Exclusive: New Barrow Boss Andy Whing Looking to Make Immediate Impact

Andy Whing has been forced to swop Champions League action for Sky Bet League Two football but the new Barrow boss couldn’t be happier.

The 40-year-old succeeds Stephen Clemence at Holker Street, stepping up from National League Solihull Moors for a first ever managerial appointment in the EFL.

Saturday’s game with Grimsby Town will be the first time he’s ever visited Holker Street either as player or manager.

His second will be next Wednesday for the Bluebirds’ equally vital clash against Doncaster Rovers.

But prior to his appointment, Whing had been due to support his beloved Aston Villa in their ‘Battle of Britain’ meeting with Celtic.

“I had already paid £94 for my ticket before I got the Barrow job,” laughed Birmingham born Whing. “At least I’ve got my £94 back."

In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom.com, he said: “If it wasn’t for football I’d follow Villa home and away. Every single person in the family is a Villa fan and my mates were in Monaco-where we were rubbish by the way."

“Obviously I watch games a bit differently now. I went to Villa-West Ham in the FA Cup and it was Graham Potter’s first game."

“I was really impressed with how West Ham pressed and we were 1-0 down. I was thinking fair play to Potter."

“But then I switched back into fan mode and thought ‘we are getting beat here, sort it out Unai."

“I think though being a fan has helped me. I know what fans expect. I know how fickle they can be."

“One minute you can be the best team in the world and the next you are rubbish.”

Had things turned out differently at Solihull, the former Coventry (where he scored the Sky Blues’ last ever goal at Highfield Road), Brighton and Oxford defender might already be in the EFL.

Instead, Moors lost to Bromley on penalties in last season’s National League play-off final at Wembley, then losing by the same heartbreaking manner to Gateshead in the FA Trophy final.

“It is a massive decision,” he said of the appointment to help secure Barrow’s league status, jeopardised by a run of only one win in fifteen games.

“It is massive in terms of family life and massive in terms of opportunity."

“But I wanted to become a Football League manager. Lots of managers get their chance straight away whether in League One or Two."

“I started in step three (with Banbury United) where there is no room for error."

“If you get sacked in step two or three you aren't going upwards; you are going back the way.”

MEMORABLE PROMOTION

Fortunately for Whing he transformed Banbury’s fortunes, leading them to promotion from the Southern League into National League North before eventually leaving for Solihull. 

Ironically, there was also a 4-0 FA Cup defeat to Barrow on the record.

At Banbury, he also delivered and assembled sofas for a living as well as working at Birmingham City University’s men’s football programme.

“It was tough so I have worked hard to be in this position. I am not going to do it half hearted,” added Whing who did his due diligence on the Cumbrians before taking up his role."

One call was to Blackburn boss, John Eustace, with whom he worked at Kidderminster Harriers. Another was to old mate Mat Sadler, in charge of runaway League Two leaders, Walsall.

Whing’s assistant Craig Pead also contacted Barrow’s Coventry born former boss Ian Evatt who restored the Cumbrians’ League status in 2020 after 48 years in non league.

“Craig is good mates with ‘Evo’ who couldn’t speak highly enough of the place and the people," he added.

“I also know a couple of people who have worked here and again they have nothing bad to say about the place."

“Everyone used to say Barrow is a tough place to go but I think we have come away from that a little bit."

“I want to make sure our home ground is difficult for any away side to get anything at Holker Street starting with Grimsby.”