CURZON Ashton Football Club have agreed to let National League side Barrow AFC use their Tameside Stadium base for training.
The Cumbrian club will be relocating their first-team training operations to Ashton-under-Lyne ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
Barrow will use both the main grass pitch and Curzon’s upgraded artificial surface as part of the new agreement.
The Bluebirds have spent the past three seasons training at FC United of Manchester’s facilities before deciding to make the move to Tameside.
In a statement, Curzon Ashton said: “We are delighted to welcome Barrow AFC to Curzon Ashton and support them as they use our ground as their new training facility. It’s a fantastic opportunity to strengthen the relationship between both clubs, and we look forward to working closely together moving forward.”
The arrangement will give Barrow guaranteed access to the stadium pitch alongside the artificial surface.
Barrow manager Adam Murray commented: “I’ve been down to Curzon a couple of times now on-site visits. We’ve got to know the people behind the scenes there and really understand how we can exist on the site in a way that benefits everybody.
“Out of all the options available to us, I believe this move gives us the best overall environment to work in on a daily basis.
“The quality of both the grass and astro surfaces was a major factor in the decision. Having guaranteed access to the stadium pitch is really important, while the astro gives us a high-quality training surface that can help us manage player loading properly across the week.”
Barrow said the decision followed a detailed review process involving Murray and club staff, with several potential training bases considered before the Tameside Stadium was selected.
The club also cited the quality of the playing surfaces and on-site facilities – including recovery areas, working spaces and dedicated cabins for staff and players – as key reasons behind the move.
Barrow added that remaining based in Greater Manchester was viewed as an important strategic decision, particularly from a recruitment and operational perspective.
The agreement comes during a period of transition for both clubs.
Curzon Ashton’s 11-year stay in the National League North ended on the final day of the 2025/26 season after relegation to the Northern Premier League Premier Division.
Barrow, meanwhile, are preparing for life back in the National League – the fifth tier of English football.