Holker Street Newsletter 13 - 12th November 1997

More bits and bobs as usual: reports on the Boston game, Vaughan falling out with the Evening Mail, the result from Runcorn, FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round draw, more from the Evening Mail and requests for information.


CATCH US IF YOU CAN! TITLE'S YOURS, SAYS RIVAL BOSS
Evening Mail, 10 November 1997

Boston United player manager Greg Fee has predicted Barrow will win the UniBond Premier title this season following the Bluebird's 2-0 win at York Street on Saturday. The defeat for Fee's side, who are second in the table, means they trail Barrow by a massive eleven points, a gap he fells his side cannot make up this season.

Speaking yesterday Fee said "I think Barrow will win it. Realistically, with the personnel we have got at the moment I don't think we can catch them. They are a good side and they have very good players in important positions. Their keeper is very strong and Neil Morton is a quality player. I said after the last game in February, that if he had been playing for us we would have won and I think the same applies for the game yesterday. He only had one chance and he stuck it away perfectly. We are all disappointed to lose, but Barrow are a good side and I think they will go on now and win the title."

Goals from Neil Morton and Mark Coates gave Barrow the win at York Street in front of hundreds of travelling Barrow fans who made the long trip to Lincolnshire. Barrow are still unbeaten away from home and this latest win puts them in a fantastic position with the season approaching the half way stage. They are next in action on Tuesday night when they are away to Runcorn.

Teenage Barrow AFC striker Anthony 'Bagger' Wright has gone on loan to Droylsden of the UniBond First Division. Wright played for the Bloods on Saturday at Eastwood Town and was on the scoresheet in the 2-2 draw.


ELEVEN PLUS FOR BARROW RAMPANT AFC STRETCH THEIR LEAD AT THE TOP

"Two nil to the champions" sang the Barrow fans as they poured out of York Street at 4.50 pm on Saturday. And who can blame them?” It might still only be November and there's a long way to go, but rampant Barrow are threatening to turn the League into a one horse race.

On Saturday they had, and took, the chance to go a massive eleven points clear by defeating Boston on their own park. It was a game second place Boston had to win to keep in touch with Barrow, but they soon found out it was going to be a hard afternoon for them. From the minute they ran on to the pitch to a ticker tape reception from the vocal AFC fans, you could tell Barrow were up for this one.

In the first fifteen minutes all the pressure came from AFC with Carl McCauley creating openings down the right and shots flying in from Neil Morton and fit again Mark Coates. Boston keeper Paul Bastock, who played under a constant barrage of abuse from some of the Barrow fans, had plenty to do and denied Morton in the 26th minute when a goal looked on. Boston were penned back and they didn't get their first shot until the 30th minute — and that was from 25 yards out.

Barrow deserved the goal and it finally came in the 25th minute. Midfielder Lee Prior a great ball forward which put Neil Morton in the clear, one to one with Bastock. Morton raced into the area and then dummied Bastock three times before cooly side footing the ball into the bottom left hand corner. The Pilgrims came out after that and AFC Keeper Steve Farrelly had to pull of a great save from a Steve Charles drive two later. However, the half end with Barrow a goal in front. In the second half Boston had the majority of possession and it was Barrow's turn to defend.

Apart from a good run by Paul Robertson which created a great opening for Lee Prior in the 56th minute, AFC spent most of their time in their own half. However, the AFC defence stood up well despite Boston's possession they limited the chances the Pilgrims had and really frustrated them. When they did get in on goal Steve Farrelly was in magnificent form. He made a great save from Leroy Chambers in the 73rd minute when he tipped a fierce close range shot round the post. There were one or two frantic scares in the Barrow box and McCauley cleared one off the line, but as the half wore on Barrow started creeping forward again.

The chances started to come and Lee O'Keeffe had a goal disallowed before Coates finally settled Barrow's nerve and made sure of all three points. Coates nearly jumped in to the crowd after he scored and stood on the perimeter wall with his hands in the air. It was a fitting end to another good away win for the Bluebirds and their fans.

MATCH RATING: OUTSTANDING ENTERTAINMENT
Player rating:
Steve Farrelly 9 - A couple of great saves especially one in the second half from Leroy Chambers who looked certain to score. Cut out nearly ever corner.
Carl McCauley 9 - Excellent game from McCauley. Going forward he created a lot and also defended well, cleared one off the line.
Paul Robertson 8 - In and out of the game, but made a couple of good runs.
Dave Higgins 9 - Great game from Higgins. Never put a foot wrong and battled hard in the second half when Boston pushed forward.
Paul Jones 9 - Great determined performance, got some crucial tackles in.
Eddie Johnson 9 - Possibly his best game for Barrow. Won everything in the air and worked hard.
Gary Baurees 8 - Defended well and held things together in midfield.
Lee Prior 8 - Played a great ball through to put Neil Morton in the clear for Barrow's first goal.
Mark Coates 8 - Covered a lot of ground and scored Barrow's second goal in injury time.
Neil Morton 8 - Great finish to put Barrow ahead, had to go off early in the second half.
Lee O'Keeffe 8 - Worked hard for Barrow and got stuck in.
Subs Humphreys for Morton 51, Henningan for McCauley 90, Grugel for O'Keeffe 90

Goals - Morton 35, Coates 90.
Yellow cards - Mcauley 18, Johnson 54, Mason 18
Offsides - Boston 1, Barrow 10
Free kicks - Boston 16, Barrow 7
Corners - Boston 7, Barrow 5
Shots on target - Boston 5, Barrow 8
Off target - Boston 10, Barrow 5
Attendance - 1238

Referee: Martyn Short (Grantham)


ON THE WEMBLEY TRAIL
Can AFC's Trophy glory days return?, vening Mail, 11 November 1997

Barrow AFC's bid to reach Wembley for their second time in their history begins on November 29 when they will face Hinckley United at Holker Street.

The draw for the Third Qualifying Round was made at Football Association's HQ yesterday and it paired the Bluebirds with Hinckley who are thirteenth in the Dr Martens Midland Division. Barrow have played Hinckley, who were known then as Town, in the Trophy before in October 1995 and on that occasion the Leicestershire men were beaten 4-0 at Holker Street. A win for Owen Brown's side will put the Bluebirds in the First Round Proper, but Hinckley are not expected to be a push-over as they have already shown they are capable of a Cup upset or two.

In the Trophy they have already knocked out Stafford Rangers and Whitby Town and in the FA Cup this season Hinckley had a run of three games and dumped Conference side Kettering out of the competition. They eventually went out to UniBond side Colwyn Bay in the Fourth Qualifying Round, but according to joint manager John Hannnah they were desperately unlucky. He said "We've had a good season. We had a good run in the FA Cup and we were unlucky to go out. We were the better side and Colwyn scored with eight minutes to go. We've only played ten games in the League, but we are doing well, won five, lost three and drawn two".

Hinckley average around 400 supporters watching their home games, but Hannah is expecting a large proportion of then to make the long trip to Cumbria. He added "We don't fancy the trip up to Cumbria, it's a long way, but we have got good support and I think we'll take 200 to 300 up there. It will be a hard game, but we'll be looking for a reply to bring them back to our place at the very least"


SOCCER CHIEF STOPS BLUEBIRDS' STAFF FROM SPEAKING TO THE MAIL
The Evening Mail's Mailsport has been prevented from giving you, the supporters, any team news for tonight's important League match with Runcorn. This is because AFC Chairman Stephen Vaughan has decided to impose a ban on team manager Owen Brown and the players from speaking to the Evening Mail.

Vaughan was unhappy with a story last week where we reported that Barrow AFC's loyal supporters had given the club some financial assistance. We have made several attempts to speak to Vaughan, but he has failed to return our phone calls. However, team manager Brown issued the following statement, "The Chairman told me to make no comment to the Evening Mail, they are getting no help in that direction. The players and the club fell that they are doing it on the field. We want to continue doing to do it in that manner and there'll be no comment from the management or staff until Stephen sees fit or decides other wise.

Unfortunately these measure have prevented us from bring you a full preview for tonight's game as we normally do for every Barrow game. However AFC have a chance to go an incredible fourteen points clear at the top of the UniBond Premier Division if they can come away from Runcorn with a victory. The Canal Street men are currently fifth in the table and like Barrow have applied for promotion to the Conference this season. However, they meet a Barrow side who have had a great run recently winning their last six League games which has catapulted them eleven points clear of their nearest rivals. AFC boss Brown is likely to have a full squad to choose from and midfielder Jimmy Brown has now completed his three match ban.


RUNCORN 0 BARROW 1
More good news from Canal Street, Barrow winning 1-0 with a goal from O'Keeffe after 25 minutes. Runcorn had a few good chances and we were perhaps a bit lucky not to concede a goal but the Soccerline described it as a battling performance on a very poor pitch. Barrow were without Morton, so O'Keeffe pushed up into attack with Humphreys coming into midfield. Morton wasn't playing (injured) and the referee played five mins of injury time when there wasn't any injuries and they almost scored!

Thanks to Jim Whitton, and Richard Postlethwaite for this. We are now fourteen points clear of the pack!

Other results: Altrincham 1 Lancaster City 0, Chorley 1 Hyde United 5, Frickley Athletic 0 Bishop Auckland 3, Runcorn 0 Barrow 1

Monday night: Emley 1 Gainsborough 0

P W D L F:A Pts
BARROW......................19 13 4 2 33:11 43
Boston United...............18 7 8 3 23:17 29
Altrincham..................18 8 3 7 31:19 27
Bishop Auckland.............17 7 6 4 30:25 27
Winsford United.............11 8 2 1 18:6 26
Runcorn.....................17 7 3 7 30:26 24
Spennymoor United...........14 7 3 4 19:18 24
Colwyn Bay..................17 7 3 7 24:28 24
Gainsborough Trinity........14 7 2 5 21:15 23
Guiseley....................17 5 8 4 26:24 23
Lancaster City..............19 6 4 9 29:35 22
Hyde United.................14 6 4 4 24:17 22
Emley.......................16 6 4 6 28:26 22
Frickley Athletic...........16 5 5 6 18:22 20
Accrington Stanley..........18 4 6 8 21:28 18
Marine......................13 4 5 4 17:17 17
Leigh RMI...................11 4 4 3 12:9 16
Bamber Bridge...............16 4 4 8 23:30 16
Radcliffe Borough...........16 4 4 8 21:31 16
Blyth Spartans..............16 3 6 7 17:23 15
Chorley.....................17 4 3 10 18:36 15
Alfreton Town...............14 2 1 11 9:29 7

Next game Barrow v Guiseley, 16/11/97.


SKIVINGTON JOINS NETHERFIELD
Former BAFC captain and England semi-pro international Glenn Skivington has signed for Netherfield. After leaving Barrow he has been involved at Holker OB but he has now accepted Netherfield's new manager Alan Cook's invitation to join the Kendal club who are in the UniBond First Division. Another player making the move from Barrow to Netherfield is David Moore.

Skivington began his career as a teenager with Barrow but was signed by Derby County in 1980 when 18 years of age for UKP25,000 and went on to make about 50 appearances for the Rams. He then had a short spell at Southend United and Halifax Town, after which he returned to Barrow for whom he played around 400 games captaining them to FA Trophy success at Wembley in 1990 playing along side Tony Chilton now manager at Workington. Skivington was also part of the Bluebird side that captured the NPL Premier Division title the previous season and won five caps for his country (at semi-pro level).


MORTON'S INJURY
Derek Wilson has written to say Neil Morton's injury looked like a hamstring when he limped off on Saturday, which was a bit worrying as it could have meant a long-term lay-off. However, Derek has since found out that his injury is a trapped nerve in his lower back. Whilst he will be receiving treatment, he is expected to play at Runcorn on Tuesday.


GIVE EM BEANS

The latest edition of "Give 'Em Beans!" the Barrow AFC fanzine, yes we have one, it's been going for at least eight years, is now available, and for UK based list members it will be on sale at next Saturday's home game against Guiseley. In a fetching pink cover which anticipates a feast of football now that we're top of the League and heading towards the Vauxhall Conference, its 40 pages are packed with quality items. And it's still only 80p! Included are what happened when Dr Debbie got hold of Glen Hoddle, metaphorically speaking of course; the second part of our exclusive serialisation of Eric Cantona's autobiography; and Michael Gibson's horrific experiences in the black hole of Spennymoor.

If there are any listers wanting a copy, either from the UK or further afield, email Graham Murphy on: Graham.Murphy@sukm.sharp-eu.com and he'll tell you how much it will cost including postage.


FA TROPHY THIRD ROUND QUALIFYING DRAW
Games to be played on 29 November.

Marine v Grantham Town; Bradford Park Avenue v Radcliffe Borough or Leigh RMI; Tamworth v Lancaster City; Belper Town v Boston United; Bromsgrove Rovers v Worksop Town; Accrington Stanley v Runcorn; Solihull Borough v Emley; BARROW v HINCKLEY UNITED; Stourbridge or Great Harwood Town v Witton Albion or Bilston Town; Matlock Town v Winsford United; Gainsborough Trinity v Bamber Bridge; Halesowen Town v Burton Albion; Workington or Harrogate Town v Blyth Spartans; Nuneaton Borough v Altrincham; Bromley v Purfleet; St Albans City v Bishop's Stortford; Harrow Borough v Bath City; Hitchin Town v Boreham Wood; Berkhamsted Town v Salisbury City; Wisbech Town v Raunds Town; Dorchester Town v Worthing; Aylesbury United v Dulwich Hamlet; Walton and Hersham or Bashley v Cirencester Town; Corby Town v Margate; Kings Lynn v Chelmsford City; Basingstoke Town v Romford; Merthyr Tydfil v Cambridge City or Dartford; Hastings Town v Heybridge Swifts; Chesham United v Sutton United; Yeading v St Leonards Stamcroft; Billericay Town v Carshalton Athletic or Aldershot Town; Sittingbourne v Abingdon Town.


OUTSTANDING RECORD INFORMATION REQUIRED
A while ago I sought clarification about which records that Barrow AFC hold, we've cleared up that Bobby Knox was the not only first substitute to score in a Football League match but also holds the record for the first substitute to save a penalty.

I've only had limited success with sorting this one next out, I believe Barrow hold a record for a player starting a game for Barrow, and at half time being transferred to the opposition. I was told this happened when we were in the Lancashire Combination in 1920 (?), and the opposition was either Burnley or Nelson. A member of another list has told me that if this happened, it would have to have been against Nelson, as Burnley weren't in the Lancashire Combination at this time. Perhaps this is just an urban legend after all?

I also wrote that Barrow hold the record for players who had trials and or played for the club, were released and when on to play for England: Emlyn Hughes, Keith Eddy, Tony Field, Peter Withe and I was once told Steve Heighway had a trial for Barrow only to suffer the same fate. Anyone help? With reference to Hughes, did he play for Barrow before he signed for Blackpool? And what about Eddy, Field and Withe. Were they released by Barrow? Or were they transferred?


VIDEO TAPE
I've had absolutely no success with sorting this one out, so here's one more go. When Barrow joined the Alliance Premier League in 1979, I remember a chap who used to stand on the Sports and Leisure roof with a video camera filming the games. Does anyone else remember this chap? Do we know if the tape still exists? All I remember is being told it was shot on to black and white betamax tapes.


QUIRKY FACTS ABOUT BARROW AFC
Reading one of the pieces on the Barrow web page, address at the end of the Newsletter, it mentioned about the referee scoring for Barrow whilst we were in the League, Richard Postlethwaite believes it was against Plymouth. Was it? How say you?


ADMISSION PRICES FOR HOLKER STREET
How much is it to get into Holker Street this season?

Season Ticket
£121 for the stand (£66 for concessions)
£88 for the ground (£55 for concessions)

Prices through the turnstiles

£5.50 for the stand (£3 for concessions)
£4 for the ground (£2.50 for concessions)

If you go to an away match this season, and send me a match report, can you give me an idea of what the Barrow support was? Also, how much is it to get into these grounds.


REPRESENTATIVE MATCH
In a previous Newsletter, I mentioned how a couple of Barrow players had been selected to play for the UniBond League Representative Well, the result didn't go to plan: UniBond League 0 FA XI 5


ANORAK SECTION

Tuesday 21 October
ACCRINGTON 0 BARROW 1
Hennigan 87
Att 588