Holker Street Newsletter 18 - 24th November 1997

These are the best of times and these are the worst of times, at the start of the season most supporters were quietly confident that this year would be Barrow’s, and we would be promoted. Now as we approach Christmas, we find ourselves at the top of the League, we won away at Frickley, some sixteen points clear, so far ahead the rest of the pack need binoculars to even glimpse us. However, instead of being happy and dancing from the roof tops, we find the Chairman has resigned to spend more time on the his defence against the Customs and Excise investigation against him, and with it, withdrawn his financial support from the club. This has had a profound effect on the club’s finances, and Barrow AFC are in desperate statics, I have heard rumours from other UniBond League clubs that Barrow are not expected to survive until Christmas, whilst this is perhaps a little over the top, and the reports of Barrow AFC’s death are greatly over exaggerated, the situation is very grave.

In this Newsletter you’ll read articles from Friday’s Evening Mail detailing the efforts to save the club, and I’d like you all to consider how you can help the club. Granted those of us who live outside of Barrow can’t attend the matches, there are other ways we can help. The Barrovians in New Zealand clubbed together and sent UKP60 to the club to help with the pitch sponsorship scheme, perhaps you could do the same, even sending UKP10 would put your name in the programme for the rest of the season. I realise this alone isn’t going to solve the financial problems the club have found themselves in, but it will help a little, and probably do a lot for morale at Holker Street, a tenner from New Zealand, a fiver from the States, twenty quid from Australia and fifteen from South America would make a difference.

There are other ways you can help, and I’ll run through these in the mid-week edition after we play Marine in the President’s Cub. The address for the club is: Barrow AFC, Holker Street Football Ground, Wilkie Road, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria LA14 5UW. Telephone: 01229-820346 (club and office), fax: 01229-820346.

BTW, this one goes out to 67 people.


VAUGHAN IN TALKS TODAY
Evening Mail, 19 November

Former BAFC Director Brian Vause is to meet Stephen Vaughan today to clarify the out-going Chairman's future involvement at the club. Following Vaughan's dramatic resignation on Sunday there hasn't been a clear picture as to whether the Liverpool based businessman will continue to back the club. Vause has arranged a meeting with Vaughan at a out of town location for noon today when the pair will attempt to resolve what the ex-Chairman’s future role will be. Vaughan was unavailable for comment, but Vause said this morning "I am meeting Stephen at noon to clarify some of the outstanding matters and to obtain clarification of his position and support."

Vause, who resigned as a Director three months ago, is working to try and steady the Barrow ship following Vaughan’s resignation after nearly three years as Chairman at Holker Street. Vause has also arrange a meeting at the Sports and Leisure Club for tomorrow afternoon when the remaining Directors: Ged Rule, Owen Brown and Phil Cowing will meet some local business people. The aim of the meeting is to try and attract support for the club and also discuss the way forward.


VAUGHAN HALTS AFC FUNDS EX-CHIEF WOULD CONSIDER GROUND SALE
Evening Mail, 20 November

Former BAFC Chairman Stephen Vaughan will no longer be funding the Holker Street club and would consider selling the ground and his shares. Vaughan, who has been Chairman since March 1995, sensationally quit on Sunday, citing an on-going investigation by Customs and Excises as his reason for resigning. However, the picture wasn't clear as to whether he would financially back the club, but the matter has been resolved following a meeting between former Director Vause and Vaughan yesterday. In a statement issued to the Evening Mail this morning Vause says he asked the ex-Chairman if he is prepared to finance the short comings in the club. To which Vaughan replied: "I can't, I must now direct all my efforts and funds to clear my name and salvage my other business." Vaughan is still the major shareholder of BAFC and he is the owner and landlord of Holker Street. Vause asked for clarification as to what he plans to do with the ground and his shares.

"Would you be prepared to relinquish your shares?" asked Vause. Vaughan, who confirmed he had resigned as both Chairman and Director, replied "Given the choice I would like to be a shadow Director, in order to see my hard work and cash reap the reward of the club winning this League. Vause then asked: "Do you wish to retain your share holding?" Vaughan replied “Ideally, yes." and then on the question of being prepare to relinquish his shares, he said "if someone came along and offered a realistic price, linked with the same commitment to the club I have, then in the interest of the club, yes." As regards selling the ground, where the Bluebirds have a 99 year lease, Vaughan said: "If I was made an offer, and I had the appropriate assurances the club would continue in its challenge to get back into the League, and secure the club’s use as per lease terms for 99 years, yes."


SPEARE SET TO HEAD BLUEBIRDS' DEFENCE
Evening Mail, Friday 21 November

BAFC could have a new goalkeeper between the sticks tomorrow in their League clash at Frickley Athletic. First choice keeper Farrelly is likely to miss out after suffering shoulder ligament damage in last Saturday's game against Guiseley. However boss Brown is poised to sign-up former Everton trainee James Speare, 21, who has also played for Hyde and Droylsden this season. Brown said: "I would say Steve probably won't play and there is also doubt over Johnston. He's the sort of lad who is loathed not to play and he'll do all he can to start tomorrow, if not we will get Speare on loan. "Barrow can complete the double over Frickley tomorrow, but Brown is expecting a tough game in Yorkshire. He added: "They are a useful side and they have done better than people expected this season. It's not a nice place to go and we'll have to scrap a bit."

Barrow: Farrelly, Speare, McCauley, Prior, Robertson, Higgins, Jones, Humphreys, Johnston, Hennigan, Brown, Bauress, O'Keeffe, Morton, Coates, Cooper.


IT'S CRITICAL — COWING'
BAFC Director Phil Cowing admitted the situation at Holker Street was now 'critical' following the resignation of chairmen Stephen Vaughan. As well as resigning his position on the board Vaughan has stopped funding the club which means AFC have to quickly find another source of income. Cowing said last night: "The situation at the moment is critical, because Stephen Vaughan's backing has been paramount to the club’s future. He has bailed the club out and he is no longer able to do that. "Cowing then added it is up to the people to decide whether they want to back the club and get it through this traumatic time or not. He added: "The choice for the town is do we want to carry on as we are and go all out for promotion or do we let it slip away? We need plenty of support from the public through the turnstiles and also from businesses." Cowing and AFC's other Directors Ged Rule and Owen Brown met 'several' local business people at Holker Street yesterday afternoon. The meeting was arranged by former Director Brian Vause to try and attract some more sponsorship for the club. Cowing issued the following statement after emerging from the meeting at 5.45 pm yesterday: "The board of BAFC held a constructive and informative meeting with several local parties. A full insight into the current situation was given with all forthcoming questions openly answered. Naturally those present needed time to digest contents of the meeting and further talks are planned in the very near future. There were also interested parties unable to attend due to previous commitments. It's is hopped to update those concerned at the next meeting. We are very grateful for the time and effort taken by all to attend today and for the interest shown and hope some benefit will be forthcoming. As this was a hastily arranged meeting there may be other people interested and they are welcome to contact myself (Phil Cowing) on 833271."


WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER
Evening Mail Sport Comment

Stephen Vaughan has revolutionised BAFC. When the Liverpool based businessman came to Holker Street he had a mission, build a top notch outfit capable of promotion, gain a precious grade ‘A’ for the ground, and to maintain the club’s support as the best in the League. All of those targets have been achieved, but on Sunday, Vaughan dropped the bombshell that he was to quit as Chairman, Director and financial backer of the Bluebirds.

In a statement issued this week Vaughan cited the pressure from an investigation by Customs and Excise as his reason for quitting. Since he exploded onto the Barrow scene in 1994, Vaughan has put in considerable time, effort and money to catapult the club back from the brink of disaster, but no more. All of Vaughan's attention will now be concentrated away from Holker Street. So where do BAFC go without their main benefactor? How will the club in its current state survive and who will step into Vaughan’s shoes? The remaining three Directors have rallied together as they seek to pull the club out of this crisis, but even with the best intention, sheer effort will not ensure survival. The fact is, the only thing that will guarantee AFC’s future is money. Without cash the 96 year old club will perish. Business people have helped in the past when needed at Holker Street, and the time has come for them and others to show their support again, but the most immediate thing is down to YOU the fans. Barrow must get the turnstiles spinning with huge gates at Holker Street. This season Barrow really are on the verge of achieving the promotion dream. They are thirteen points clear at the top of the UniBond Premier Division. THEY CAN DO IT. After Saturday’s away game at Frickley, they have got a run of home matches at Holker Street. These are now crucial to the survival of the club. Let's see 1500 or more into the ground. Let's show that we want a semi-professional, and hopefully one day, a professional side in our town. Without your support it's all over, the game’s up. Crowds of 1500 will go a long way to ensuring this club survives. Everybody in our community needs to rally to a club which has brought so much joy to generations of Furness folk. Now is the time for all of us to pull together in arguably BAFC’s greatest hour of need. The club and supporters want Vaughan to stay, but at the moment that does not look likely. We owe it to BAFC, we owe it to ourselves and, most of all, we owe it to every fan who has paid to go through the turnstiles at Holker Street to battle tooth and nail to ensure the club survives, thrives and goes forward. The best way you support the club is to BE HERE NOW.


SUPPORT HIM, OR BUY HIM OUT
Last Sunday Stephen Vaughan shocked BAFC by resigning as Chairman and Director of the Holker Street club. As he still remains as major shareholder and owner of the ground there was some doubt as to what his future role would be. Former Barrow Director Brian Vause took it upon himself to meet with Vaughan on Wednesday to discuss what part the ex-Chairman would play in the club so everybody would have a clear picture. Yesterday Vause issued a statement which we have printed in full. In it he discusses his relationship with Vaughan and also reveals what was discussed in their meeting.

As was reported in Wednesday’s Evening Mail, I did meet Stephen Vaughan to clarify a number of outstanding matters, and, of course, his future with the club. May I first say that during my involvement with the club, and the matters that I have attended to, have resulted in many personal discussions with Stephen and documentation coming my way about him and the club. My name and integrity mean more to me than the club, Stephen or any other matter both for my family’s sake and those who trust in me through business. However, I can truthfully state in all my dealing with Stephen Vaughan I have no evidence to support anything other than his sincerity in his dealings with BAFC. I am aware of the amount he has financially helped the club, and without his input there would be no questions to ask, as BAFC would no longer be. It is ironic that he is now paying the price and he has not yet been charged. It is as per his statement on Monday that he has now to address his priorities, no matter how painful, in a different order, and, as you would all expect, his first is to do all he can to clear his name and salvage what he can from his various business interests. Therefore the question you may be asking are no different, I expect, than mine.


HERE IN BRIAN VAUSE'S OWN WORDS, HE RECALLS HIS CONVERSATION WITH FORMER CHAIRMAN STEPHEN VAUGHAN.

BV: Have you resigned?
SV: Yes and completed the appropriate forms as both Chairman and Director.
BV: Why?
SV: In order to clear my name and concentrate on my affairs in general, but given the choice I would like to be a shadow Director, in order to see my hard work and cash reap the reward of the club winning this League.
BV: Do you wish to retain your share holding?
SV: Ideally, yes.
BV: Would you be prepared to relinquish your shares?
SV: If someone came along and offered a realistic price linked with the same commitment to the club I have, then in the interest of the club, yes.
BV: Are you still prepared to finance the short comings in the club?
SV: I can't, I must now direct all my effort and funds to clear my name and salvage my other business.
BV: How is the club fixed with the ground?
SV: You know it has a 99 year lease which must be honoured, I will still be landlord.
BV: To date you have not paid rent, what is the position on this?
SV: My other company secured a loan to buy the ground on the basis of a weekly rent of £400, at present all the monies owed are in arrears (which amount to several thousand) I am prepared to write off, but due to current circumstances I must now show the loan is being serviced and therefore starting in December, I must ask for the rent to be paid.
BV: Would you be prepared to sell the ground?
SV: If I was made an offer, of which you know the amount, and I had appropriate assurances the club would continue in its challenge to get back into the League, and to secure the clubs use as per the lease teams, then YES.

That's the end of Vause's report of the conversation with Vaughan, but Vause finishes his statement with the message which follows. "The other items discussed are club matters, and I trust both Stephen and the Directors are not offended by this statement, but the press will push for questions to be answered. To all the supporters, may it be business or through the turnstiles, you are the key to success to AFC. It is not healthy nor possible for it not to fall on one person at this level, and nor should it. We are the most supported club, surely they should be no more to ask, but when the average gate is 1285, and it drops to 925 at an average price of UKP4.17 which is UKP1591, who can ignore it? You budget on what is the norm and if not achieved, someone has to make it up. It is my intention, with the Board’s approval as soon as practicable to arrange two evenings one for you the supporters to direct questions at the Board and one to Owen, the team manager, please support them.

On a different note, the Board desperately needs additional skills, in particular an accountant or serious book keeper, and three business people who can divorce their passion from on field events to running a limited company. If the company is secure, then it is trading, be it newspapers or running a football team is secure, and can plan its own future. In the interest of the people of Barrow who support all your business give them some entertainment back, I ask the Council, the business community, and supporters please keep supporting the club, it is so near a continued long term successful future. If anyone wishes in any way on a one to one basis to discuss how they can now help, or even take over if that is their desire please contact me, and I will assist in any way I can. I can be contacted on (01229) 813610 or mobile 0589 692368, alternatively speak to Phil Cowing at Apollo Blinds on (01229) 833271. I finish printing the last paragraph of Stephen's letter I was given yesterday confirming the above, and ask can anyone match his commitment to Barrow? SUPPORT HIM OR BUY HIM OUT THE CHOICE IS YOURS.

Stephen’s letter read "As you are aware, Brian, it is Customs and Excise that have put me in this position and without this investigation I would have remained at the club indefinitely. In conclusion therefore, I would like to thank you for the help you have given me over recent months and I will leave matters in your hands. As you are aware I am more than wiling to discuss propositions and I believe you are in the best position to deliver what will be the best deal for all parties, but most importantly the best for Barrow AFC.


MID WEEK RESULTS
Tuesday: Blyth Spartans 0 Emley 2
Wednesday: Gainsborough Trinity 0 Accrington Stanley 0, Winsford United 0 Bamber Bridge 1


FRICKLEY 0 BARROW 1
Match report from James Whitton

Barrow ground out a result this afternoon on a typically cold foggy Frickley afternoon winning 1-0 in a hard fought and sometimes bad tempered match. Unfortunately the price they paid was to lose Stuart Humphreys with a suspected broken leg.

The first half was largely disappointing from a Barrow point of view. The home side were definitely up for this match and they played some good football going forward. They managed to hustle and niggle Barrow out of their game with their captain Hancock particularly successful in getting a number of Barrow players wound up. Several Barrow players seem to get sidetracked into feuds with their opposite number. These were the same tactics as Frickley used last time I went to Westfield Road. Frickley managed to hit the woodwork three times in the first half, one of them from a penalty which was blasted on to the bar, and in addition missed two other excellent chances all from headers. Amazingly Barrow went in at half time one goal with a well taken Prior goal very much against the run of play after 23 minutes.

Owen Brown obviously gave the lads a roasting at half time and Barrow seemed to come out in a more determined mood. They started harassing Frickley on the ball and winning balls in midfield. Bauress went off after ten minutes to be replaced by Brown who added more bite in midfield and was unluckily booked for a perfectly legitimate tackle. Barrow only looked in serious danger once when tripped a Frickley player in the penalty box but the referee decided the tackle was legitimate (perhaps because they had 'tried it on' so many times before). Humphreys was seriously injured and carried off on a stretcher - the word on the terraces, via the dugout, was that his leg was broken in two places. Considering Frickley could have been 5-1 up at half time the home fans will feel they were robbed, but in the end it was a hard fought victory for Barrow.

Once again Farrelly was man of the match in spite of playing with a seriously injured shoulder (apparently Barrow tried to sign a loan keeper before the game and at one point considered playing Marginson in goal). Jones and (once he got his act together in the second half) also had great games and Morton and Coates worked hard up front.

So Barrow go marching on, but it may all be to no avail. I don't want to alarm you overseas fans but from what I heard at the game we can not survive for more than a week or two without further financial support as the club runs up a financial loss every week and can no longer be bailed out by Stephen Vaughan. No doubt you'll get news from other sources close to the club. Let's pray for deliverance!


UNIBOND LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION, 22 NOVEMBER 1997
Accrington Stanley 1 Bishop Auckland 1, Alfreton Town 1 Lancaster City 1, Bamber Bridge 0 Colwyn Bay 2, FRICKLEY ATHLETIC 0 BARROW 1, Guiseley 2 Chorley 1, Hyde United 3 Leigh RMI 3, Marine 1 Altrincham 0, Radcliffe Borough 1 Blyth Spartans 2, Runcorn 2 Gainsborough Trinity 0, Spennymoor United 1 Boston United 2, Winsford United 0 Emley 1.

P W D L F:A Pts
BARROW......................21 14 4 3 34:12 46
Boston United...............19 8 8 3 25:18 32
Bishop Auckland.............19 8 7 4 36:28 31
Altrincham..................20 9 3 8 34:20 30
Runcorn.....................19 9 3 7 35:27 30
Guiseley....................19 7 8 4 29:25 29
Emley.......................18 8 4 6 31:26 28
Colwyn Bay..................18 8 3 7 26:28 27
Winsford United.............13 8 2 3 18:8 26
Lancaster City..............21 7 5 9 33:38 26
Spennymoor United...........16 7 4 5 22:22 25
Hyde United.................16 6 6 4 29:22 24
Gainsborough Trinity........16 7 3 6 21:17 24
Accrington Stanley..........21 5 8 8 25:29 23
Leigh RMI...................13 5 5 3 19:12 20
Marine......................15 5 5 5 20:20 20
Frickley Athletic...........18 5 5 8 18:26 20
Bamber Bridge...............19 5 4 10 24:36 19
Blyth Spartans..............18 4 6 8 19:26 18
Radcliffe Borough...........18 4 4 10 22:36 16
Chorley.....................19 4 3 12 21:43 15
Alfreton Town...............16 2 2 12 11:33 8

Barrow’s next game is at home to Marine in the President’s Cup on Tuesday 25 November.


NEXT WEEK’S FIXTURES
Tuesday 25 November: Accrington Stanley v Hyde United, Chorley v Winsford United.
Saturday 29 November: Bishop Auckland v Radcliffe Borough, Chorley v Alfreton Town, Frickley Athletic v Hyde United, Leigh RMI v Spennymoor United.


BARROW HISTORY
When Barrow play away from home, the programme usually features a two to three page history about Barrow AFC, does anyone have this information on disc, or is there some kind soul out there who would be kind enough to scan it and email a copy? I’m sure it will of interest to those on the list.


LANCASHIRE CUP DRAW
Does anyone know if the draw for the next round of the Lancashire Cup has been made, and if so, who have we got?


MORE BARROW AFC RECORDS
In last season’s Alfreton League programme there were a series of articles about Barrow’s FA Cup exploits against the home side, and did you know that when we played them in the 1969/70 season we set another record? Read on.

When Barrow AFC drew Alfreton in the 1969/70 FA Cup First Round, Barrow were a Third Division club and Alfreton were in the Midland League. The first game was played at Alfreton on Saturday 15 November 1969, and was drawn 0-0, the Replay two days later at Holker Street again finished 0-0 after extra time. The second Replay was played at a neutral venue, Chesterfield, on 20 November 1969, and finished 2-2, again after extra time. The third and final Replay took place at Deepdale, Preston North End’s ground, on 24 November 1969 and Barrow won 2-0 without the game going to extra time. Therefore, it took Barrow seven hours to dispose of Alfreton, and this still stands as a joint record for the length of time a Football League club has taken to knock out a non-League club, and as penalties are now required after a Replay, this record will never be beaten. I don’t know who we share this record with, do you? Granted, this isn’t a record we’re as proud of as Cowps’ fastest goal ever, or Bobby Know being the first ever substitute to score in a Football League game (see previous Newsletters), but it’s one all the same. Anyone know of any other peculiar records involving Barrow?

For the record the details are:

15/11/69 Alfreton (Bate 79) 1 Barrow (Hartland 78) 1. Attendance 4066
17/11/69 Barrow 0 Alfreton 0. Attendance 4211
20/11/69 Alfreton (Ford 38, Woodward 107) 2 Barrow (Garbett 27, Knox 112) 2. Attendance 7369
24/11/69 Alfreton 0 Barrow (Knox 71, Fletcher 84) 2. Attendance 4684

If you still have the programmes from any of these games, they may be worth a few bob, especially the one from the Second Replay at Deepdale, which took the form of a single team sheet, this was reputedly worth UKP9 a couple of years ago.


MORE ON THE POPULAR SIDERS
Darryn Riley has sent his comments about what may have gone wrong against Guiseley, and how the supporters there to help may have hindered, this is a common theme at the moment, I remember some of the ribald comments that used to emerge from that side of the ground when I was there, but has it become worse in recent years?

After witnessing the debacle on Saturday, Darryn agrees with the comments of many people on the list. He doesn't feel the atmosphere inspires the players, rather it puts them off. Ever since Wembley there seems to be a significant proportion of the crowd expect us to play like Liverpool every week. Every little mistake is jumped on as a reason to abuse the players. He used to stand on the Popular Side until the new stand was built and became fed up with certain individuals picking on players. One guy seemed to derive pleasure from slagging Andy Green at every match. Andy eventually snapped and shouted back 'shut the f*** up'. Another so called fan used to torment Jimmy Brown until Jimmy remonstrated with the abuser after an away match at Bishop Auckland a few years ago.

Lee was getting loads of stick at the Guiseley match and he ended up making the mistake which cost us the match. Darryn cringes every time he hears Robertson called Coco, and he assumes it's because he is black. If this is the case, it appears Holker Street still has more than its fair share of racists.

As regards the (National) Supporters’ Club coach, Darryn travelled on it a few times and for him it was a nightmare. The coach doesn't leave until an hour after the match has finished to allow people to drink in the bar. As Darryn doesn’t drink so it annoyed him. After playing Altrincham one year it didn't leave until 8pm, three hours after the end of the match. Beware if you want to leave early!


OFFICIAL SUPPORTERS’ CLUB
Jamie Ingham has confirmed that the only benefit of membership of the Official Supporters’ Club is cheaper travel to away games.


EX-BARROW PLAYERS MOVING UP IN THE WORLD
James Whitton has written about an article he saw in one of the UK papers, it might have been The Times about Manchester United which praised the excellent work of youth team coach Eric Harrison. Jim remembers Eric as a no nonsense defender in Barrow's promotion side of 1966/67 adding he wasn't the most cultured footballer in those days though a very effective 'stopper'. With Brian Kidd as Ferguson's assistant the Barrow connection at Old Trafford is very strong.


WHERE IS HE NOW?
Phillip Tate from South Africa has asked what happened to Ian Burgess? Does any one know where he is playing now?


HOLKER OLD BOYS
Now Barrow has two sides in the non-League pyramid, Barrow and Holker Old Boys, shall I include their result (but not a report) when they play? Let me know.


COMPANY IN CHORLEY VIDEOING NON-LEAGUE GAMES
This time last year a company called In The Frame were advertising in the non-League magazines offering videos of non-League games, Barrow included. I bought two tapes: Chorley v Barrow and Bamber Bridge v Barrow. Does anyone know if they are still going, and if so, what other Barrow games they have available?