Holker Street Newsletter 1292 - 31st March 2004

Barrow drew 0-0 at Runcorn last night, and whilst it was a point earned, it was also two points dropped, as we have now used up our games in hand over Droylsden and they are still five points ahead of us, yes, we are now reliant on the Manchester side to drop points in the manner we have in the last few weeks. Looking at Barrow’s League games during March, we played seven games, winning three, drawing one, and losing the rest, we had the chance to really put the screws on Dave Pace’s team, and whilst we haven’t lost the chase yet, we have made a tad more difficult than it should be.

Looking at the table we are still third, level on points with Droylsden, but five points behind, it’s not insurmountable, only much harder that it was a couple of weeks ago. Last night also saw Worksop drop points, when they lost away to Lancaster City, whatever outside hopes Worksop had of finishing second or higher have evaporated, and it now comes down to one of two clubs able to catch Droylsden, us or Alfreton Town. If Alfreton win their two games in hand, they will be level on points with us, and have the chance to come close to us in the goal difference stakes, but they have to win their games in hand, and at this late stage of the season trying to squeeze these games in will lead to their players playing a lot of matches in quick succession. And we still have to play Alfreton at Holker Street.

It’s still very interesting, and I still believe.


SOME THOUGHTS ON THE RUNCORN GAME
From BAFC Timmy

Sorry but after watching tonight’s performance and other recent games, I feel once again we have shot ourselves in the foot. A great win against top of the League Hucknall at home and then a dismal showing away at a team who have only picked up a handful of points at home - in honesty we haven’t been playing like a team worthy of promotion, have we?

Tonight was a poor game involving two poor sides, although Barrow were the better of the two (shows how bad Runcorn really are) there was no urgency or even the hunger and desire that was shown in last Saturday’s match. Runcorn only really created one chance and Bish was called on once again to make a fabulous save - for us Knight had a one on one effort in the first half, Ridley had a 25 yard drive and Oliver hit the post (Mayers also hit the post but was offside); but Im afraid tonight we referred to long ball tactics and for me didn’t play it along the deck enough. Also Turnbull brought Lee Warren on for Oliver at the death, why on earth wasn’t Shabba brought on to try and create more pressure on their defence from our forwards? If we wanted to score surely you bring a forward on rather than a player who has only scored one League goal in his Barrow career (a penalty at Emley last season).

Yes, I can see Droylsden and the others dropping points so second could still be up for grabs; but realistically out of the remaining six games I can see ourselves struggling in all three away games at Ashton United, Worksop Town and Stalybridge Celtic where we haven’t had the best of records and possibly Alfreton Town at home - we may beat Whitby and Blyth at home.

We haven’t got a big enough squad and we need to show more physicalness and determination in every game if we have any chance of securing that precious second place in the UniBond League.

From Kieran: I wouldn't say it's the end of our chances of promotion but realistically I think we are going to have to take six wins out of the last six games to give us a chance. I really don't want to be too critical but I'm afraid on tonight’s performance you have to question the desire of the players. Second half we really should have come out and upped the pace of the game and gone at Runcorn but it just didn't happen. We didn't have anything, no urgency, no ideas, no nothing. We seemed in no particular rush towards the end, and far too often loose balls were dropping to Runcorn players in acres of space. Where was the commitment, effort and desire that was shown in the last half hour against Hucknall on Saturday? Our only tactic seemed to be long balls up to Mayers and Knight which was all too easy for the Runcorn defence to deal with. And apart from the one on one that Gavin Knight missed we didn't really have a chance. I also found it strange that we didn't bring Rankine on for the last 15-20 minutes. What we had on the pitch clearly wasn't working and I think he would of given us a different option, at least he gives it a go and runs at players. But instead Lee Warren came on, which was a bit baffling (not anything against Warren, I just don't think he was what was needed at the time).

Anyway, I don't think this is the end of our hopes of second place but if we are going to do it there needs to be a big improvement on tonight’s performance in the remaining six games.


UNIBOND PREMIER LEAGUE
Blyth Spartans 0 Stalybridge Celtic 1 (343), Frickley Athletic 0 Hucknall Town 1 (299), Lancaster City 2 Worksop Town 0 (273), Marine 2 Whitby Town 2 (224), Runcorn FC Halton 0 Barrow 0 (259), Vauxhall Motors 4 Spennymoor United 2 (169).

1 Hucknall Town 38 27 5 6 74 31 86
2 Droylsden 38 23 5 10 83 57 74
3 Barrow 38 19 12 7 70 45 69
4 Alfreton Town 36 20 5 11 64 37 65
5 Southport 38 18 8 12 61 44 62
6 Harrogate Town 37 19 5 13 58 49 62
7 Lancaster City 38 18 6 14 58 47 60
8 Worksop Town 35 16 11 8 54 37 59
9 Stalybridge Celtic 36 16 7 13 56 48 55
10 Ashton United 36 16 6 14 49 63 54
11 Altrincham 36 13 14 9 55 38 53
12 Vauxhall Motors 38 14 9 15 67 69 51
13 Gainsborough Trinity 37 13 11 13 60 46 50
14 Runcorn FC Halton 36 12 11 13 52 55 47
15 Whitby Town 38 12 10 16 49 62 46
16 Marine 36 13 6 17 58 67 45
17 Radcliffe Borough 38 12 5 21 70 86 41
18 Bradford Park Ave. 35 9 10 16 42 56 37
19 Burscough 40 8 13 19 42 65 37
20 Frickley Athletic 39 10 7 22 46 74 37
21 Spennymoor United 38 11 4 23 45 86 37
22 Blyth Spartans 36 9 8 19 46 57 35
23 Wakefield & Emley 37 7 6 24 39 79 27


BARROW’S RESULTS IN MARCH

2 Marine 1 Barrow 2 251
6 Marine 0 Barrow 2 281 (President’s Cup Semi-Final)
9 Barrow 0 Vauxhall Motors 1 1027
13 Harrogate Town 2 Barrow 1 247
16 Barrow 2 Droylsden 1 1235
22 Whitby Town 3 Barrow 2 210
27 Barrow 1 Hucknall Town 0 1416
30 Runcorn & Halton 0 Barrow 0 259


UNIBOND FIRST DIVISION
Bridlington Town 2 Chorley 0 (164), Guiseley 1 Leek Town 1 (241), Matlock Town 2 Prescot Cables 1 (310), Workington 1 Hyde United 1 (402).

P W D L F A Pts
1 Hyde United 37 20 8 9 67 45 68
2 Matlock Town 37 20 5 12 68 48 65
3 Lincoln United 36 18 8 10 59 44 62
4 Farsley Celtic 35 16 13 6 64 45 61
5 Leek Town 36 15 12 9 49 38 57
6 Prescot Cables 37 16 8 13 58 57 56
7 Bamber Bridge 36 15 10 11 56 46 55
8 Witton Albion 36 14 10 12 52 49 52
9 Workington 34 14 9 11 61 46 51
10 Bridlington Town 34 15 6 13 59 53 51
11 Gateshead *(4) 36 17 3 16 51 59 50
12 Guiseley 35 12 10 13 55 47 46
13 Bishop Auckland 34 12 10 12 50 49 46
14 Colwyn Bay 36 13 7 16 50 72 46
15 North Ferriby United 36 11 10 15 53 58 43
16 Belper Town 36 9 13 14 42 47 40
17 Stocksbridge PS 33 10 10 13 48 54 40
18 Ossett Town *(3) 36 11 9 16 50 66 39
19 Chorley 35 10 8 17 47 62 38
20 Rossendale United 33 9 10 14 38 48 37
21 Kidsgrove Athletic 36 10 7 19 41 56 37
22 Kendal Town 36 8 4 24 45 74 28
* points deducted for breach of League rules

Liverpool Senior Cup Semi-Final: Southport 0 Everton 1 (574)


BLUEBIRD DEVELOPMENT FUND RACE NIGHT AND GRAND NATIONAL DRAW
From www.barrowafc.com

The first event organised by the new fundraising arm of the club takes place in The Crossbar on Friday Evening April 2 at 8pm. The club's Grand National Raffle winners will be drawn during the evening which also features a race night. It is hoped that supporters will get behind this venture and help make the first venture a successful one.


MARK HUME
From Peter Burnett, this was written before the Hucknall Town game and refers to Barrow’s poor form going into this game, sorry for not including it until now.

There seems to be a common denominator with the run of form at Alfreton and the lack of form at Barrow in recent matches, ie Mark Hume. I know he was not exactly Little Lord Fauntleroy but an on form and disciplined Mark Hume, together with Salmon must have been the best defensive partnership in the League? I hope that I am proved wrong and we reach second place but it would be rather ironic if we were pipped by Alfreton Town. Not many clubs would sell arguably their best player to one of their closest rivals for a short term financial gain?


IS THIS THE END OF THE PROMOTION BID FOR BARROW?
From Mike Croasdell and the Barrow website fans’ forum

My passion for BAFC and my presentation of my views remains the same as always. There are posters like myself (Jim, Memories of 67, Header, and apologies to many others of my ilk) who see the chance of promotion slipping away as yet another gut wrenching disappointment. The raw hurt of losing our League status has been replaced by an ever present dull ache. That ache has been salved over the years by the highs of limited success (i.e promotion, Cambrian Cup wins, President’s Cup wins and the Trophy dream etc) but the passion to be part of the Football League set up remains to this day. So many false dawns in many guises, so much heartache, and so near disasters have come our way. In this age of easy access to Premiership grounds through the Motorway network it would make sense to travel down to the cities of Manchester, Liverpool or lessen one's horizons and watch Division One, Two or even Three football teams and claim to be a supporter. We don't want that! We want to go and watch a League team play at Barrow, our local team! The reasons why we were displaced all those years ago are well documented and confined to history. I remain optimistic like Ulverston Blue, I have to be as otherwise I may as well give up the cause. That’s something I will never do! Thanks UB, The Inghams, Moogster, The Chief (and again apologies to those new fans too numerous to mention) who share the same emotions as those long time supporters as myself. One day soon, it’s going to happen


HUCKNALL HAVE A KNIGHT-MARE
By Andy Donaldson, from www.pyramidfootball.co.uk

UniBond Premier League leaders Hucknall Town tasted defeat for the first time in 2004, but they performed well throughout, and will be disappointed not to have come away with at least a share of the spoils, after dominating for most of the game.

Jon McCarthy and Craig Gaunt failed fitness tests, as Hucknall played their fourth game in seven days, Barrow were missing the suspended Campbell. Hucknall started brightly, an Andy Todd cross being headed wide by Nathan Winder. At the other end, a Barrow free-kick was well held, under pressure, by Paul Pettinger.

The visitors continued to press, and when a ball into the area was only partially cleared, Andy Todd squared to Leon McSweeny, who crashed a 20 yard effort on to the crossbar. The home side took the lead in the 13th minute, A long ball over the Hucknall back line was chased by Gavin Knight, who got to the ball before Pettinger, lifted it over him, and calmly walked the ball into the net.

Hucknall continued to press forward, two shots being cleared in the 20th minute, one by Bishop in the Barrow goal, the other blocked by a defender, but just before the half hour mark, the home side almost increased their lead. Ian Arnold making space for himself down the right, then seeing his 20 yard volley, dip just over the bar.

Andy Todd became the second Town player to hit the woodwork. He broke strongly down the left wing, but saw his cross shot from 16 yards hit the angle of bar and post. On 36 minutes a cross from Mayman was headed straight at the home keeper by Gary Ricketts.

Just before the half time whistle, Hucknall almost grabbed an equaliser, Gary Ricketts crossed to the back post, but Roy Hunter sent a stooping header inches wide of the upright. The second half saw the action continue to swing from end to end as both sides went in search of a goal, with Hucknall once again having the bulk of possession, but finding Hill and Salmon in the Barrow defence in excellent form. Danny Mayman saw his cross headed wide by Dean Barrick, and at the other end a right wing cross was well held by Paul Pettinger.

Just after the hour mark Barrow worked the ball well down the right hand side, the cross to the back post being headed fractionally wide by Kenny Mayers. As Hucknall pushed forward they were being caught by a quick breaking Barrow side, but neither forward line could force a save from the keepers. With nine minutes left Gary Ricketts spurned the best chance for Hucknall, when he headed over a Danny Mayman cross from only six yards out.

That was the last piece of action, as Barrow ran the clock down, and the final whistle saw the home side take three much needed points in their quest for second place, and possible promotion to the Conference. Hucknall boss Steve Burr was impressed with his sides drive and commitment, and pleased with the performance, but not the finishing. He will be hoping his side can recover and overcome their disappointment with a win at Frickley on Tuesday night

Full Time 1-0
Half Time 1-0
Attendance 1416
Goals: Knight


RUNNING FOR A GOOD CAUSE

It’s a while since we have brought you an update on how Barrow supporter and sometime reserve team player, Mark Ingham has been getting on with his efforts to run in this year’s London marathon, so this is the latest from mark.

Just to let you all know how things are going with the fundraising for the Cleft Lip and Palate Service at Booth Hall Children’s Hospital, Manchester. Over the last few days I’ve just hit the UKP1000 mark so a big thank you to all you sponsors out there!

Raffle: The raffle that was held at the Uni’s stage society’s production of “Bouncers and Shakers” this week went down a storm with prizes such as free pints from the Paget Arms and various bottles of wine and Malibu etc, UKP50 was raised. Thanks to the stage society for allowing me to run the raffle at the performance and everyone who bought tickets!

Hey Ewe: Last night, Laura, Annabell, Anne-Marie and I all spent a few hours in very fetching doctors and nursing attire collecting at “Hey Ewe”. How generous are Loughborough students? Superb! I don’t know how much was raised exactly but a lot of money certainly hit those buckets! Thanks very much you three!

Good Morning Leicestershire: BBC Radio Leicester, 104.9fm kindly invited me into their studio to have a chat live on air with their “Talkback” host, John Florence, about CLP and my own personal experiences. I was on air for just short of 10 minutes and was given the chance to invite listeners to sponsor me via my website. A thoroughly enjoying experience.

Fame At Last: Local newspapers, Leicester Mercury and North-West Evening Mail as well as LABEL, Loughborough Students’ Magazine, carried stories about my marathon run with a plea for sponsors. Many thanks!

Sponsors: Premier Tiles - Barrow-in-Furness, Paget Arms - Loughborough, Annie, Burns, Lou, James, Richard, David, Simon, Dave C, D Bradley, Ianwortho, Mum & Dad, Weave, Anita, Philippa, Dave & Carole, Gran & Gramps, Hugh and Peg, Chelle, Ashley and Trudi, Jamie, Grandma & Grandad, Laura K, Ray K, Sheila, Emma, Jean & Barry, Andy C, Fans of Barrow AFC, Jai, Col, Laura, Ryan, Sarah, Brian + family, Class 7d - St Bernard’s School, Chetwynde School, “Bouncers and Shakers” audience and Loughborough Students!

Publicity: Thanks must go to BBC Radio Leicester, Leicester Mercury, Loughborough Students RAG, North-West Evening Mail, Loughborough University Stage Society and LABEL Magazine

If you haven’t yet sponsored me, then you can do so online at www.justgiving.com/markingham or if you prefer you can email me back with a donation amount and your address (so I can record it on a sponsor form) and your name just might make it onto my official running shirt at the marathon next month! Please, please, please spare a few pence if you can (OK, now I sound like a homeless person). My email address is . Thanks for your all your support.


BACK TO WEMBLEY
From the Conference Guide, www.confguide.com/cgi-bin/news.mpl/2004/03/29/b

The final of both the FA Trophy and FA Vase tournaments will return to Wembley once the new stadium opens in 2006. An FA spokesman confirmed to the Conference Guide: “ [The FA] have confirmed that the Trophy and Vase will be returning to Wembley from 2006. Clearly we're delighted that fans at all levels of the game will have the opportunity to see their team play at what will become the world's greatest stadium, and although grounds such as Villa Park and Upton Park have provided top-class facilities for both Finals over the past three or four seasons, Wembley will once again play host to the two biggest Cup Finals in the Non-League calendar.


FROM THE BARROW v HUCKNALL TOWN PROGRAMME (PART 2)

UniBond Review by Phil Yelland.
Then There Were Two: With the restructuring of the 'Pyramid' drawing ever closer, it seems unlikely that there will be a significant increase in the number of clubs from the north east participating in the UniBond League next season. For several seasons now, the Northern League have not promoted anyone to the UniBond set up and it seemed that the reorganisation would give ambitious Northern League clubs the chance to move up a League. Last autumn, when applications to join the UniBond were invited, four Northern League clubs showed an interest. They were Billingham Town, Horden CW, Jarrow Roofing and Whitley Bay. Within weeks, Billingham had withdrawn their application and now former UniBond club Whitley Bay have followed in their footsteps. It may be that there decision to withdraw comes as a result of a turbulent season during which former Blyth Spartans boss John Charlton and a number of players he brought with him left the club after a series of disappointing results. That leaves Horden who seem very unlikely to finish in a League position that would allow them to move up. Jarrow Roofing might well gain the League position but their ground still needs a lot of work to make the necessary grading.

Bishops Move: First Division Bishop Auckland are moving grounds for next season. They sold their home ground at Kingsway a couple of years ago and their new ground, in the town is still not ready. They have spent the last couple of years sharing with Northern League neighbours Shildon at their Dean Street ground but issues about grading the ground and safety matters have arisen. In light of this Bishops have now agreed a deal with Premier Division neighbours Spennymoor United to share the Brewery Field ground next season. That will bring the 'Moors some welcome additional income as they struggle financially. Bishops had a chance to test out their new ground last Saturday as following structural damage caused by the gale force winds at dean Street, they played their First Division clash with table topping Hyde United at Brewery Field and just lost out in a five goal thriller.

Shutt Takes Charge: Premier Division Bradford Park Avenue have named former Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday striker Carl Shutt as their new manager. He replaces Trevor Storton who left the club with his assistant Ian Thompson after a run of poor results. The Yorkshire based side have slipped into the bottom three and have allowed several players to leave in recent weeks in a bid to cut costs. Mr Shutt was in charge of Kettering Town for much of last season as they battled against relegation from the Conference and he may have arrived too late to ensure that the Horsfall Stadium hosts Conference North soccer next term.

Bloods Raid City, Again: Premier Division Droylsden have raided Conference leaders Chester City again to boost their squad. First to arrive was former England semi-professional international Carl Ruffer who has initially joined the club on loan. He can play both in defence and in midfield. Returning to the Butcher's Arms from the Deva Stadium is former Scarborough striker Steve Brodie. He joined Chester last summer and spent over two months on loan to the Bloods earlier this term before being recalled and loaned out to Leigh RMI. It was reported that he had turned down a permanent deal with the Railwaymen to return to City but that return has proved to be short lived.

Byrne Returns: In recent weeks, Premier Division Burscough have put together some decent results after a very poor first half to the season. Now manager Derek Goulding has been able to welcome back to his squad one of last season's FA Trophy winning heroes. The player in question is striker Mark Byrne who left the club over the summer to join neighbours Southport. However, following the departure of the manager who signed him, Mike Walsh, Byrne has failed to claim a regular place in the side and following his release by the Sandgrounders, he has returned to Victoria Park.

Chorley Changes: First Division Chorley are struggling to reach the top half of the table and manager Mark Patterson has again moved into the transfer market to try to find success. In a surprise move, he has persuaded Lee Ashcroft who began the season as player/coach at Premier Division Southport and was scoring goals regularly to drop down a Division. Whilst Ashcroft did miss several weeks of the season due to injury, it may be that he does not fit into Southport's long term plans. As he arrives at Victory Park, another striker departs with Ian Barker making the short trip to join another First Division side in Rossendale United.

Carroll Returns: In a surprise move, Premier Division Radcliffe Borough have re-signed striker for a third time. The former Bamber Bridge and Northwich Victoria striker has been spearheading the Mossley attack this season as they look to clinch promotion back to the UniBond League. Their challenge has faltered a little in recent weeks and he has been persuaded to return to Stainton Park. He marked his return to the club last week by netting the penalty that earned 'Boro a draw at our visitors today, Hucknall Town.

Pell Goes back: Last summer striker Rob Pell signed for Worksop Town. This season, he has played for no fewer than four clubs and has been on the move, again last week. He failed to claim a place in the Tigers line up and had spells on loan at both Lancaster City and Wakefield & Emley before moving to Harrogate Town. That move hasn't worked out and so Wakefield & Emley have taken him back to Belle Vue to see if, together with Steve Kenworthy he can spark a decent run for the Yorkshire side before the end of a disappointing season.

On This Day: 27 March by Phil Yelland.
1982, APL Barrow 2 Dagenham 2

Just six days after losing to Dagenham by a single goal at Victoria Road, the teams met again on League business at Holker Street. Barrow boss Mickey Taylor was looking to end a run of three games without a win. He shuffled his formation but made just one change to the starting line up with local midfielder Colin Moore given his chance in place of Phil Jackson. It was his first team debut. The visitors played Howell and Stewart in place of Wade and Stein.

Barrow began well and put pressure on the visiting defence. Their best chance in the opening ten minutes came when Colin Cowperthwaite got clear on the right and crossed. The ball fell to Royston Taylor whose shot crashed against his own player, Nigel Keen before the ball was cleared. However, the visitors almost took the lead on 15 minutes. A swift exchange of passes between Maycock and Dunwell saw Maycock's flick beat Kevin Thomas but Steve Brooks got back to clear off the line. Stewart get in a snap shot that Thomas held easily before Barrow took the lead on the half hour. Cowperthwaite and keen combined to set Dave Large clear down the right. When his cross came in Colin Cowperthwaite rose high to head past Danson. Dagenham fought back and had two good chances to level matters before the interval. Kevin Thomas made a brave save to deny Burton before Dunwell drove over when left free in the box. On 51 minutes Barrow seemed to have eased the pressure with a second goal. From a Nigel Keen corner, Colin Cowperthwaite headed the ball down and Andy Cale lashed the ball home from close range. Barrow then enjoyed their best spell of the game. Colin Moore went close to a goal on his debut as his 35 yard shot dropped just over the bar with Danson beaten. Then Moore released Andy Cale. He fired in a shot that Danson fumbled but he recovered before either Cale or Cowperthwaite could take advantage. However, on 67 minutes the visitors pulled a goal back. Dave Large failed to get in a strong challenge on Horan. Horan played the ball forward and Peter Burton collected the ball in space and moved forward to slip the ball under the advancing Thomas. It appeared that Barrow had won a penalty on 72 minutes as visiting keeper Dunwell seemed to pull down Colin Cowperthwaite after the keeper had fumbled a shot form Mickey Moore. The referee waved the penalty claims away. Two minutes later Barrow should have made the game safe. A long run from Nigel keen saw him feed Andy Cale. He got in a good shot that Dunwell sliced over his own bar with Danson beaten. The visitors had always looked dangerous on the break and with six minutes left they netted an equaliser. There seemed to be little danger when they were awarded a free kick just inside the Barrow half. However, Elley's long free kick found Steve Brown unmarked in the box and he turned and shot home form close range. There was no further scoring.

Barrow: Thomas; Large, Gordon, Brooks, Graham; Taylor, C. Moore. M. Moore, Keen; Cowperthwaite, Cale. Sub: Smith for Cale - 80 mins
Dagenham: Danson; Dunwell, Horan, Howell, Brown; Deadman, Elley, Stewart, Roast; Maycock, Burton. Sub: Dennis - unused.
Referee: Mr J. Worrall (Warrington).
Gate: 668


LOOK BACK AT SEASON 1980-81
From Terry Kendall

March 14 1981, Barrow 3 Horwich RMI 1, Lancashire Cup Semi-Final Replay.
Extra time goal rush puts Barrow in Cup Final.
Barrow: Thomas, Richmond, Whittle, Gordon, McDonald, Taylor, Eatough, Jackson (Moore), Pearson, Cowperthwaite, Worswick.
Horwich: Cavanagh, Parry, Green, Greenan, Silous, Kershaw, O’Neill, Haslam, Froggatt, Lang, McLachlan. Sub: Pearson.
Goals: Alan Froggatt 51, Micky Moore 75, Jimmy Pearson 108, Micky Worswick 120.
Ref: E. Hart (Leyland). H/t: 0-0. Att: 560 (after extra time).

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY - 31 March
1923 D3N Bradford Park Avenue H L 1-2
1928 D3N Crewe Alexandra A L 1-4
1934 D3N Barnsley A L 1-3
1951 D3N Gateshead A L 0-1
1956 D3N Workington H W 2-0
1961 D4 Darlington A W 3-2
1962 D4 Colchester United H W 4-0
1970 D3 Plymouth Argyle A L 0-1
1990 CONF Boston United A L 1-2
1997 NPL Hyde United H D 1-1
2001 NPL Frickley Athletic H W 2-0 (1048)