Holker Street Newsletter 100 - 18th May 1998

This edition marks a particular milestone for the Newsletter as it is edition number 100. When I started producing this Newsletter, I had no idea what to expect of it, or how it would develop, and as the first Newsletter which went out in mid-October to only a handful of people, it’s something of a pleasant surprise to know there are well over a 100 people on the mailing list scattered, quite literally, around the globe.

Therefore, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped with this Newsletter over the past seven months; Tony Kavanagh, Peter Caldwell, Richard Ingham, Derek Wilson, David Ingham, Frank Boddy, Sid Blain, Jim Whitton, Richard Postlethwaite, Geoff Payne, Steve Grisdale, Paul Darragh, Graham Murphy, Ray Stanton, are just some of the names that spring to mind, there are many, many more, so I’ve missed anyone off, please accept my apologies. Without everyone’s help over the past few months, this wouldn’t have been the success it has become. Here’s to the next 100 editions.

Finally, you may remember that sometime ago I asked if anyone had the League tables from Barrow’s first stint in the Northern Premier League, well I’m glad to be able to report that Ray Stanton, the chap who sent the Lancashire Combination League tables, has kindly provided the missing link, so thanks very much for that.


AFC BOSS LOOKS TO BRING BROTHER OF EVERTON ACE TO HOLKER STREET
Owen Talks to Torquay Star
By Phil Pearson, Evening Mail, Wednesday 13 May

Torquay defender Alex Watson, brother of Everton’s Dave Watson, is having talks with Barrow AFC boss Owen Brown about a possible move to Holker Street. The 30-year-old tough-tackling centre-half started his career with Liverpool and made nine full first team appearances before being sold to Bournemouth for UKP150,000 in 1991. He has been with Torquay since 1995 and last season was voted the player of the year after being the only man to start every League game. The 6ft 1ins defender is still a regular first-team player with United and last Sunday won the man-of-the-match award when the Third Division side defeated Scarborough 3-1 in the playoffs Semi Final First Leg. Brown’s interest in Liverpudlian Watson started this week when he heard on the soccer grapevine he is unhappy about terms offered for next season and could be looking for a move. The AFC boss said: "Torquay have offered him less money than he is on now, so he might decide to move back up north and we are in pole position. As a player he’s just like his brother Dave. He’s a winner and the more we I get of them the better. I’ve had a decent conversation with him and he could be interested."

Brown also confirmed he is tracking a couple of strikers for next season, but he flatly denied rumours circulating that he was going to make an approach for former AFC striker Andy Whittaker, who is now with Southport. "He is definitely not on my list," said Brown. "I am interested in a couple of strikers, but Whittaker is not one of them."

Brown has already drawn up his retain list from last season’s squad and said three, or possibly four, players will be told they are to be released on their return from holiday in Spain on Thursday. "I’m not willing to say who we will let go until I have spoken to he lads themselves," added Brown.


MAILSPORT: CHAMPIONS BARROW AFC LETTERS SPECIAL

IT WAS THE BEST OF TIMES
I am writing to congratulate Barrow AFC on a wonderful season, not only winning the UniBond League, but also reaching the Quarter Finals of the FA Trophy. I know the squad will need strengthening, but I will say to Owen Brown, you don’t have to look at the reject list of the Football League . There are some UniBond and Conference players who could be assets to AFC. From Hyde United I would look at three players, being Dave Nolan, Ged Kimmins and Lutel James, and from Runcorn there is striker Liam Watson.

Another pleasing aspect this season was the Barrow goals came from all departments of the team and not just Neil Morton. Now I would like to thank Brown and his squad and Stephen Vaughan and his fellow directors for backing them up. Also most of all the fans for turning up home and away to support AFC. And while speaking about away games, I cannot finish this letter without thanking Jenny Smith and her family, John Shepard and other officials of the Official Supporters’ Club for organising our travel this season, and Clarkson’s Coaches for putting up with us.

Thank you everyone for a memorable and exciting season.

R J ROGERS
Barrow


CHEERS FOR YOUR CASH DONATIONS

I would like to take this opportunity to show my thanks to all of those supporters of Barrow AFC who have contributed to the Raise the Roof fund. Once again they have raised a more than useful sum of money for, and on behalf of, our team. I did intend to thank you all by the way of the public address system during our last home game against Hyde United, however the enormity of it all more than put paid to that idea. So once again, many thanks for your continued support, see you all, and a hopefully quite a few others, next season at Holker Street.

GRAHAM MUTTON
Highlands Avenue, Barrow


WHEN FERRARI WAS TOP CLASS

What about the day when Barrow AFC had an Italian centre forward named Ferrari? That’s going back a few years, but I’ve been following Barrow for well over 70 years and I have plenty of great memories from Holker Street. I’m 84 now and I can recall some good old names, the likes of Tom and Ben Brelsford and Hamilton from Glasgow Rangers. He was called Bull Hamilton and was a fullback who was signed sine die from Scottish football. Then there was Ernie Sugget, an outside right who could really send them over. Little Freddie Foster, another right winger and Arthur Mew from Manchester United, a goalkeeper who punched shots to the halfway line. I remember Jack Banks the trainer. It was a well-known fact that when he had them training it meant a run up to the woods and then a game of cards and back again. Yes I could write a book of all names I remember like Nobby Clark a local goalkeeper, Tom Pickard another goalie, a halfback called Murray, who was a real class player, Eric Parker, another local lad and Possy from Ulverston. Perhaps the best player we ever had was Andy McLaren, an inside right and a Scottish international who came to us from Preston North End. Yes they were the good old days when Barrow AFC had good average gates of 8000 and when more than 1000 unemployed could get in free for the last fifteen minutes.

Barrow are now in the Conference and I wish the club the best of luck, but I’m afraid we will have to get about half a dozen better players.

BILL L


TWO STADIUMS IS SHEER FOLLY

It has given me immense pleasure to see both Barrow AFC and Barrow RLFC at the top of their respective Leagues. I am sure that Barrow AFC’s victory over Boston United on April 21, when they clinched the League title, gave immense pleasure to the supporters and to the town in general. After the redundancies at VSEL, the closure of British Cellophane and also the K-Shoe factory at Askam, it is high time that the people of Furness had something to shout about. Will 1998 be the year which sees both clubs promoted? Let us hope so. Best of luck next season in the Conference.

Now that Barrow RLFC have completed one merger (with Carlisle Border Raiders) it is now an opportune moment for another merger, that of ground-sharing with Barrow AFC. Neither club can afford the luxury of having its own ground, and simple economies bear this out. Such mergers have been done in other towns (Bristol, Huddersfield, Hull and Leigh quickly spring to mind) and work well. As a native Barrovian and having visited both Craven Park and Holker Street many times in the 1940s, 50s and 60s, I would suggest that Craven Park is the better stadium, although it does need modernising. To continue to have two stadiums in Barrow is sheer folly, and a recipe for financial suicide. Nevertheless, let us indulge ourselves in the fact that Barrow AFC have won their League and hope that Barrow Border Raiders will make it a special year for everyone in the town.

R TYSON
Derwent Close, Alsager, Cheshire


WHY NOT SIGN BARROVIAN STEVENS?

Owen Brown has said he wants to sign 'quality' players for Barrow’s Conference campaign. Such a player, I note, has just come on to the open market with three particular qualities besides his undoubted skill.

1: He has played at Premiership level in England and Scotland as well as representing his country.
2: He is a former teammate of current Holker Street defender Dave Higgins.
3: He is a BARROVIAN. I refer, of course, to Gary Stevens, freed by Tranmere.

Owen, take note.

A TEESDALE
Kendal


THANKS FOR SOME FINE MEMORIES

Can I add my congratulations to Barrow AFC on their fine season. Everyone has given their best, from chairman Stephen Vaughan, manager Owen Brown, all the players and right down to Jim Mutton and his ground staff. My own opinion on why our season has been a success is because of a superb defence and a great keeper in Steve Farrelly. I put Dave Higgins, Paul Jones and Eddie Johnston on a par with Bill Leigh, George Forbes and George Summerbee. I can think of no higher praise than that. We also have a great play maker and captain in Gary Bauress. I thank you all for some fine memories.

A COOMBS
Whitehead Street, Barrow (60 years a supporter)


Now the rest of the news

OFFICERS’ HARD WORK PAYS OFF

Barrow Police say intruders who have targeted Barrow AFC Sports and Leisure Club in recent weeks are not being allowed to get away with it. Head of Barrow CID, DI Ian McBride, was speaking after two youths were arrested and charged in connection with the latest break-in on Monday night during which taunting messages were scrawled on four doors. It was the fourth time in five weeks the premises have been broken into and ransacked. DI McBride emphasised that 'hard work' by police officers had resulted in arrests after every one of the incidents. "Those arrests were the result of hard work by officers and we wouldn’t like anyone to be under the impression that we weren’t doing anything about the situation," he said. "In every single case, people have been arrested within about twelve hours of the break-in being reported. In the latest incident, two people were arrested within two hours of the first report," DI McBride said.

Previous break-ins at the club took place on April 3, April 19 and May 4 with intruders running amuck, smashing property and stealing money and alcohol. Club secretary and director Pat Brewer said yesterday they were now looking ‘at the whole security issue' to prevent further incidents.


YOKEL HEROES - CHELTENHAM LIFT THE FA TROPHY
Cheltenham Town 1 Southport 0

Jason Eaton can finally enjoy his stag night after scoring the goal that won Cheltenham their first FA Trophy. Eaton was due to celebrate his last weeks of freedom on Saturday night, but had to cancel his plans when Cheltenham reached Wembley in non-League football’s biggest knockout competition. “My young lady will be very proud today,” beamed Eaton, who headed home with just eleven minutes left on the clock after Jamie Victory had flicked on an in-swinging free-kick. Cheltenham were lucky to still be in the game, having faced a Southport onslaught for much of the match. They had only goalkeeper Steve Book to thank for keeping the scores goalless against a Southport side which included the oldest man to reach a Wembley Final. On a day when Clive Walker won his fourth FA Cup Trophy in five years at the age of 40, he was not the oldest man on the pitch. Taking that accolade was Southport’s 41-year-old defender Paul Futcher. But Walker is intent on taking his record next season, saying: “This is marvellous – I am looking forward to playing here again next year. When you feel the adrenaline there seems no reason to give up playing.” Cheltenham manager Steve Cotterill celebrated the historic victory with relish, but made it clear that he may not be at the club next season to help them defend their Trophy. “I want to manage a League club, whether that comes at Cheltenham or not,” admitted Cotterill. “The directors will not stand in my way if a good offer comes along, and I am sure the supporters will not begrudge me leaving for a bigger club. “But that is all pie in the sky at the moment. Now I can just look back at a fantastic season for Cheltenham. What an advert for non-League football we have seen today at Wembley.”


NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE 1972/3

P W D L F A Pts H A
Boston United 46 27 16 3 88 34 70 1-1 1-5
Scarborough 46 26 9 11 72 39 61 2-3 0-5
Wigan Athletic 46 23 14 9 69 38 60 0-1 0-1
Altrincham 46 22 16 8 75 55 60 1-2 1-1
Bradford PA 46 19 17 10 63 50 55 0-4 2-4
Stafford Rangers 46 20 11 15 64 46 51 2-0* 0-7
Gainsborough Trinity 46 18 13 15 70 50 49 1-1 0-5
Northwich Victoria 46 17 15 14 74 62 49 3-0 1-4
Netherfield 46 20 9 17 68 65 49 0-1 3-0
Macclesfield Town 46 16 16 14 58 47 48 0-2 0-1
Ellesmere Port Town 46 18 11 17 52 56 47 1-2 0-4
Skelmersdale United 46 15 16 15 58 59 46 3-0 2-2
Bangor City 46 16 13 17 70 60 45 2-0 0-3
Mossley 46 17 11 18 70 73 45 1-0 3-3
Morecambe 46 17 11 18 62 70 45 0-1 1-3
Great Harwood 46 14 15 17 63 74 43 0-3 1-3
South Liverpool 46 12 19 15 47 57 43 2-1 2-1
Runcorn 46 15 12 19 75 78 42 0-0 0-2
Goole Town 46 13 13 20 64 73 39 2-4 1-4
South Shields 46 17 4 25 64 81 38 1-2 1-3*
Matlock Town 46 11 11 24 42 80 33 4-1 0-5
Lancaster City 46 10 11 25 53 78 31 3-1 0-3
BARROW 46 12 6 28 52 101 30 x-x x-x
Fleetwood 46 5 15 26 31 77 25 3-2* 1-0

* Played on a Sunday

Thanks to Ray Stanton for this.