With N.L. on their chests, Barrow AFC take to Stamford Bridge for match with Chelsea

A David versus Goliath matchup in England's EFL Cup had some Newfoundland and Labrador representation on Tuesday, when fourth-division English side Barrow AFC strode into the legendary Stamford Bridge stadium for a game with Chelsea FC.

The Newfoundland and Labrador government is the shirt sponsor of Barrow. The partnership, which will last for two seasons, cost $171,000. Keyin College also put $120,000 into an agreement with Barrow, which will see the school's logo also on the jersey's sleeve.

Blair Connolly, the school's director of international admissions, is part of the province's delegation who went to see the match. Immigration, Population Growth and Skills Minister Sarah Stoodley was also in attendance, according to a government news release issued on Sept. 19.

"This is like a cathedral of football, so to have an opportunity to catch this is incredible. And for Newfoundland and Labrador and Keyin in particular to be in the spotlight is amazing," Connolly told CBC Radio from Stamford Bridge.

The two teams were fighting for the EFL Cup, a competition open to the top four levels of English football.

Although Barrow is three tiers of competition lower than Chelsea, the game gives the club a chance to face higher competition. The club travelled to Chelsea for the first time since 1948, where it was watched by a reported crowd of 38,868 people.

Chelsea won the match 5-0 on Tuesday evening.

Connolly said he was able to connect with local fans of Barrow who made the trip to London for the match, sharing stories of the province and the connections between the United Kingdom and Newfoundland and Labrador.

"We learned a lot about Barrow, and hopefully they learned a lot about Newfoundland and Labrador," he said.

"We feel this is a very unique opportunity, a very unique partnership, and we are looking for, at the core of it … the grassroots benefit for our soccer programs at home and for exposure for Newfoundland and Labrador on a global perspective."

Keyin College also held a watch party in St. John's for the match on Tuesday. 

Charlie Reid, executive director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association, called seeing the province's name on the jerseys significant.

"They see international players playing international ball and the sport they love, so I think it's incredible that our membership across the province can have an opportunity to see this," he said.

Keyin is giving the association $30,000 over three years to support grassroots soccer initiatives in the province.

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