Holker Street Newsletter 25 - 14th December 1997

No one ever said it would be easy supporting Barrow AFC, and since I took up the challenge in 1979, I have experienced the whole gamut of emotions: winning the FA Trophy at Wembley, relegation from the Conference the first season I moved to New Zealand (1991-92), seeing them win the Lancashire Cup in the early 80s, seeing them get stuffed 6-3 at Hyde, the euphoria of winning the NPL Championship, lose the Lancashire Floodlit Trophy Final against Hyde, the first Alliance Premier League game against Yeovil when we won 2-1, I could go on and on, and you will have your own memories, but I have never, ever known of a team blow such a lead in such a short time. This weekend we were beaten 2-1 at home by Winsford United.

Everyone remembers how Kevin Keegan and Newcastle managed to blow their lead at the top of the Premiership last season, but a month ago ours was still 13 points, since then we’ve played three League games and managed only three points, in comparison Bishop Auckland, our nearest challengers, have played five, won three, drawn one, lost one. I realise we are still top of the League, by six points as well I may add, but the pack have well and truly caught up on us. Where have we gone wrong? Yes, Vaughan’s withdrawal must have been a considerable blow, but there must be other reasons.

Ah, well, there’s next week and we’re at home again to Gainsborough Trinity.

Just to remind you, the teams that have applied for admission to the Conference next year are: Accrington, Altrincham, Barrow, Boston, Blyth, Chorley, Gainsborough, Hyde, Leigh and Runcorn. Look who the top five are in the League table below.

BTW, I’m still confident we’ll go up as Champions, I am honestly.


BARROW 1 WINSFORD UNITED 2

Another fiasco I'm afraid. Barrow had Morton, Brown and absent through suspension (chickens and roosts come to mind) and slipped 2-0 down by half time. Just after half time Barrow were awarded a penalty, which Paul Robertson blasted wide. Winsford then had someone sent off for a second bookable offence. Barrow were awarded a second penalty with five minutes to go and this time Bauress made no mistake - but too little too late.

Thanks to Jim Whitton and Radio Cumbria for this.


UNIBOND LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION, 13 DECEMBER 1997
Accrington Stanley 1 Altrincham 1, Alfreton Town 1 Colwyn Bay 1, Barrow 1 Winsford United 2, Blyth Spartans 1 Hyde United 1, Boston United 1 Bamber Bridge 1, Chorley 4 Spennymoor United 1, Emley 2 Marine 0, Gainsborough Trinity 1 Bishop Auckland 0, Lancaster City 0 Leigh RMI 1, Radcliffe Borough 0 Runcorn 0.

P W D L F:A Pts
BARROW......................23 14 4 5 35:15 46
Bishop Auckland.............23 11 7 5 46:32 40
Runcorn.....................22 11 4 7 41:28 37
Boston United...............21 9 9 3 27:19 36
Altrincham..................23 10 4 9 39:27 34
Guiseley....................21 8 9 4 31:26 33
Emley.......................19 9 4 6 33:26 31
Winsford United.............17 9 3 5 21:15 30
Colwyn Bay..................20 8 5 7 28:30 29
Gainsborough Trinity........18 8 4 6 23:18 28
Hyde United.................21 6 9 6 33:28 27
Spennymoor United...........19 7 6 6 25:28 27
Chorley.....................23 8 3 12 31:45 27
Leigh RMI...................15 7 5 3 21:12 26
Marine......................18 7 5 6 25:23 26
Frickley Athletic...........21 7 5 9 24:29 26
Lancaster City..............24 7 5 12 33:44 26
Accrington Stanley..........25 5 10 10 28:35 25
Bamber Bridge...............20 5 5 10 25:37 20
Blyth Spartans..............20 4 7 9 20:28 19
Radcliffe Borough...........21 4 5 12 23:41 17
Alfreton Town...............20 2 4 14 13:39 10


LOCAL CUPS
Does anyone know what happened to the Cambrian Cup and the Lancashire Floodlit Trophy. Are they still played for?


FRANK WARREN
Has Frank Warren officially accepted his position of Honorary President of Barrow AFC?


MOTTOS, MOTTOS AND MORE MOTTOS
Christopher Minnican, a list member in the USA, has been in touch to say Semper Sersum, the motto of the town of Barrow means “Forever Forth”, this comes via his teacher at Alfred Barrow Upper School, Brian Otto.

With regard to the Barrow AFC motto, Jim Whitton has been in contact, he believes the motto meant “Strive in order to progress”. He admits he failed O-Level Latin three times and can't claim to be an expert, but remarks "Danny" Kay, his Latin master, would be proud that he’s remembered at least one thing.

Any more offers?


LEADING GOALSCORERS IN THE UNIBOND
This is taken from the Barrow home programme against Hinckley, and is accurate up to 22 November.

League/Cup Total
Liam Watson (Runcorn) 11 3 14
Richie Alderson (Spennymoor) 11 2 13
Leroy Chambers (Boston) 11 0 11
Neil Morton (BARROW) 11 0 11
Andy Shaw (Bishop Auckland) 10 3 13
Neil Hardy (Altrincham) 10 2 12


FA TROPHY DATES

Second Round January 31
Third Round February 21
Quarter Finals March 14
Semi Finals (two legs, home and away) April 4 and April 11
Final (at Wembley) Sunday May 10

Time to book your holidays?


UNIBOND PREMIER LEAGUE ATTENDANCES
In the same programme was a League table of attendances in the UniBond (as at 22/11/97), and we are still top with 11,547 after ten home games, an average of 1155, up 4% on last season, second are Boston (average 927), Altrincham (701), Hyde (653), Accrington (502), Blyth Spartans (500), Gainsborough (495), Bamber Bridge (401), Guiseley (399), Chorley (376), Runcorn (369), Colwyn Bay (342), Marine (321), Emley (297), Winsford (275), Leigh (235), Spennymoor (235), Radcliffe (230), Lancaster (218), Alfreton (201), Frickley (184) and Bishop Auckland (181).


BARROW RESERVES

22 November 1997 Barrow 1 Alfreton LR 2


WHAT NEXT- DEFEAT CASTS GRIMS ADRIFT

Match report from the Boston Star, Boston (0) v Barrow (2), November 8 1997

It was billed as the game they couldn’t afford to lose, so what happens now to Boston United’s championship challenge after Saturday’s dismal performance against now runaway League leaders Barrow? Manager Greg Fee said before the game that people, rightly so, would be writing United off if they lost. And after this showing even the most ardent and positive Pilgrims fans will be shaking their heads after taking a long and hard look at the UniBond Premier Division table.

Boston are still in second place, but they are now eleven points behind Barrow and only three clear of Winsford, who have six games in hand on the ailing Pilgrims. It will take an alarming slump in the form of Barrow and Winsford to allow United back into the championship race, coupled with a dramatic upturn in fortunes for the Pilgrims. In recent weeks United have been guilty of missing chances, but on Saturday they didn’t even create enough clear cut openings to use that excuse. Barrow will rarely have an easier visit to York Street. Their fans chanted “Easy, easy” after the game and on this showing they were spot on. The Bluebirds looked like a team more than capable of maintaining a sustained title challenge, while the Pilgrims’ season again looks like dropping off into mediocrity.

They salvaged some pride last season from the FA Cup and the UniBond Challenge Cup, but with tricky away ties in both these competitions the odds are firmly stacked against them. Saturday’s match provided a tense opening period as Barrow contained a United side which hardly set off at breakneck pace considering the importance of the fixture. They dropped Andrew Stanhope in favour of the defensive Danny Marshall, but on this decision back-fired on 35 minutes. Marshall carelessly gave the ball away it the centre of the pitch and Barrow promptly released Neil Morton, the scorer of four goals in the corresponding fixture last year, and he finished with ease and confidence past the exposed Paul Bastock, take note Pilgrims strikers. United were stung into action and Steve Farrelly denied Steve Charles while Fee headed a corner straight at the big Barrow custodian who inspired Schmeichel-like confidence throughout his side with a competent and unruffled display. He tipped over a shot from Leroy Chambers, who then scuffed a lobbed effort wide when put through by a long punt from Bastock.

And when Farrelly was finally beaten on 73 minutes, defender Carl McAuley was on hand to whack Martin Hardy’s effort off the line. The Pilgrims continued to push. Their commitment and endeavour could not be faulted, but invention and creativity was sadly lacking. And it came as no surprise when, in injury time, the visitors settled the tie when Marc Coates, who had been twice been denied by the brilliance of Bastock, but this time he found the net after firing past the keeper.

All in all, a bad day for the Pilgrims which was further compounded by Steve Chambers, who had made a welcome return to the fray, however, his comeback lasted only 22 minutes before the injury-ravaged midfielder was stretchered off after falling badly on his troublesome ankle. He know looks set for another long stint on the sideline.

Thanks to Ken Fox, from Boston for sending me the cutting.


ANOTHER BLAST FROM THE PAST

Tony Kavanagh has supplied us some more details of a game from the past:

On Saturday 28 January 1967, Barrow played Southampton in the Third Round of the FA Cup. Southampton, at the time in the top flight, had a very useful side with twin strikers Ron Davies (later Manchester United and Wales) and Martin Chivers (later Spurs and England). Also in the team was David Webb (later Chelsea and others), Jimmy Melia (previously with Liverpool and England) and one Terry Paine who went on to be the player who had played most games in the Football League. (Has that record been broken?)

A capacity crowd turned out and Zigger was in good voice. Barrow fielded a very strong team and the only departure from the norm was that Mick Hartland was wearing the number 11 shirt as opposed to his beloved 6. Those who remember Mick Hartland, long time skipper of the club in the glory days, will remember how good he was with his head!! (See later). Tony remembers this match above all others at Holker Street over the years, for shear excitement and quality of football. Barrow played superbly and nearly brought off the shock of the round leading 2 -1 before Southampton levelled late on. Tony can't recall Barrow's goalscorers but thinks it was Mulholland (a cracking diving header if I'm not mistaken) and McAdams. Can anyone confirm this?

Tony remarks that it was a credit to Barrow’s defence coped with the power of Davies and Chivers by limiting the damage to two goals as he had never seen such awesome power in the air before or since. Although, Tony adds, if Mick Hartland had used his "heading" skills on the ball now and again he could have given them a run for their money.

Teams: (according to programme):-
Barrow: Fred Else, Jim Mallon, Malcolm Edwards, George Smith, Brian Arrowsmith, Eric Harrison, Roy McCarthy, Tony Field, Billy McAdams, Jim Mulholland, Mick (stitch that!) Hartland.

Southampton: David McLaren, Denis Hollywood, Ken Jones, David Webb, Tony Knapp, David Walker, Terry Paine, Martin Chivers, Ron Davies, Jimmy Melia, ? Thompson (although Tony recalls John Sydenham played outside left).

Despite the stick Tony has given Mick Hartland he still regards regard him as his favourite Barrow player ever. (But then adds he has to say that if he value the shape of his nose.)

Tony mentions that previous Newsletters have said that Tony Field went to play for England after leaving Barrow, can anybody confirm this, and if so against who? I can’t help on this as all my copies of Rothman’s are on loan at the moment, Ed.


ALLIANCE PREMIER LEAGUE 1981-82

Pl W D L F A Pts
1 Runcorn . . . . . 42 28 9 5 75 37 93
2 Enfield . . . . . 42 26 8 9 93 48 86
3 Telford United . . . 42 23 8 11 70 51 77
4 Worcester City . . . 42 21 8 13 70 60 71
5 Dagenham . . . . . 42 19 12 11 69 61 69
6 Northwich Victoria. . 42 20 9 13 56 46 69
7 Scarborough . . . . 42 19 11 12 65 51 68
8 BARROW . . . . . 42 18 11 13 59 50 65
9 Weymouth . . . . . 42 18 9 15 56 47 63
10 Boston United . . . 42 17 11 14 61 57 62
11 Altrincham . . . . 42 14 13 15 66 56 55
12 Bath City. . . . . 42 15 10 17 50 57 55
13 Yeovil Town . . . . 42 14 11 17 56 68 53
14 Stafford Rangers . . 42 12 16 14 48 47 52
15 Frickley Athletic . . 42 14 10 18 47 60 52
16 Maidstone United . . 42 11 15 16 55 59 48
17 Trowbridge Town. . . 42 12 11 19 38 64 47
18 Barnet. . . . . . 42 9 14 19 36 52 41
19 Kettering Town . . . 42 9 13 20 64 76 40
20 Gravesend & Northfleet 42 10 10 22 51 69 40 Relegated to SL
21 Dartford . . . . . 42 10 9 23 49 67 39 Relegated to SL
22 AP Leamington . . . 42 4 10 28 40 105 22 Relegated to SL

New entries for 1982-83:

Wealdstone, promoted from the Southern League Southern Division
Nuneaton Borough, promoted from the Southern League Midland Division
Bangor City, promoted from the Northern Premier League

[3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw]
Copyright (C) Russell Gerrard and the RSSSF