Holker Street Newsletter 16 - 19th November 1997

This is a mid-week Newsletter with a difference, the news of Stephen Vaughan's resignation as Barrow Chairman was a surprise to say the least, and rather than wait until Wednesday or Thursday, I thought you'd like the news about Vaughan ASAP.

If you've sent me some bits and bobs in the last couple of days and they aren't in this Newsletter, bear with me, and I'll include them in the next one.

This one goes out to 61 people.


BARROW SOCCER CHIEF QUITS
Evening Mail, 17 November

BAFC Chairman Stephen Vaughan has resigned. The Liverpool based boxing promoter announced his decision yesterday, citing the pressures of being investigated by Custom and Excise officers as his reason to quit. Vaughan was arrested on September 18 as part of an on-going investigation to trace the UKP1 million assets of convicted drug baron Curtis Warren. He was not charged and released on bail until January. In his statement Vaughan also confirmed he has resigned as a director of the club, but his is still the major share holder and owner of the stadium. He said "Although I am confident I will be completely exonerated at the conclusion of this affair, it is possible that this ongoing investigation could continue for some time. This is a cloud which I believe our club should not have to live under and one which requires my full and complete attention, it's been an agonising couple of months for me.


VAUGHAN QUITS AFC JOB EX-CHIEF 'STILL TO PLAY PART IN AFC FUTURE'

Stephen Vaughan has resigned as Chairman of BAFC. However, team manager Owen Brown said he expected him to 'play a part' in AFC's future and would not be looking to sell his interests in the club. In a statement issued yesterday Vaughan cited the pressure of being investigated by Customs and Excise officers for his decision to quit. Vaughan was arrested on September 18 as part of an on going investigation to trace the UKP1 million assets of convicted drugs baron Curtis Warren. Vaughan was not charged and was released on bail until January. However, because of this investigation Vaughan said his position with BAFC was 'untenable' and had no option but to quit as Chairman and also as a Director at Holker Street. However, he is still the major shareholder and owner of the stadium.

In his statement Vaughan, who has been Chairman since March 9th, 1995, says: "although I am confident that I will be completely exonerated at the conclusion of this affair, it is possible that this on going investigation could continue for sometime. This is a cloud which I believe our club should not have to live under and one which requires my full and complete attention. It has been an agonising couple of months for me since this affair began, I have reached the conclusion that my position at the club has become untenable." Speaking this morning Brown who is also a Director at AFC, said he was going to discuss the situation with Vaughan in Liverpool today. Brown said "I am having a meeting with him later. I am shocked and disappointed, but he's going to continue to play a part and he, still behind the club. He's not looking to sell out, he's under pressure and he needs to concentrate on other things." Liverpool boxing promoter Vaughan first arrived at Holker Street in December 1994 when he was brought to the club as a sponsor by the then Chairman Bill McCullough.


VAUGHAN'S FULL STATEMENT

As members of the press are aware, I have been the subject of an investigation by HM Customs and Excise, the detail of which have been conveyed to yourselves already. Although no charges have been brought against me, the adverse publicity that has been arisen from this investigation has put an unbearable amount of pressure on the club and my position as its Chairman. Although I am confident that I will be completely exonerated at the conclusion of this affair, it is possible that this investigation could continue for some time. It has been an agonising couple of months for me since this affair began, but, having taken into account all the factors I have mentioned, I have reached the decision that my position at the club is untenable. It is there for with a heavy heart I have announced to the Board of Directors my resignation as Chairman and Director at BAFC. I can sincerely say that it is one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make and the fact that I have made it makes this one of the saddest days of my life.

My initial input at Barrow was as main sponsor, but I quickly became very attached to the club and the people around it. A short while afterwards I became a Director and subsequently Chairman, a position that has give me a great sense of pride during my tenure. On a number of occasions I have rescued the club from financial ruin through substantial investment and I feel that the club has turned the corner in that respect and we are now in a forward looking position. That's what makes the decision all the more heart-breaking. We have come through the darkest hours and have prevailed, we now have a grade A stadium, ready for promotion, and we have a team that currently sit thirteen points clear at the top of the table with the healthiest crowds in the division.

Let there be no doubt that my decision is a financial one. It is not due to any pressing creditors or impending ground improvements as all these factor were successfully addressed during my tenure. No, my decision is based on entirely on what I believe to be the best interests of BAFC in the light of recent events. I leave the club in the capable hand of my former Associate Directors Brian Vause, Ged Rule, Phil Cowing, Owen Brown and their colleagues who I know from my own time working with them care as passionately about the club as I do and, I am sure, will guide AFC to greater successes. I would like to thank all the staff and players I have worked with from Tony Hesketh, Mick Walsh and Owen Brown right through to the match day volunteers and the other helpers and fundraisers who know who they are and without whom the club could not function. I would also like to thank the supporters of BAFC. I know it is a cliche but I have been truly grateful to every one of you and nothing gave me greater pride than to visit an away ground to discover that Barrow supporters outnumbered the home support. It is exactly for these reasons and for you the fans that I was desperate for success for the club. I will still be rooting as strongly for Barrow but would like to apologise to every Barrow supporter that I have had to make this decision and can no longer be an official part of the club's success. I wish you all the well and I know that our paths will cross again.

STEPHEN VAUGHAN


HOME HOODOO STRIKES AGAIN AFC FALL FLAT IN FRONT OF BIG HOME CROWD.
Evening Mail, 17 November

"Why can't they do it at home?" was the question plenty of Barrow fans were asking after another dose of Holker Street blues on Saturday. The third biggest crowd of the season anticipated rampant Barrow's return home after two great wins on the road at Boston and Runcorn, but all they got for their entrance fee was another disappointing defeat, their third at home this season.

However, as deflating as it was, it has to be put into perspective, this same side have just gone on a fantastic eight match unbeaten run putting themselves fourteen points clear at the top of the League. It has to end some time, it's just Barrow's style that they have to save the worst for at home, especially when there is a large crowd. On Saturday they never really got going against a Guiseley side who have already held Barrow to a 1-1 draw this season. AFC started sluggishly and fifteen minutes had passed before they amounted there first real attack. It started with a great cross-field ball on the right from Morton which put Robertson in the clear. The wing back cut inside two defenders in the box and then went round the keeper leaving him with what should of been an easy goal. However, it was on his 'wrong' foot and he chose instead to lay it off for Coates who wasn't expecting it and only managed to side foot it to a defender on the line.

Fifteen minutes later Morton nearly capitalised on an error from the Guiseley keeper who failed to deal with a ball in the area. The striker raced on to it, but went too wide and his shoot hit the side netting. Guiseley were also creating some chances and four minutes before half time Bobby Davison, who was in the clear, was only denied by a great save from Farrelly. It had been a flat half and unfortunately the second wasn't much better. After just three minutes Barrow were behind. It took a great strike from Des Hazel to beat Farrelly. the midfielder let one fly from 25 yards and it flew in to the bottom right hand corner. Even after the goal had gone in Barrow really failed to raise their game and they struggled against Guiseley who from scoring onwards defended in numbers. Barrow did however did create a couple of chances and Hennigan came close with a great drive and Brown squandered a close range chance. It was getting frustrating for Barrow and a temper tantrum from Robertson only made matters worse. He flung his shirt into the crowd and stormed off much to the annoyance of a lot of the supporters. It just summed up Barrow's afternoon.

MATCH RATING:- Wish I'd Stayed At Home

THE PLAYERS:-
FARRELLY 7 - Great save in the first half, plus a couple of other good stops. Couldn't do anything about the goal.
McCAULEY 6 - One of the few that stood out as having a go.
ROBERTSON 5 - Very quiet game. Disappointing reaction to being substituted when he threw his shirt into the stand on stormed off.
HIGGINS 6 - Subdued performance from Higgins, not his usual authoritative self.
JONES 6 - One of the best performers this season, but Saturday wasn't one of his best.
JOHNSTON 6 - Made a couple of crucial tackles in the box.
BAURESS 6 - Never really got on top in midfield and never created much for the front two.
ROBERTSON 5 - Disappointing game, was substituted early in the second half.
COATES 6 - Only had one real chance, substituted in the 71st minute
MORTON 6 - Below par performance from Morton
O'KEEFFE 6 - Covered a lot of ground and tried to get thing going.
SUBS :- Brown for 57 mins, Henningan for Coates 71 mins, Grugel for Robertson 87 mins.

GOALS:- Des Hazel 48 mins.
YELLOW CARDS:- Hennigan 79, Hazel 64, Allison 69, Davison 84.
OFFSIDES:- Barrow 1 Guiseley 6
FREE KICKS:- Barrow 9 Guiseley 16
CORNERS:- Barrow 4 Guiseley 4
SHOTS
ON TARGET:- Barrow 6 Guiseley 4
OFF TARGET:- Barrow 9 Guiseley 1
ATTENDANCE:- 1277
REFEREE:- J Waring (Bolton)


FA YOUTH CUP ENQUIRY
A Worcestershire man has written to memories page of the Barrow Evening Mail seeking the assistance of Barrow supporters in some research he is carrying out. Mr S Hobin, of Droitwich is involved in a project researching the history of the FA Youth Cup, basically the 'junior' version of the FA Cup since it came into existence in 1952.

Mr Hobin writes "The competition was dominated in the early years by a strong Manchester United side that contained such players as Duncan Edwards, Bobby Charlton and Eddie Colman. In December 1963 United met Barrow in the Youth Cup at Old Trafford, running out comfortable winners 14 to 1. George Best scored three goals for United.

The Barrow team was: McGuire, R Lapping, W Rusell, Emlyn Hughes, A Slowey, McKechnie, R Knox, Peter Marshall, A Lapping, W Pritchard and Mike Knox. I assume that most, if not all, of the players were local boys. Emlyn Hughes of course went on to great fame with Liverpool and England. I would like to know the missing Christian names of these players.

If you can help telephone 01905 797329 (any day except Saturday) or write to Steve Hobin, Sunnybrow, 5 Danube Close, Droitwich, Worcester, WR9 8DD.

I assume the R. Knox, was Robert (Bobby) Knox, but what about the rest?

Thanks to Paul Darragh for this. I never knew these Manchester United players had played against a Barrow side. Who else has turned out against us? This reminds me of a question, who is the ex-Barrow player who has played against Pele?


AN ILLUMINATING QUESTION FOR YOU!
Paul Darragh has asked about the origins of the Barrow floodlights. He believes the original floodlight pylons at Holker Street, those we still have (but now they have been fitted with replacement lights) were bought from Arsenal. Can anyone confirm this? I seem to remember that the replacement lights, at least came from a Scottish club.