Holker Street Newsletter 744 - 5th January 2001

It appears that there are some quirks with email addresses with the and suffixes, whether this is long term or not, I’m unsure, but if you are missing any copies of the HSN, this is the third edition since Christmas, let me know on , also if you sent me an email to the barrowfc.com address and it has bounced back, can you send it again?

That’s the house-keeping out of the way, today’s edition is a real mixture, loads of bits and bobs, so I hope you’ll enjoy as much as I did putting it together, I still have a few articles I wanted to include in the HSN this week, but time has beaten me, but they will be in soon, and I hope to put out a weekend edition, so if you are going to Stalybridge on Saturday, how about a match report?

Thanks to Peter Caldwell, John Little, Poacher, Russell Dodd, Steve Pennocks, Richard Ingham, Phil Yelland and Terry Kendall for their help with today’s edition which reaches 707 people in the Barrow empire.

LOWE BACKS CALL TO SCRAP UNIBOND CUP
Evening Mail, Thursday 4 January

Bluebirds chief Kenny Lowe has backed calls to scrap this season’s UniBond League Cup in the wake of yet another postponed match. Lowe’s Barrow side should have played Workington Town at Holker Street last night, but the game was called off because of a waterlogged pitch. That was the second time that that particular Group Two fixture has bit the bullet and it was the club’s sixth postponed match in the competition. In fact since the opening Round at the end of October, Barrow have managed just the one game - that being the 3-1 win at Kendal Town. AFC’s Group Two rivals Lancaster City have also suffered a similar fate, with bad weather leading to the postponement of many of their games, and that has led City manager Tony Hesketh to call for a rethink in the structure of the competition. Former Barrow boss Hesketh, whose side won the competition last season, said in The Non-League Paper this week: "I have suggested that they suspend the competition or hold a knock-out stage instead of the group system. The weather is likely to worsen in January and February. Continuing with the competition in its present format could also lead to long term damage to pitches." And that view was echoed by AFC manager Lowe, who said: "I would agree with Tony. We have got a backlog of League games and we have still got three or four games in the League Cup to play. Then there’s the other Rounds so we are possibly looking at six or seven games."

Lowe even suggested that a coin should be tossed to decide the outcome of the group matches and hurry up the opening Rounds. In total there are 45 teams competing for the UniBond League Cup, yet before this week’s Round of postponed fixtures 12 of those clubs had only played one game, but although the League’s officials have agreed to put back the dates for the Quarter-Finals, which were scheduled to take place on January 27, they have no plans to alter its rules. Barrow’s postponed fixtures in Group Two of the UniBond League Cup to date are as follows:

October 31 v Lancaster (A)
November 28 v Gretna (H)
December 5 Workington (H)
December 12 v Lancaster (A)
December 19 v Gretna (H)
January 3 v Workington (H)

CONSISTENCY KEY FOR AFC
Neil Lauderdale assesses the Bluebirds' topsy turvey season so far in the UniBond Premier League, with high hopes for a successful 2001, Evening Mail, Thursday 4 January

It’s been a mixed start for Kenny Lowe’s Barrow side as the season enters the new year. AFC’s attempts to secure a place in the top six of the UniBond Premier League have been severely hampered by bad weather and prolonged Cup involvement. With 24 League games still to play, Lowe’s Bluebirds find themselves halfway up the table with as many as four games in hand over some of the leading teams. To date the Barrow boss has seen nine of his side’s League and Cup fixtures fall victim to the atrocious weather, while a successful run in the FA Cup also saw them lose significant ground in the title race. Yet it was that adventure into the First Round proper of the world famous Cup competition that provided the season’s highlight to date. Not since the Cup run of 1995 when Barrow were beaten by Wigan Athletic in the Second Round proper, had the Bluebirds progressed that far in the FA Cup.

In fact, when they eased past Droylsden in the Second Qualifying Round at Holker Street on September 30, that 3-0 victory was Barrow’s first win in the competition for five years, and their reward for doing so was a trip to UniBond Premier leaders and many onlookers’ tips for the title Emley, who themselves boast a very proud history in the FA Cup. Lowe’s team couldn’t have asked for a more difficult draw, but it was at Wakefield Wildcats’ RL ground on October 14 that they produced one of the performances of the season. Without star midfielder Wayne Bullimore and key defender Scott Maxfield because of suspensions, Lowe’s side won 2-1 to the delight of Barrow’s fantastic travelling supporters. Easily outnumbering the home contingent, they took the atmosphere of Holker Street to Yorkshire as Mark Hume and Nicky Peverell scored the goals that brought Ronnie Glavin’s side back down to earth with a bang, and so with Albany Northern League outfit Whitley Bay now the only obstacle between Lowe’s team and a potentially money spinning tie against a Nationwide League club, it was onto the Fourth Qualifying Round. Before that game at Holker Street on October 28, the Bluebirds chief admitted he was more nervous than ever before, such were the possible rewards, but those fears quickly disappeared when the visitors were hit for six as Barrow romped to a 6-1 win and a place in the draw for the First Round proper, and their prayers were answered when Barrow were pulled out of the hat with Football League Division Three high-fliers Leyton Orient. The game at Holker Street attracted more than 3500 fans and so very nearly saw Lowe’s team pull off one of the shocks of the Round. During a first half that they completely dominated, Barrow saw chance after chance go begging as the Orient defence stood firm under a barrage of pressure, but it wasn’t to be as the professional outfit proved the more clinical in front of goal with two second half strikes largely against the run of play. Sadly, AFC’s League form has dipped a little since that FA Cup run, although their efforts to climb the table haven’t been helped by the sheer number of postponed matches and niggling injuries to key players. Every time they have looked like stringing a run of results together their plans have been disrupted by bad weather, with heavy rain making pitches unplayable, and that in turn has led to injuries, with Nicky Peverell, Steve Housham and Lee Ellison all pulling hamstrings while playing on heavy pitches. It is, however, for that very reason why Lowe has assembled the squad he has, with strength in depth in most key areas.

One of the most recent additions to the squad was loan signing, Exeter City’s Darren Roberts, a striker who arrived at the club in November on a three month deal, but although proven to be a quality player at professional level, he has yet to settle properly at Barrow and his performances have been a little patchy. That though cannot be said of the club’s other big name centre forward, Peverell, who has started off this term just as he left off last season. The striker will be the first to admit that pace is not one of his greatest attributes, but he always seems to be in the right place at the right time. ‘Super Pev’ says he loves playing in front of the crowds at Holker Street and that obviously reflects in his performances. Peverell has already banged in 17 goals this season.

He’ll be one of the first names on Lowe’s team sheet when it is announced before each match and his importance to the overall side, not just in scoring goals but also when holding the ball up, is priceless. That can also be said of midfielder Bullimore - the catalyst to many of Barrow’s best moves. He’s not the type of player that will run around ranting and raving at team-mates, launching himself into 50-50 tackles or winning headers. Instead he brings a calmness to the centre of the park, his vision helps bring others into play and he possesses one of the sweetest left feet in non-League football. One of the most disappointing aspects of the season though has been the sporadic appearances of AFC captain Neil Doherty. Doc, more than most, has been hampered by both injury and illness and the player has struggled to get a sustained run in the starting line up. When fully fit Doherty is one of the best players in the UniBond Premier and his mesmerising runs have been the scourge of many a fun-back over the years. Sadly, through no fault of his own, the opportunity to do just that has eluded the player for much of this season, although if Lowe can get his skipper fully fit then he could hold the key in the new year. One of the biggest problems Lowe had during the early stages of the season was in goal as the manager juggled the number one shirt between Paul Heritage and Mark Thornley. When the latter left though to rejoin Lancaster City, Heritage became Barrow’s regular keeper, although his displays between the sticks were far from convincing. For such a big man he never really commanded his box or marshalled his defence and for that reason the team leaked a number of soft goals. That problem has since been rectified by Lowe, who brought last season’s shot-stopper, Simon Bishop, back to the club. Bishop looks a lot more assured in goal, his kicking game is good, his reactions are quick for a big man and he isn’t afraid to open his mouth.

Having been dumped out of the FA Trophy at the first hurdle by Runcorn, Barrow must now concentrate their efforts on the League. There’s been enough there already to suggest that they can stand side by side with the League’s pacesetters Emley and Stalybridge. They just need to add a little more consistency to their game, and with a touch of luck in the new year, who knows what heights Lowe’s team can reach? It is important that the Bluebirds’ season doesn’t just fizzle out now. AFC need to put a decent run together to ensure the 1000-plus crowds remain, because they are vital to the club’s on-going success. Financially Barrow cannot survive without the supporters, a fact illustrated by the club’s unfortunate but necessary decision this week to release defender Micky Waller and coach Tony Chilton. Boss Lowe was forced to release Waller as the cash-strapped club had to let one defender go to allow for the arrival of centre half Anthony Hall from Gateshead, and Chilton followed Waller out of the Holker Street exit door after Lowe decided he didn’t want to lose another member of his playing staff.

LANCASTER BOSS WANTS CUP TO BE SUSPENDED
News and Star, Thursday 4 January

Lancaster City boss Tony Hesketh has called for the weather-jinxed UniBond Challenge Cup competition to be suspended. City, who are due to visit Workington on January 16 for a group game, still had to play a single game in the competition until they defeated Gretna 2-1 last night. Workington, who are the group leaders with two wins from two matches, had their latest Cup game postponed last night when Barrow's Holker Street was declared unfit after taking a battering in Monday's Premier League game with Lancaster. Lancaster won the main Cup competition last season but Hesketh is unconcerned. He says: "I have suggested that they suspend the competition or hold a knock-out stage instead of the group system. The weather is likely to worsen in January and February and continuing with the competition in its present format could also lead to long term damage to the pitches." Reds boss Peter Hampton disagrees with his opposite number at the Giant Axe. "I wouldn't be in favour of that. We only have to win one more game and we would be in the Quarter-Finals, and then you are talking three other games to go all the way. I think it's too early to be talking of suspending the competition," he says. League officials have already had to put back Quarter-Final ties, due to take place on January 27, because so many teams still have matches to play in the group stages. There are 45 teams in the competition, five in each of the nine groups, but 12 of the clubs had played only one game, or none at all, before this week. Of the nine groups in the competition only eight of the winners will contest the Quarter-Finals. The odd team out, along with seven group runners-up, will contest the President's Cup while the other two group runners-up and the best of the third placed teams will go into the Chairman's Cup. Workington chairman Dale Brotherton said: "I can see Tony Hesketh's point of view and it's exasperation on his part. It's a cry for help through having so many matches postponed. There was a general feeling that the competition should be revamped because of the travelling clubs used to have to contend with. That's why the group stages were introduced and I think we've been unlucky this season with the weather at a time when numbers were raised to five per group. Perhaps there's a need for the numbers in each group to be reduced to three or four to cut congestion on fixtures if we get another bad winter, but at this stage I don't think we should be talking of suspending the competition."

FROM BEHIND THEIR PRINTING PRESSES
Lancaster Citizen, 4 January

The Dolly Blues started the New Year with a hard earned point at local rivals Barrow. Manager Tony Hesketh was content with a point, saying: "A draw was a fair result." The signs weren't good early on as Barrow took the lead on four minutes. Mark Thornley did well to save Nicky Peverell's shot but the ball rebounded to Mick McKechnie who fired the ball into the open net. Lancaster equalised in the 16th minute when Chris Ward ran 30 yards before nut-megging a defender and sending a pinpoint ball for Lee Clitheroe to side-foot the ball in from 10 yards out. Three minutes later and City had the lead after a long free-kick from Thornley was flicked on by Phil Brown for Ward, who was bundled over in the box and consequently got a penalty. Ward stepped up to take it and, although keeper Simon Bishop got a hand to it, Ward claimed his 18th goal of the season. Lancaster continued to dominate but they will rue their failure to convert one of their chances. The second half saw Barrow come back, with Thornley keeping them at bay with some superb saves. Barrow equalised when a long clearance from Bishop went to Wayne Bullimore who let fly with a stunning 25 yard drive which curled into the top-right corner giving Thornley no chance. Both teams had chances, with Brian Butler's cross cum shot nearly catching Barrow's keeper off guard. Winger Paul Crompton has been released by City and Tony Hesketh is attempting to line up a new club for keeper Paul Horridge.


UNIBOND LEAGUE CUP - GROUP STAGE
3 January, from the site at

Group 2: Barrow P Workington P, Gretna 1 Lancaster City 2
Group 4: Ashton United P Ossett Town P.
Group 5: Accrington Stanley 6 Winsford United 0
Group 5: Runcorn 6 Trafford 1
Group 7: Stalybridge Celtic 4 Chorley 2
Group 9: Leek Town P Matlock Town P

The Group 2 League table I put in yesterday’s Newsletter was wrong, thanks to Russell Dodd for sending me the correct version.

Workington 2 2 0 0 6/1 6
Lancaster City 2 2 0 0 5/1 6
Barrow 1 1 0 0 3/1 3
Gretna 2 0 0 2 2/6 0
Kendal Town 3 0 0 3 1/8 0


STALYBRIDGE BUFFET
Frank Boddy has been in touch with regards to my comments about the buffet at Stalybridge station, and confirms that the buffet reopened a few years ago, and is still as a real ale drinker's heaven, and he is planning to pay it a visit Saturday lunchtime (weather permitting)! If you haven’t been to this particular hostelry it is well worth a visit.


I WASN’T GOING MAD AFTER ALL
In yesterday’s Newsletter were a number of requests concerning items that had flummoxed me for ages, and I’m delighted to say we can clear most of them up. The first concerns the game played at Holker Street by a visiting European side, Aidan Silcocks takes up the story.

I’m sure it was the pre-season of 1979-80 when Barrow entertained a Dutch team which, if my memory hasn't failed me yet, was FC Den Haag, Barrow won 4-0 with a team including a new signing at centre forward by the name of Dave Busby. I seem to remember the club appealing for help tidying up the ground during the day of the match (it was an evening game) in return for free admission. It being the school holidays and me being a penniless 15 year-old, myself and a friend duly volunteered our services. However attending the match meant that I failed to turn up at youth club that evening with the result that a girl by the name of Sue knocked our nascent relationship on the head. I've often wondered if this was due to my devotion to Barrow AFC, my failure to tell her that I wouldn't be at the youth club, or the fact that she just didn't like me.

June 2000, almost 21 years later, I found myself lying on a bed next to the very same Sue - nothing sordid or sleazy, we were both donating blood - but refrained from questioning her on the subject since the passage of 21 years and the acquisition of a wife (who also doesn't get the "soccer thing") and child made it irrelevant. To be honest I'd forgotten all about the circumstances surrounding the demise of a teenage romance but now you've gone and dragged it all up from the depths of my memory!

I think she probably just didn't like me.


IT REALLY DID HAPPEN
In yesterday’s Newsletter, I also asked about a goal scored against Barrow by a young lad who ran onto the pitch and stopped the ball from going out, and Terry Kendall has been in touch with the details.

Schoolboy Sinks Barrow AFC: FA Trophy First Round Second Replay, February 1 1982; Kidderminster Harriers 2 Barrow 1

I remember the game very well, about 30 minutes had gone when Kidderminster player Nicholls played a long aimless ball towards the corner flag, and with the ball going out of play, Kevin Thomas was walking towards the ball when a young spectator ran onto the field and prevented the ball going for a goal-kick to Barrow. The result was a drop ball on the edge of the corner quadrant, and in the ensuing confusion Mullen’s cross found Gary Bastable unmarked in the Barrow box to send home a powerful header. Today of course Kidderminster would have given the ball back to Barrow. After 68 minutes Phil Mullen made it 2-0, Barrow pulled a goal back after 88 minutes Cowperthwaite on target. It was a long car journey back.

Terry has also sent details of a Barrow old boy in more than one way.

Hesketh Scores For Barrow
Barrow Reserves 2 Everton A 1, Evening Mail, February 1982

With half of the normal side missing, four players called into the first team and two more away with the county side, the chances of picking up points looked to be a task against all the odds, but the team took both points with goals by Jimmy Fazackerley, and Tony Hesketh, a former Lytham player. Fazackerley put Barrow 1-0 up following a corner from Kevin Tulley amid protests by the Everton side, who appealed for a foul on the goalkeeper. The Barrow side looked well worth an interval lead, but right on the stroke of half-time the Barrow defence were caught square and Rimmer ran through to beat Kevin Brockbank and level the score. Although playing against the wind in the second half, the Barrow side matched the Everton work rate and were rewarded for their hard work when again from a Kevin Tulley corner the ball was only half cleared and Tony Hesketh playing his first game for Barrow Reserves, drove the ball high into the net for the winning goal.

Terry adds that he doesn’t know how many more times Tony played for the Reserves, but if he reads the Newsletter may be he will let us all know. Ralph’s note: Unfortunately he doesn’t receive the Newsletter, neither do I know if he’s on email. Can anyone help?


LEIGH JENKINSON
Yesterday’s Newsletter mentioned that the UniBond press release stated had signed Leigh Jenkinson, when the local press had not mentioned him, well, thanks to the Barrow AFC national press officer, Phil Yelland, we can reveal the following on the player.

Leigh Jenkinson is a friend, Phil believes of Lee Turnbull, and has played for Hull City, Coventry City, St Johnstone, Hearts, Wigan Athletic and Dundee United as well as Rotherham United and Birmingham City. He was released by Dundee United last year after several injuries.


THE TRUTH
By The Poacher, from the Barrow AFC web site fan’s forum (abridged)

I think it is about time someone from the club (Barrow AFC) explained what financial restraints the club is operating under on, because I am starting to get pi**ed off with the constant cash strapped club tag, the constant pleading to supporters for money, money, money. I would appreciate if someone could explain to me how a club like Emley and many others can sustain to be a top club on gates of less than 300, how do they pay wages (which must be half decent to attract good players) and other expenses?

On Boxing Day I went along to Lancaster with my son to follow the lads, (UKP5 adult, UKP2.50 children), but what amazed me was when I gave the old geezer on the gate a tenner, he gave me a fiver back, saying I should buy something at the snack bar with the change, What a refreshing change, I thought, to go to a match and not be hounded for money from when you enter the ground to when you leave.

Ralph’s note: This is a fair point, and one that must be repeated across the pubs in Barrow as well as the non-League community, Barrow AFC are seen as a club with excellent crowds, in most cases some three times larger than other UniBond Premier League clubs, and bigger than a number of Conference sides come to that, and many people must be thinking they are swinging the lead. Well, they are not, a while ago I wrote in the Newsletter that Barrow have debts no honest man could pay, after the line in a Springsteen song, and things haven’t changed, negotiations are in hand on the matter, but there has been no progress to report, so in the meantime, and I’m using the information from John’s posting on the forum, the club are still paying some UKP2000 per month to the liquidator and UKP400 per week ground rent which equals UKP3600/4000 per month. On an average of two home games per month you can effectively knock off the revenue from 400 supporters per home League game just to pay the liquidator and then the club have to make a profit after that. When you take into account the number of postponed home games, and you see how bare the cupboard is, and remember, under the rules imposed by the liquidator, the club cannot trade at a loss. So the money has to be made up, which can be done by support through the gates, which is falling. Or support from the supporters that do come through the gate, and this is seen as killing the goose that lays the golden egg. So what other options are there? Trying to obtain more support from local businesses is one, and one that has been examined and re-examined, Frank Layton is doing wonders in this area, but I believe the litmus test is the number of nationally known companies that have a presence in Barrow, and support the club. Whilst there is the merest doubt over the financial affairs of the club, it’s possible that some of these companies will prefer to keep their distance from the club, unfair, but a fact of life, and as the reputation of the club and those running it improves, then, perhaps their interest will increase. This was brought home to me when I watched the video of the Orient game, when I saw the advertising boards around the ground, yes there were a fair few, but there were also a number of gaps, spaces, some sizable, which if filled would help the club. The point I’m trying to make here is that with the best will in the world, events have conspired against the club, the weather has dealt a blow to the matches and the cash flow, the courts still have to unravel the web that exists around Holker Street, etc. But all is not lost, it just needs more of the loyalty and fervent support that has carried us this far.

Some people have pointed out that the club must have done quite well out of the FA Cup run, yes, but not as well as everyone thought to be honest, the real reward comes from meeting the big boys as Leyton Orient will do this weekend when the play Tottenham Hotspur. Yes the gate from the FA Cup First Round was quite good, but it has to be spread out to pay for the bills associated with covering the game: policing, players’ bonuses, payment to the FA, etc, I did hear the club were considering putting out a few words about the revenue from the FA Cup run and where it went, I haven’t seen this yet, but it might be an idea to show everyone and remove any doubts.

So going back to the original points made by Poacher, I hope this has put your mind at ease, if it hasn’t, get in touch with me at or via the forum. That goes for everyone of course, not just The Poacher.


IT’S A SMALL WORD, BUT I WOULDN’T LIKE TO PAINT IT (PART 345)
From Aidan Silcocks

August 1997. A slightly run down hotel in Aleppo, Northern Syria, which hints at its former glory days when the likes of Agatha Christie and other luminaries of the day stayed there. Having a cool beer and a chat. "So your from Barrow then?"

"Yes" I reply.

"How's the football team doing?" I explain then current situation - newly promoted to the Conference etc.- and then ask how he knows about the team.

"I was at school in Edinburgh with a guy called Phil Yelland. He was mad about them" came the truck driver's reply. His name, for Phil's benefit - Elgin.

Small world.


VIDEOS FROM DONKEY’S YEARS AGO
Phil Yelland has been in touch with regards to my request for information on the video taping of Barrow games in the early 1980s, and he believes the chap concerned was Andy Watson who lived in Lindale Avenue at one time, Phil remembers him from years ago and met him again sometime ago when Phil was sure he was videoing games. Andy had a company but Phil can't remember what it was called.

OK, we have some movement on this, does anyone know this chap, Andy Watson, if so, can we see if he still has the tapes, I sense a treasure trove may just be around the corner, or in the attic.


GRAHAM KELLY AND BARROW AFC

You will have read the article in the Evening Mail about how Graham Kelly, the former chairman of the Football Association, and a man with a good reputation within non-League circles, mentioned that he believed the Barrow AFC chairman, Brian Keen was one of the ten top chairman in the English game, which is a hell of an accolade when you consider the other names on the list, well, after a bit of digging, I’ve found the article Graham wrote for The Independent, and there are a couple of other pieces from the same paper which feature Barrow.

Wanted: humility, ability and love of the game
By Graham Kelly, The Independent, 1 January 2001

I suffered my first-ever illness in 2000. Since then, things that formerly troubled me no longer seem to matter as much. Does it really matter that the Football Association allows Ken Bates to use his Sunday newspaper column to explain its policy on the new Wembley national stadium? Or that Bates' assurance that athletics would not be brought back into the plans ran directly counter to the views expressed by his colleague Sir David Hill-Wood, who on the very same day was telling readers of a different paper that athletics might indeed feature again, provided they brought some money to the table? Bates and Hill-Wood formed an unlikely alliance on the Wembley board. Hill-Wood, an Old Etonian with a posh accent who, bizarrely, represents Australia's interests (whatever they might be) on the FA Council, owes his position largely to his experience as a City banker, but he has not been able to persuade the money men to stump up the UKP400m needed for Bates' ambitious scheme. Small wonder, then, that, to dispel this confusion and restore confidence in the project, the FA replaced Bates as chairman, notwithstanding the vote of confidence he accorded himself, by Sir Rodney Walker, who thought he possessed the different qualities that would be needed to have the stadium built.

When another controversial and abrasive personality, Sir Alan Sugar, announced he was selling his Tottenham Hotspur shares, a radio debate ensued on the qualities desirable in a chairman. I suggested clubs should aspire to a chairman with money, self effacement, vision and, above all, love for and loyalty to the club, their employees and local community. There followed some wry observations on how Aston Villa's Doug Ellis, like Sugar under fire from fans for perceived stinginess, failed to reach the standard, not least because of his previous involvement with Birmingham City and Wolverhampton Wanderers. They like to tell the story at St Andrew's of how they ran Doug out of town, only for him to surface at the Villa a few years later. He will not have minded the opprobrium too much, for, with his air of world-weary superiority, Doug's legendary vanity is such that he would far rather be criticised than ignored. I nominated a few chairmen who had done a good job for their club while retaining an element of humility. Steve Gibson at Middlesbrough has demonstrated great loyalty and courage in getting the club to where they are and deserves them to stay up this time. He is also a decent player himself. John Dennis followed his father, Ernest, as Barnsley chairman and has ensured the club remain true to their core values through bad times and good. Bad times do not come any worse than those Bournemouth and Barrow have endured. Both are still around in no small measure because of Trevor Watkins and Brian Keen respectively. Barrie Kilby has brought new vigour to the Burnley board and, for a time this season, had the immense pleasure of looking down on his team's despised rivals Blackburn Rovers, whose surge back to prominence owed much not to a chairman but to the generosity of the late Jack Walker. Peter Boizot is a similar benefactor, whose money has sustained not only Peterborough United but also many other amenities in his home city. The paperback version of Barry Fry's autobiography will be keenly awaited if he adds one or two tales of his charming chairman's quirks. Bob Murray proudly, and rightly, proclaims Sunderland to be the community club. Their fans are the very ones you would most want to meet at a motorway cafe on a wet Saturday night after your team has been stuffed 4-0. John Madejski must have a high acceptance level among the Reading supporters, because he has the confidence to leave his gleaming Rolls unattended outside the grounds on match days.

Descending murk fails to hit the magic of the Cup
By Graham Kelly, The Independent, 27 November 2000

Last weekend the impending winter gloom really started to descend. After the glamour boys of the Premier League had had their moment on Match of the Day, it was the turn of the minnows, as non-League clubs scurried about in the murk trying to embarrass their higher-status opponents in the First Round of the FA Cup. It has become the fashion to knock the Cup, or rather the Football Association, since it compounded existing difficulties by encouraging Manchester United, the holders, to withdraw from the competition last season in order to help the World Cup 2006 bid. I will venture to suggest that fewer than one per cent of the crowds huddled together trying to keep out the chilling rain last weekend gave a damn about the alleged loss of the Cup's magic. This was their day, if not in the sun, at least in the spotlight of the temporary floodlights. Just two more wins – and some of the teams had already played four or five Preliminary Round matches since the end of August – and they could dream of being drawn against Premier League opposition in the Third Round. I made the long trip to Barrow, as did 500 or so Leyton Orient supporters, many of whom were delayed by a rail problem at Preston, thus causing the kick off to be put back by 15 minutes. These unfortunates were summarily informed by tannoy that the coaches back to Lancaster would be departing 10 minutes before the final whistle whether they were on board or not. By that time the outcome was no longer in doubt and the obedient fans who left Holker Street as instructed will have done so safe in the knowledge that, for all Barrow's earlier efforts, which had culminated in a couple of disallowed goals for offside and two more good chances going begging, the UniBond League outfit had little left in their locker by 4.50pm. It was a shame, really. Though it would have been a little implausible to regard Orient as the toffs from the metropolis, Barrow have played Football League teams five times with absolutely no joy since the loss of their League status in 1972. The club have not had a lot of luck since. There were some shenanigans at Barrow a couple of years ago and they are still in liquidation, the Holker Street ground the subject of litigation. Last year this little local difficulty resulted in the Conference throwing them out – fancy being voted out of both the Football League and the Conference! – and it was eight matches into the 1999-2000 season before the club started their campaign in the UniBond League. Still, adversity has only enhanced the natural warmth of the people of Barrow and, in the tiny sponsors' lounge before the match, plastic coats were distributed to guests, which either said much about the prevailing climate on the exposed peninsula or little for the design of the stand. I stood near the corner flag and chatted to a life member of the club who had supported Barrow for 40 years. Given the emotional pull (as a schoolboy I had played in a representative match on the ground), I wanted Barrow at least to put on a good show, which they did, though Match of the Day only had time for Orient's clinically-dispatched goals, but the football supporter's natural inclination for an upset was tempered by my experience as a director the previous night at Luton Town.

The Hatters had survived to draw Darlington away in the Second Round only because Rushden & Diamonds, those perpetual tilters at Football League windmills, had contrived to miss chance after chance. I know how I would have felt had Lil Fuccillo's team lost to non-League opposition in his first match in charge, so I could not bring myself to wish a similar fate in the interests of the greater glory of the FA Cup on those Leyton Orient supporters facing a long and uncertain trip home. The occasion at Kenilworth Road was marred just a little bit by the custom of some spectators, who obviously did not feel they had had their money's worth unless the evening had been spent in hurling abuse at the opposing fans. I don't have to come here for this, I thought, I could stay at home and watch television. At least the goalmouth excitement will have made for compelling viewing by the Sky subscribers and the UKP75,000 fee accruing to each club could conceivably have meant more to the home side than to Max Griggs' non-League plutocrats, who took the reverse in sporting manner.

Millennium Stadium here we come.


SOME THOUGHTS
From Aidan Silcocks

With regard to the comings and goings of players this season it is a shame to see Waller go after his outstanding performances last season but he does seem to have been lacking confidence this season and has been overshadowed by the excellent Warren who has become "Mr. Dependable" at the back. Hall looked OK against Lancaster at Holker Street, certainly better than Brydon (whatever happened to him?). I didn't notice his "girly" running as previously mentioned by Sharkey but would suggest that the description better fits the gait of both Ainsley and Roberts, neither of which looks like a natural athlete, in fact Ainsley reminds me of a new born giraffe. Can't say either of these two have impressed me yet.


MENTIONED IN DISPATCHES
In an article written by Brian Viner, “Wright thrives on part-time problems“, in The Independent of 20 December, regarding Mark Wright and his time at Southport, Barrow received a mention: “Disappointingly, Wright doesn't seem remotely interested in these sparkling reminiscences. No, sorry, he's never heard of Eric Redrobe or Jim Fryatt or Andy Provan or Alex Russell. He knows that Ronnie Moore was here for a while, though. Inwardly, I am scornful. Ronnie Moore? Who gives a toss about Ronnie Moore? I bet he doesn't even realise that Peter Withe, later of Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and England, started his career with Southport (who rather myopically gave him a free transfer to Barrow)? "No, I didn't know that. To be honest, I'm more interested in the future than the past." Bloody heathen.”


FROM THE BARROW v LANCASTER CITY MATCH PROGRAMME
Sent in by Phil Yelland

On This Day - 1 January by Phil Yelland.
1981, APL, Barrow 2 Northwich Victoria 1

Twenty years ago, our first visitors of the New Year were our old adversaries, Northwich Victoria. The last game of the old year, at Holker Street, had seen title chasing Altrincham record a 4-0 win with four second half goals and Barrow boss Mickey Taylor gave careful consideration to reshuffling his side. In the end he made just one change to the starting line up with Mick Richmond returning on the right side of defence to replace Keith Mulgrove. There was a change on the bench, too with Phil Jackson replacing Mickey Worswick. The visitors were on the usual lines and were looking to improve on their effort on Boxing Day when the teams had played out a 0-0 draw at the Drill Field.

On a sticky pitch, both sides struggled in the early stages to take control of the game. Barrow's first chance fell to Colin Cowperthwaite who just failed to get a touch to an inviting Mickey Moore cross. At the other end, the prolific Colin Williams eluded his marker and clipped the bar with a shot from a Wilson pass. However, it was Barrow who drew first blood, taking the lead on 19 minutes. The scorer was the hard working Mickey Moore who dived full length to head home a John Gerrard cross after a quick Maurice Whittle free kick. Vics went in search of an equaliser and Kevin Thomas denied the lively Denham. On the half hour, after another free kick, Royston Taylor was close to extending the lead with a rasping shot that clipped the crossbar. Barrow were happy to go in at the interval, in the lead. The team made an excellent start to the second half as, on 47 minutes, they extended their lead. Again Mickey Moore was the hero with an excellent finish to a superb move. Mick Richmond got clear down the right and crossed; Taylor controlled the ball and fed Cowperthwaite who slipped the ball to Moore who steered it home from close range. That stung the visitors and Wilson tested Thomas with a close range effort before, on 56 minutes, Vics reduced the deficit. The scorer was Colin Williams who scored from close range after Wilson had flicked on a cross from Anderson. The game swung from end to end. Cowperthwaite looked to have increased the Barrow advantage only for Hall to clear off the line; at the other end a Denham effort beat Kevin Thomas only for Steve Brooks to produce a timely goal line clearance. Barrow were always dangerous when they broke down the right and from another Richmond run, the defender exchanged passes with both Taylor and Moore only to shot straight at Ryan. In the closing stages, Pearson set up Cowperthwaite, again only for him to be denied by a last ditch Murphy challenge. Barrow just about deserved their 2-1 win but Vics were to gain revenge ten days later when, in an FA Trophy tie at Drill Field, they ran out 3-0 winners.

Barrow: Thomas; Richmond, Brooks, McDonald, Eatough; Taylor, Whittle, Moore, Gerrard; Cowperthwaite, Pearson. Sub: Jackson - unused.
Northwich Victoria: Ryan; Eaton, Mayman, Forshaw, Murphy; Anderson, Jones, Hall, Wilson; Williams, Denham. Sub: Smith.
Referee: A. Dobson (Blackburn). Gate: 969.

UniBond Round-Up
As we reach the halfway mark in the season, its time to reflect on the position in the Premier and First Divisions.

Two Horse Race?: It looks as if the Premier Division title race may be a two club affair, even at this stage.

Whilst they played well on the first day of the season, I am sure that few of us would have expected to see Emley clear at the top of the table. Boss Ronnie Glavin did not make many signings over the summer although the versatile Gary Hatto, signed for neighbours Frickley Athletic, has clearly been influential. Their trump card, however, has been Lebanese international striker Wael Nazha. They were certainly lucky to come across his talent, free of charge and the question may be how long they can hang on to him. Previously, the Yorkshire outfit would not have been eligible for promotion to the Conference because their own Welfare Ground would not have met the appropriate criteria. However, it is assumed that their move to Belle Vue to groundshare with RL Super League side Wakefield Wildcats will give them a ground that would allow them entry. The one downside to their progress has been the disappointing gates following the move but they might point to the increase in attendances which Leigh RMI have attracted in the Conference as being something that they might also experience. They would also have 'derbies' against Doncaster Rovers, Scarborough and Halifax Town, if the Shaymen are relegated from Division Three.

I think they will be pushed all the way by Stalybridge Celtic who only recently lost their unbeaten League record at today's visitors Lancaster City. Phil Wilson, the manager has been over the course before and he seems to have unearthed a trio of good new young strikers in Matt McNeill, Kevin Parr and Tony Sullivan. Celtic have built carefully following their relegation from the Conference three years ago and they still have Gary Bauress patrolling midfield and looking for his fourth UniBond title medal. There have been tales of possible financial constraints at the Bower Fold club but, apart from the attendance for their top of the table clash with Emley, the numbers coming through the turnstiles seem to have been disappointing. Another problem that Celtic may have is the state of the playing surface. I understand that the recent heavy rain has left the pitch in a bad way which may mean they have to slog their way to glory.

As we discovered a couple of weeks ago, Bishop Auckland may yet push themselves into the title race. There is no doubt that boss Tony Lee has built a promising side with experience in the right positions. Striker Andy Shaw is probably playing the best soccer of his life and with a new ground on the horizon, Bishops could be ready to step up. I suspect that it will not be this term, however. Three other teams, Accrington Stanley, Altrincham and Worksop Town are all tucked in behind and, in the case of the Tigers, they are having few problems scoring goals. I believe, even at this stage that all three clubs have lost too many games and seem to be too inconsistent to be real title contenders. In the case of the Tigers, they must be one of the few clubs in recent times to have a chance of collecting over 100 League goals in the season.

Going Down?: At the start of the season, Spennymoor United looked likely to struggle and the results to date suggest that it will take a minor miracle for them to survive. Manager Peter Mulcaster has done a remarkable job, wheeling and dealing to try to improve his squad but a group of talented youngsters need time to gel. I think they have little chance of survival. The other relegation place could be between Frickley Athletic and Leek Town. The Westfield Lane side have made a remarkable recovery from the 12-0 hammering that they suffered at Worksop and new boss Steve Richards has brought in a number of experienced players and they have stopped leaking goals. As their form improves, that of Leek Town continues to slump. Despite the appointment of former Northwich Victoria boss Mark Gardiner to replace Andy Holmes, they continue to struggle and, it is aid that they have no money to bring in any new faces. A record of 13 goals in 19 games emphasises the problem. The only other side who might slip into trouble are Blyth Spartans who have 13 defeats in their opening 21 games and their record at Croft Park, once a fortress, is poor.

Moving On Up: It looks as if four clubs will contest the First Division title. Two come from Yorkshire and, one of those clubs will be backed for the title for those with long memories. At the time of writing, the leaders are Bradford Park Avenue and, one of the reasons for their rise to the top has been the goals of former Barrow striker Andy Hayward who was snapped up from Frickley in the autumn. Also up in the pack from east of the Pennines are surprise packets Stocksbridge Parks Steels. The Sheffield based sides have a small squad which made prove to be a draw back but their strike force: Gary Hurlstone, Wayne Biggins and Carl Fothergill might provide enough goals if they can keep fit and free from suspension.

From the west of the Pennines, the two front runners are newcomers Vauxhall Motors and ambitious Ashton United. If Vauxhall can keep up their excellent start, they will certainly be in their at the death but, I can't help wondering how Merseyside might support a fourth team in the Premier Division given that none of the current trio are commanding big gates. The same may apply to Ashton United where former Emley boss Gerry Quinn seems to know just what is needed to win promotion. In recent years, United have gone very close several times and, if they were to go up, they would have local derbies to look forward to against Hyde United, Droylsden and possibly Stalybridge. Last season the race went down to goal difference on the last day of the season and the same thing could happen, again.

Holker Street Review: A warm welcome to our first game of this New Year, 2001. Just like the start of any season, everyone will have hopes for the year. With the season halfway through, it seems unlikely that we will be in the title shake-up although a long winning run could change that. However, we are still involved in two Cup competitions and, we are now into our centenary year. This afternoon, we welcome our old friends, Lancaster City to Holker Street and will hope to go one better than the 2-2 draw, here, last April. There are numerous connections between the clubs but, it looks like Mark Thornley, who moved to join us from City in the summer will be in goal for them again. Because of printing deadlines, I can't comment on the game that was scheduled for the Giant Axe last Tuesday but, with a bit of luck, we will be looking to complete another double.

Fixture News: Firstly, don't forget there is more action, here at Holker Street on Wednesday evening when the visitors will be Workington in a UniBond Cup Group game. The game was, of course originally scheduled for early December but was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. At the time of writing, we still await confirmation of the dates for the two outstanding games in the Group - at home to Gretna and away to this afternoon's opponents Lancaster City.

Marsden Trophy Date: Next Tuesday, 9 January, we will be at home to Conference outfit Southport in the Second Round of this year's Marsden Trophy. It gives us the chance to gain revenge for defeats at Haig Avenue on three occasions in the last five years, in the competition. Last season, the Sandgrounders squeezed home in a five goal thriller against us in the FA Trophy. It looks as if they will have two former Bluebirds in their squad in defender Carl MacAuley and ex Liverpool star Mike Marsh who joined the club from Kidderminster Harriers after his spell with us. Last season at the same stage of the competition, we recorded a 2-0 win over Morecambe at Christie Park and a repeat performance would do nicely.

Looking Back: One of the things I normally look do at this time of year is the past year for the club - the highs, the lows and the events which have shaped what has happened. I wonder if you agree with my views.

Best Home Game?: I'm sure many of you will take the view that the most important game of the year came just six weeks ago when over 3600 fans saw us go out of the FA Cup to Third Division Leyton Orient. By common consent, we deserved more than we got on the afternoon but that's football. The most entertaining game was almost certainly the final home game of last season. Gateshead may have run out victors on that warm May evening but the quality of football played by both sides and the spirit in which the game was played will long be remembered by those who watched the game. The Tynesiders clinched a 5-3 win with a late goal. It could easily have finished 4-4.

The best Barrow footballing performance probably came at the end of August when we defeated the previously unbeaten Accrington Stanley 3-0 that left everyone wanting more. That was an evening where Wayne Bullimore and Steve Housham controlled midfield and the team turned in a complete performance.

The most whole-hearted performance came in the face of adversity at the end of February when a scratch side including no fewer than three new faces scrapped it out with League leaders and eventual champions Leigh RMI and earned a 2-2 draw which was nearly a sensational win.

Most Disappointing Home Performance?: I believe that there are three candidates for that dubious award. The 3-0 home defeat by Whitby Town back in March was a poor performance whilst the Yorkshire side's 3-2 win, here in November saw another game where the defence struggled. I suspect, however, that a lot of you would vote, in this category for the recent home game with another north east side, Bishop Auckland. Whilst the visitors did play well, to be 4-0 down at home at half time, tells its own story.

Best Away Performance?: It has been suggested that three games would fall into this category for consideration and, two of those came within three days of each other. The first took play at Kingsway, back in January when we defeated Bishop Auckland 3-1 with a skilful performance. Two nights later, an effort involving skill and no little determination saw us win 2-0 at Morecambe in the Marsden Trophy and, the Conference side was at full strength. The third candidate for the award comes from this season. It is the 4-1 win at Hucknall Town back in October. Hucknall is not an easy place to win and, whilst a goal in the opening minute, clearly helped, it was a performance which combined skill and determination and clinical finishing.

Worst Away Performance?: Overall, our away record over the year has been pretty good but some of the efforts have been less than impressive. The 0-0 draw at Spennymoor back in March was probably one of the least inspiring performances of the year. If you are looking for a couple of afternoons when it really did all go wrong, then the 4-2 defeat at Worksop in September and the 2-0 defeat at Gainsborough at the end of last month probably fit the bill.

Happiest Memory?: Nostalgia doesn't do anyone any harm, I reckon and those of you who were lucky enough to be at the ground in mid-July might just agree with me. Everyone expected the current squad to defeat the 1990 FA Trophy winning squad and, they duly did 6-2 but it was a fantastic event. To see Peter McDonnell pulling off a string of fine saves 10 years on and Neil Doherty netting the best goal of the game were two of the highlights from the 1990 side. At least one of the current squad found out that Kevin Proctor is as competitive as ever.

Player Of The Year?: At the end of last season, Mickey Waller scooped a series of awards. This term there are other candidates challenging for that title. Steve Housham and Wayne Bullimore have been outstanding when they have been on top form - a fact recognised by their selection for the UniBond Representative XI in November and that honour was also well deserved by Nicky Peverell whose consistency in front of goal has stood us in good stead. Of the summer signings, both Lee Warren and Scott Maxfield have produced some impressive performances but I suspect that many of you will have your own personal favourites.

The Management: It was a roller coaster of a year for Kenny Lowe and Lee Turnbull. There were some tremendous performances for them to be proud of whilst there were others where they were left tearing their hair out. What cannot be forgotten is that they picked up the Premier Division 'Team of the Month' award, twice, in January and October and well as picking up the 'Performance of the Month' in August for the 3-0 win over Accrington Stanley. There is till a lot to be done and, I hope you would all agree with me that they are doing a good job and no one can doubt their commitment to the job.

The Board Of Officials: Boards of Directors or Officials rarely get much credit. In case anyone has forgotten, they are running the club whilst it remains in liquidation and that presents a very unusual set of problems. I doubt that many people realise the amount of effort that has been put in just to keep the club afloat and the show on the road. They have done a fantastic job and continue to work to ensure the future of the club and to see the club progress. Well done; keep up the good work.


LOOK BACK AT THE 1974-75 NPL SEASON
By Terry Kendall

March 31 1975, Barrow 1 Stafford Rangers 3
Barrow: Duffin (B. Sharpe 56), Stevens, McGoldrick, Arrowsmith, McDonald, Martin, Moxham, Willder, Knox (went in goals), Brooks, J. Lowes.
Stafford: Arnold, Ritchie, Cooke, Bimson, Seddon, Morris, Keyes, Chapman, Jones, Cullerton, Chadwick. Sub: Hutchinson.
Goals: Mick Cullerton 33 (pen), Roger Jones 61, 83 John Martin 63 (pen).
Ref: N. Hayes (Atherton). Crowd: 250. Half-time: 0-1.