niall Canavan to leave
One of the biggest departures is Niall Canavan, who leaves Holker Street after four-and-a-half seasons with the club.
Canavan has been an important figure for Barrow since joining the Bluebirds. He made more than 180 appearances and captained the side during some of the club’s strongest seasons since returning to the Football League.
During his time at Barrow, the defender helped the club achieve its best two league finishes since promotion back into the Football League after a 48-year absence. His leadership, experience and consistency made him one of the key figures in the squad.
His exit marks the end of a significant spell for both the player and the club.
Sam Foley also departs
Sam Foley will also leave Barrow after four seasons.
Foley made 138 appearances for the club and became a popular figure with supporters. Although mainly a midfielder, he also filled in across the back line when needed, showing his versatility and commitment to the team.
He played an important role alongside Canavan during the 2022/23 and 2023/24 campaigns, when Barrow enjoyed strong league finishes.
Foley also took on a difficult role near the end of the latest season, balancing playing and coaching duties during a challenging period for the club. Despite his efforts, Barrow were unable to avoid dropping out of League Two.
Other players released
Connor Mahoney leaves Barrow after two seasons in Cumbria. He made 72 appearances for the Bluebirds and scored seven goals.
Forwards Tyler Walker and Kane Hemmings will also depart, while Angus MacDonald leaves following the end of his short-term deal.
The released players are:
- Niall Canavan
- Angus MacDonald
- Sam Foley
- Connor Mahoney
- Tyler Walker
- Kane Hemmings
The departures leave Barrow with several areas of the squad to rebuild before the new campaign.
Loan players return to parent clubs
Five loan players have also left the club after returning to their parent sides.
Jovan Malcolm, Freddie Anderson, Josh Gordon, Jack Thompson and Brandon Powell have all gone back to their parent clubs following their loan spells.
Those returning are:
- Jovan Malcolm
- Freddie Anderson
- Josh Gordon
- Jack Thompson
- Brandon Powell
Loan players are often brought in to strengthen a squad during the season, but their departures mean Barrow will now need to look again at depth and options across the pitch.
Wyll Stanway extension triggered
There was also confirmation that goalkeeper Wyll Stanway will remain with the club after Barrow triggered a one-year extension option.
That gives the Bluebirds some continuity in goal as they head into the summer.
The players still under contract include Killian Barrett, Ben Winterbottom, Lewis Shipley, Joe Anderson, Charlie Raglan, MJ Williams, Ben Jackson, Rekeem Harper, Charlie McCann, Scott Smith, Jack Earing, Isaac Fletcher, Elliot Newby, Ben Whitfield, Danny Rose, Innes Cameron, Katia Kouyate and Tom Barkhuizen.
A summer of change at Holker Street
The retained and released list signals the start of an important summer for Barrow.
Several experienced players are leaving, including long-serving figures who have played a major part in recent seasons. Canavan and Foley, in particular, have been closely linked with the club’s progress over the past few years.
The focus will now turn to recruitment, contract planning and how Barrow build a squad capable of responding next season.
For supporters, the departures will bring mixed feelings. Some players leave with strong records and good memories at Holker Street, while the club now has to look ahead and reshape the team for the next chapter.
