Less than a fortnight after taking AFC back to the Football League, Barrow manager Ian Evatt, has left the club to take up the reins at League 2 rivals Bolton Wanderers, it has been announced.

The news brings an end to the saga that has been rumbling on for the past week, which has seen both clubs in a back-and-fourth tug of war over compensation. Barrow had initially set the figure at £250k, and were determined to hold their ground as the newly relegated Lancashire side attempted to low-ball them with a ‘derisory’ offer, which AFC swiftly rejected. Finally, however, an agreement has been reached on compensation which sees Evatt and his assistant, Peter Atherton, join Wanderers.

The agreement also places a 2 year embargo on Bolton Wanderers during which time they are unable to approach or sign any of the Barrow AFC playing squad.

The former Premier League side have found themselves in turmoil in the past few years with points deductions, back to back relegations and a recent administration for unpaid debts into the millions of pounds. The Trotters also currently finding themselves the subject of a transfer embargo, an automatic result of entering administration, and will be hoping Evatt can be the man to turn their fortunes around on the pitch despite the restrictions.

Former Blackpool defender Evatt was appointed Bluebirds manager in the summer of 2018 by then-chairman Paul Casson. His first season in management was an eventful one, joining a team with only seven players to its name; having to build a side from scratch capable of playing the attractive style of football he envisioned. He not only managed to do this but also managed to lead them to a top 10 finish in the National League, only a year after narrowly avoiding relegation and with a full-scale ownership change midway through the season.

The next season started with a struggle, with Evatt’s team picking up only seven points in their opening nine games. Evatt assured fans results were just around the corner and his faith in his players was repaid in style. Following a 2-1 away win at Aldershot in September, the Bluebirds went on a mammoth surge of form that shot them to the top of the National League table by November, where they remained until the season was curtailed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Uncertainty surrounded the league over how it would be resolved, with Evatt adamant the only fair solution was to promote the leaders. After months of waiting, Evatt and Barrow were given the answer they were looking for as the league voted for a motion that would see the Bluebirds return to the Football League for the first time in 48 years.

Celebration turned into more uncertainty for Barrow supporters, however, when their manager emerged as the favourite for the Bolton job last week, following the announcement that Wanderers’ manager Keith Hill would be leaving at the end of his contract. As speculation mounted, it began to overshadow what should have been a lengthy promotion honeymoon, and the tug and war over compensation and contract clauses has been playing out behind closed doors ever since.

Evatt will rightly be thanked and remembered for his achievements at Holker Street, but the timings and manner of his departure will leave a bitter taste for many Barrow fans whose dreams he had help make a reality.

AFC will begin their search for a new manager within the coming days.