Football
Exclusive: Dean Campbell Ready to Lead Barrow in Historic Stamford Bridge Showdown
Barrow's Dean Campbell is ready to lead his team in a historic Carabao Cup clash against Premier League Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Discover how the League Two side is preparing for this giant-killing opportunity.
Image Credits: Jon Hobley | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Barrow midfielder Dean Campbell is relishing the challenge of conjuring up a magical giant killing at Premier League Chelsea in Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup clash.
It is one of the biggest nights in the club’s 123-year history as they head to Stamford Bridge bidding to reach the fourth round for the first time ever.
Barrow’s Big Night at Stamford Bridge
The League Two table toppers are out for history and to prove they are no pushover, and Campbell is no stranger to starring on the big stage. The Scot famously scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Stevenage stunned top-flight Aston Villa in the third round of the FA Cup last year.
“It will be a great occasion,” former Aberdeen and Kilmarnock man Campbell told SportsBoom.com.
“It’s a really exciting time for everyone involved in the club, it’s a great occasion for the players, the staff and the fans.”
It’s something that doesn’t happen often, having the chance to go and play a Premier League side.
Dean Campbell
Chasing Giant-Killing Glory
“We’re going to cherish every moment of it because it’s a massive occasion, but we’ll also be trying our best to achieve something from it.”
“It’s an amazing experience to play at a stadium like Stamford Bridge with the history that it has.”
“I’ve been lucky enough to play at some big stadiums and win like Villa Park and Ibrox, but Chelsea are the biggest team I’ve ever played, and it would be right up there with my achievements if we were to achieve a result.”
Barrow’s Reward for Hard Work
The Bluebirds secured their spot in the third-round draw, for only the third time in their existence, after beating Championship club Derby County on penalties.
Immediately after that memorable triumph, boss Stephen Clemence revealed he was desperate for a huge tie as a deserved reward for his players’ effort.
Chelsea and Barrow were the last two names left in the hat as a memorable trip to the famous stadium was drawn.
The 23-year-old playmaker added: “It’s the reward we were all after. It’s a competition where all the big teams come in after the third round.”
“Once we got through the first two, and achieved a great result against Derby, we were looking to get that big.”
“Thankfully the last two teams out of the draw were Chelsea and ourselves.”
“It’s a reward for all of the hard work we’ve put in in pre-season and the start of the season and the good form we’ve shown.”
We want to go down there and enjoy the day.
Dean Campbell
The Challenge Ahead
Premier League clubs regularly rest their big-name stars against the minnows.
But with Enzo Maresca juggling a huge squad in West London, and desperate to land silverware in his first season in charge of the famous club, Campbell is under no illusions that he will be pitting his wits against some of the best players on the planet.
He stressed: “Whatever team Chelsea put out there will be full of world class players.”
“We’re not focused on who’s going to be playing. We know going down there that it will be a difficult game for us no matter who plays.”
“They will have a lot of quality, and we’ve just got to prepare to face as tough a challenge as we can.”
Shane is a respected journalist who has covered a range of sports for a number of years.