Holker Street Newsletter 1675 - 6th March 2006

Barrow’s game away at Stalybridge, one of Phil Wilson’s former clubs, was postponed because of a heavy snowfall, and whilst the re-arranged date has yet to be announced, the Stalybridge Celtic email Newsletter offered the following: “Either the 28 March or 25 April will be taken up by the Barrow rescheduled match. The latter looks most likely, as it is a free date for both clubs.”

Weather permitting, Barrow will be in action on Tuesday night when we are off gallivanting off the coast to visit, our country cousins, Workington.

Barrow AFC assistant manager, Gary Bauress has been charged by the Football Association following a full and frank exchange of views with an assistant referee during last weekend’s League game at Holker Street against Droylsden.


MIKE BALLANTYNE – 1960 TO 2006 – THE MEMORIAL GAME
From www.nwcfl.co.uk

As a tribute to Mike Ballantyne, who sadly died earlier this year, his mates have arranged to play a Memorial game at Holker Old Boys, Rakesmoor Lane on Saturday 18 March, kicking off after the First Team game that day. The kick off will therefore be about 17.45pm. It is our intention to raise some funds to be placed in a trust for Mike’s daughter, Ruby, in Australia. The game will be between a side from Holker’s Shield winning squads of 1989 & 1991 and a team selected by Jimmy Capstick that will include as many as possible from the Barrow FA Trophy winning side. Don’t worry, there’ll be plenty of substitutes available, so both sides should get through with 11 players. There will then be a do in the club that no doubt will include a fair bit of singing Elvis. This date has been chosen so that the current Holker players can see how ‘real’ players play, the real reason being because Peter McKenna, Mike’s long term partner ‘on & off the field’ is home and the event would not be right without Pete. Anybody wanting to take part should contact the Holker Club, or Mark Hetherington, Paul Slater or Jimmy Capstick. The lads are looking for sponsorship and a special programme will be produced to commemorate the occasion. It is hoped that we can attract a good crowd and make the event a real old fashioned night out. More details will follow.


NATIONWIDE NORTH
Alfreton Town 1 Hinckley United 1 (344), Kettering Town 0 Harrogate Town 2 (1238), Nuneaton Borough 2 Hucknall Town 2.

P W D L F A Pts GD
1 Stafford Rangers 29 19 7 3 53 22 64 31
2 Nuneaton Borough 31 16 10 5 49 29 58 20
3 Northwich Victoria 29 17 5 7 65 38 56 27
4 Harrogate Town 30 15 5 10 49 42 50 7
5 Droylsden 30 13 10 7 57 43 49 14
6 Hyde United 32 13 7 12 54 44 46 10
7 Hinckley United 32 10 14 8 46 43 44 3
8 Kettering Town 31 11 10 10 44 40 43 4
9 Hucknall Town 32 11 10 11 43 40 43 3
10 Moor Green 31 10 13 8 50 53 43 -3
11 Stalybridge Celtic 28 11 9 8 50 38 42 12
12 Worcester City 30 10 11 9 34 31 41 3
13 Workington 29 10 10 9 46 43 40 3
14 Barrow 30 10 8 12 53 49 38 4
15 Lancaster City 28 9 10 9 38 38 37 0
16 Alfreton Town 31 7 12 12 35 44 33 -9
17 Gainsborough Trinity 31 8 9 14 33 49 33 -16
18 Redditch United 32 8 7 17 42 58 31 -16
19 Leigh RMI 31 7 9 15 30 54 30 -24
20 Worksop Town 30 7 8 15 33 51 29 -18
21 Vauxhall Motors 29 7 4 18 33 54 25 -21
22 Hednesford Town 30 5 10 15 32 66 25 -34


PACE PLOTTING SQUAD ROTATION
From the Tameside Advertiser

Droylsden chief Dave Pace has said squad rotation will be the order of the day away from home after the Bloods’ 2-0 defeat at Barrow. Pace was unhappy with the state of the pitch in Cumbria which, combined with blustery winds, meant his side found it difficult to play the type of football they wanted. Consequently, he has decided away games will be ‘horses for courses’ with players picked to suit the conditions. He said: "One thing I’ve learned is that in future, I’ll be picking the team accordingly when I see the pitch. It’s horses for courses now because we need results. It’s not the ideal thing to do and I don’t think I should be looking at pitches at this level but it’s another lesson learned and I’ll have to deal with it." Results did go Droylsden’s way to an extent at the weekend as they remained fourth in the Nationwide North table thanks to Harrogate Town dropping two points from their match. With the title still in his sights, Pace is targeting three points as Redditch United make the trip to the Butcher’s Arms on Saturday. The players were put through their paces in a friendly at Witton Albion on Wednesday night with Pace now looking to send one of his players out on loan after they returned from injury. He said: "There’s one or two in the side who haven’t been playing because I’ve tried to be consistent with the side, but I’ll be trying a couple of things. I’m trying to get Garry Burke out on loan as well. He needs to be match-fit by getting one or two games somewhere and then he’ll be back in contention."


BORO MISS OUT AS NATIONWIDE NORTH IS DECIMATED BY THE WEATHER
From www.nonleaguedaily.com, 4 March

On a day when fixtures in Nationwide North were decimated by the frozen weather, Nuneaton Borough missed out on the opportunity to pull closer to leaders Stafford Rangers when Hucknall Town robbed them of three points at the Manor Ground with a last-gasp equaliser. Stafford were one of the victims of a cancelled game, leaving only three games surviving. At Nuneaton Matty Collins gave the home side a 20th minute lead only for Lee Morris to level from the penalty spot on 31 minutes. Eight minutes later Martin Reeves restored Boro’s lead and that looked like being good enough for Roger Ashby’s side until substitute Eugene Francis popped up with a stoppage time leveller for the Nottinghamshire visitors. Kettering Town entertained Harrogate Town at Rockingham Road in a crucial game involving the play-off places. A crowd of 1238 saw the Poppies revamped defence, missing regular centre backs David Theobald and Craig McIlwain through suspension, concede a 23rd minute penalty that Danny Holland converted successfully. Despite another half time reshuffle into a more attacking formation, the hosts crucially conceded a second 13 minutes from time, with Holland once more the man on target. Another side harbouring play-off hopes, Hinckley United, had to be content with one point from their visit to the Impact Arena against Alfreton Town. The home side, whose form has improved of late, pushed further clear of danger thanks to a last-gasp equaliser from Mick Godber after recent signing Matt Lewis had given the Knitters a 31st minutes lead.


NEXT WEEK'S NATIONWIDE NORTH FIXTURES
Monday 6 March: Hyde United v Vauxhall Motors, Worcester City v Redditch United.
Tuesday 7 March: Harrogate Town v Gainsborough Trinity, Hucknall Town v Hednesford Town, Kettering Town v Alfreton Town, Lancaster City v Leigh RMI, Moor Green v Hinckley United, Nuneaton Borough v Northwich Victoria, Stafford Rangers v Stalybridge Celtic, Workington v Barrow, Worksop Town v Droylsden.
Saturday 11 March: Alfreton Town v Stafford Rangers, Barrow v Worcester City, Droylsden v Kettering Town, Gainsborough Trinity v Workington, Hednesford Town v Worksop Town, Hinckley United v Harrogate Town, Leigh RMI v Moor Green, Northwich Victoria v Hucknall Town, Redditch United v Hyde United, Stalybridge Celtic v Nuneaton Borough, Vauxhall Motors v Lancaster City.


LANCASHIRE CUP SEMI-FINALS
Accrington Stanley 2 Southport 4 (387), Kendal Town 3 Lancaster City 4 (aet - 348),


FA TROPHY SEMI-FINALS
Ties to be played on 18 and March: Boreham Wood v Woking, Exeter City v Grays Athletic.


WARD FULL OR PRAISE FOR YOUNG TEAM
From www.nonleagedaily.com, by Matt Donlan, 2 March

Peter Ward, manager of Nationwide North club Lancaster City, has heaped praise on his young team after they completed the comeback of comebacks to reach the Final of the United Co-Operatives Lancashire Trophy. Ward believed his dream of leading the Dolly Blues into the Final had died when his men trailed Kendal Town 3-1 with a minute to go. But keeper Tony McMillan sparked a comeback with a goal, before Ryan Elderton took the tie into extra-time with his second penalty of the night.

City then won the match 4-3 through Alex Taylor's 21st goal of the season and a breathless Ward beamed: "That was something else. You are thinking at 3-1 down and a minute to go that you will never score. We battered Kendal in the second half but it seemed nothing was going our way. You need a break in football and we certainly got that with Tony's goal. He just kicked it out of his hands long and straight and their keeper misjudged the bounce. But that is that bit of luck you need and then we got the penalty and Ryan did well with that. But we deserved that. We played really, really well in the second half and even at 3-1 down we never threw the towel in. It was the comeback of comebacks - and it was tremendous. And that shows the spirit of the team. We had a lot of players missing on Tuesday and Andrew Bond was sick before the game and couldn't play. We only had one sub we could use on the bench and he was only 80 per cent fit so it is very pleasing."

Of the Final, which takes place at the Lancashire FA headquarters on March 28, Ward adds: "It's a great game against Southport for everyone involved with the club. It's a great reward for the players, the backroom staff, the board and all the fans. I am looking forward to it so much - but we need to put the game on the back-burner and concentrate on the League for a couple of weeks."


WORLD CUP 2006 PREDICTIONS COMPETITION
From Christopher Roddie

It's nearly time for the greatest football competition on the planet (after the FA Trophy, of course). Will the Brazilians dazzle in Deutschland, will the Germans be regimental in their pursuit of victory, or will Sven's men put England fans out of their misery? If you consider yourself an expert in these matters, have a go at the World Cup Predictions competition being run by the Barrow AFC (National) Supporters’ Club. First Prize is a "Man of the Match" sponsorship to the home game of your choice (winner will select from available matches). This prize consists of pre, half-time and post match food and drinks for two people. Winners name will be highlighted on all match day publications, and announced during the match. *An equivalent prize will be offered for an overseas winner.

Second prize is a 2006/07 replica Barrow AFC shirt. It is also hoped for a special prize for predicting the correct total number of goals to be scored by all teams in the whole competition.

Entry fee is £3 for one entry, or two entries for £5, and the scoring works as follows;

First Round Matches
Correct result 2 point
Correct result and score 5 points
Example: England 1 Sweden 0
If you have predicted 1-0, you will get 5 points for the right result and score
If you have put 3-0, you will get 2 points for the right result
If you have put 1-1 or 0-1 etc. you will get 0 points

Predict Second Round, Quarter-Finalists, Semi-Finalists, Finalists and the Winner:
5 points for each correct team into Second Round (last 16)
10 points for each correct Quarter-Finalist.
15 points for each correct Semi-Finalist.
20 points for each correct Finalist.
25 points for correct Third Place team
30 points for the Winner.

Entry forms available by contacting Chris Roddie (details below), or download from www.barrowfc.com

All proceeds from this competition will benefit Barrow AFC, even the prizes are a direct contribution. All entries (including entry fee) must be on the forms available from the website, and must arrive by Friday 2nd June to Chris Roddie at "Claremont", Wolverhampton Road, Penkridge, Staffordshire, ST19 5AQ or chris_roddie@hotmail.co.uk

Please make all cheques payable to "Barrow AFC (National) Supporters Club". The competition is open to anyone, whether a member of the NSC or not. Regular updates will be available at www.barrowfc.com, and included in the "Zigger" newsletter, and the Holker Street Newsletter.


THE PLACE OF THE STADIUM IN THE MODERN FOOTBALL INDUSTRY
Given by: Simon Inglis, Wednesday 8 March at 6pm, Room G01 – Clore Management Centre, Birkbeck College, Torrington Square, London WC1 7HX, directions at http://tinyurl.com/cfdrg

Football stadia play a critical role in the life of any football club. They provide the stage on which the game is played out, and the theatre in which it is watched. In financial terms they remain almost universally the key capital asset of a football club – collateral against loans however risky. And even in the Premier League they provide the key source of revenue through turnstile and related commercial income e.g. most recently Manchester United (whilst still a public company prior to the takeover by the Glazer family) announced that they would not be paying a special dividend to shareholders in November 2004 as the monies were ear-marked for stadium expansion at Old Trafford.

It was the rebuilding of Britain's football stadia in the 1990s following on from the Taylor Report into the 1989 disaster at the Hillsborough ground which many would argue created the foundations for the financial re-birth of the game. Football stadia also frequently carry with them a unique cultural value which football fans value highly, and which has frequently led to active supporter-led campaigns to oppose ground moves.

Simon Inglis – whose recent book on stadium designer Archibald Leitch was runner up in the 2005 William Hill Sports Book Award – is Britain 's leading authority on the place of stadia in the football industry. In this seminar Simon addresses the issues outlined above by chronicling the history of football stadia development in Britain over the last twenty years. Beginning by addressing the reasons for the parlous state of the grounds of the Football League in the 1980s, he will then explain the key drivers behind the stadia rebuilding drive of the 1990s, before concluding with some observations on the place of the stadium in the future development of the football industry. Simon will also place stadiums within the overall context of Britain 's sporting heritage, a theme he is currently promoting as editor of English Heritage's pioneering series, Played in Britain (see www.playedinbritain.co.uk).

Reading
• Inglis, S. (2005). Engineering Archie: Football ground designer English Heritage
• Inglis, S. (2004). Played in Manchester : The architectural heritage of a city at play. English Heritage.
• Inglis, S. (2000). Sightlines: a stadium odyssey. Yellow Jersey Press.
• Inglis, S. (1996). The Football Grounds of Britain. Collins Willow.
• Inglis, S. (1990). The Football Grounds of Europe. Harper Collins Willow.
• Inglis, S. (1988). League Football and the Men Who Made It : The Official Centenary History of the Football League. Harper Collins Willow.
• Inglis, S. (1982). Football Grounds of England & Wales. Collins Willow.

For further details on this seminar series contact: Sean Hamil: s.hamil@bbk.ac.uk


NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE REFER DISPUTE TO ARBITRATION
From the UniBond League Newsletter

After months of negotiations the Northern Premier League (UniBond) has reluctantly had to accept that their dispute with the Football Association over the level of restructuring to be implemented in 2006 has finally reached an impasse despite the League's concerted efforts to resolve the problem within the game. Unfortunately, due to the restrictions under the "Regulations for the Establishment and Operation of the National League System" this has left the League with little option in pursuit of their reasoned objective for a 1, 2, 3, 6 structure other than to give formal notice to the FA of the NPL Board's decision to refer the matter to arbitration.

The NPL made a final written plea on 14th February requesting the position be reviewed so that Arbitration could be avoided and this was considered by the FA League's Committee at their meeting on 23rd February. The decision of the League's Committee was that the 1, 2, 3, 5 structure would be implemented for season 2006/7 and they would endeavour to implement a sixth First Division in the North for season 2007/8.

The dispute centres on an unprecedented "U" turn by the FA League's Committee at the end of September 2005 when they decided to change the decision notified prior to the start of the current season to all participating Leagues and clubs that they were to implement a 1, 2, 3, 6 structure in 2006. This structure allocated two Regional First Divisions to each of the Isthmian, Northern Premier and Southern Leagues to feed in to each of those League's three Premier Divisions - an eminently logical, fair and sensible structure considering that the FA plans the number of Leagues to feed from the next level was to be reduced to twelve.

When the FA's League's Committee met at the end of September they, without any notice or consultation, changed their original decision to have six First Divisions to that of a 1, 2, 3, 5 structure leaving the Northern Premier League as the only senior competition without two regional First Divisions although the FA did indicate that another Division may be allocated to the Northern Premier League at some undefined stage in the future. Undoubtedly this decision undermined the position of the Northern Premier League within the structure as it was inequitable and also had a detrimental impact on the future of football in the North and particularly on the Feeder Leagues with links to the North who between them would be providing a significant allocation of clubs for promotion within the formally notified 1, 2, 3, 6 structure.

The North West Counties League, the Northern Counties East League and the Midland Football Alliance have all given their committed support to the Northern Premier League's efforts to have the 1, 2, 3, 6 structure re-instated. This is in addition to the support already given by the Football Conference and Isthmian League. Also of note is the volume of support across the country to back the 1, 2, 3, 6 structure with over one hundred clubs applying for promotion to the higher level.

The change to a 1, 2, 3, 5 structure also has an adverse effect on clubs in the North Midlands whether currently in the Northern Premier League or its feeder Leagues. All these clubs face an uncertain future as those in the Northern Premier League may find themselves transferred to the Southern League, very much against the wishes of most of them whilst clubs in the Midland Football Alliance and the more southerly regions of the North West Counties League and Northern Counties East League will face a lottery each season as to whether they will be promoted to the Northern Premier League or the Southern League. It should be clear for all to see that promotion to the Southern League from either the North West Counties League or the Northern Counties East League fails to make any sense whatsoever. No convincing reason has been given by the Football Association for their change in direction and action of this nature defies all the fundamental principles of good practice in governance when the governing body of the game makes such a significant change part way through a season contrary to the terms and conditions it had submitted to all participants prior to the season starting.

The Northern Premier League has given notice that Mr Graham Bean has agreed to act as their Arbitrator. It is the League's understanding that until such time as the Arbitration process has been finalised any decision on restructuring will be placed "on hold" although this has yet to be confirmed by the Football Association.


FROM THE BARROW v DROYLSDEN PROGRAMME (PART THREE)
On This Day - 25 February by Phil Yelland.

1995: UniBond Premier Division: Barrow 2 Winsford United 1

Barrow manager Tony Hesketh had a number of headaches going into this game. He was unable to field two players who had joined the club on loan only two weeks earlier. In a surprise move, both Eddie Kennedy and Barrie Stimpson had been recalled by Lancaster City. One of their places was filled by another loan signing with the versatile Alan McDonald who had been signed for one month from Southport. He joined another player on loan from Southport, Jimmy Blackhurst in the side. He was halfway through a one month loan period form the Conference side. Midfielder Ian Horrigan was also able to return to duty after serving a three match suspension. The team were looking for revenge against the Cheshire side that had beaten them 3-0 at the Barton Stadium earlier in the season and followed that up by knocking Barrow out of the FA Trophy in a replay. Mark Dobie was missing through suspension. Two other regulars were missing through injury - Steve Knox and Wayne Maddock which meant the bench was weaker than in recent weeks. The visitors were on the usual lines. Barrow began well with Horrigan creating a couple of early chances and it was therefore a surprise when the visitors took the lead on seven minutes in their first meaningful attack. The Barrow defence was caught in possession on the edge of the box and Joe Roberts drilled the ball beyond Andy Johnston. Barrow quickly bounced back and were on level terms just seven minutes later. The creator of the goal was Jimmy Blackhurst who made a strong run down the right. He fed McDonald. He fired in a shot that was blocked by Pullar but the ball fell to Andy Whittaker who smashed the ball home from six yards. Barrow then dominated the remainder of the half. With Horrigan and McDonald prompting things several good chances were created for Whittaker and Blackhurst but their efforts were either off target or produced good saves from Robinson. His best save came ten minutes before the interval when he saved at full length after Steve Holden connected cleanly with a Horrigan corner.


The first twenty minutes of the second half saw little meaningful action. United were content to soak up pressure and Barrow failed to create any clear chances. Robinson twice saved well from Horrigan before, on 79 minutes the visitors were reduced to ten men. Blackhurst tried to set Holden clear with a neat lob. However, United's Pullar intercepted with a deliberate hand ball and saw a red card. Barrow increased the pace further as they sensed a real chance to take all three points and on 85 minutes, Barrow collected the winner courtesy of debutant Alan McDonald. Chris Speak had had a quiet game but, at last he found space on the right to send in a cross and McDonald produced a superb glancing header which eluded the despairing dive of Robinson. Barrow clearly deserved the points which lifted them to tenth place in the table.

Barrow: Johnston; Mark Jackson, Parillon, A. Kennedy, Mike Brown; Speak, McDonald, Horrigan, Blackhurst; Whittaker, Holden. Subs: Emmerson, Tyson & Hoyland - unused.
Winsford United: Robinson; Pullar, Farrelly, Talbot, Thelwell; Danskin, Stokes, O'Loughlin, Kabbani; Roberts, Blundell. Subs: Maynard for Blundell - 70 mins; Westray for Kabbani - 88 mins; Bird - unused
Referee: Mr M. Cowburn (Blackpool).
Gate: 635