A preview of Barrow AFC A preview of fellow National League competitors Barrow AFC ahead of the 2016/17 season History The club were formed in 1901, and spent their early years in the lowest division of the Football League, with their highest finish being fifth during the 1931/32 season. Due to financial difficulties, the club were voted out of the Football League at the end of the 1971/72 season, and were replaced by Hereford United. After the introduction of a speedway track at the club’s ground Holker Street, in an attempt to ease the clubs financial situation, Barrow joined the National League at the start of the 72/73 season, after spending 51 years in the Football League. The club suffered further turmoil during the 1990’s. Despite winning the FA Trophy in 1990, and reaching the third round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history in the 90/91 season, the club were relegated to the Northern Premier League.

They were then thrown out of the Football Conference due to a winding up order in the summer of 1999, but were allowed entrance to the Northern Premier League the following season thanks to a legal dispute. After failing to acquire promotion to the Conference in 2004/05, Barrow became founder members of the Conference North, which replaced the Northern Premier League. Last Season Barrow finished 11th in the National League last season, just one point behind The Silkmen. Out of the 46 league games, Barrow tasted victory in 17 of them, drew 14 and lost the remaining 15 matches. The club’s top scorer last season was striker Andy Cook, who found the net 24 times in 45 games for The Bluebirds, he has since moved to Tranmere. The Silkmen picked up one point from both fixtures against Barrow, losing 2-1 at home at Moss Rose before securing a 1-1 draw in April at Holker Street. With the addition of Silkmen skipper Paul Turnbull and an impressive squad in the pipeline, Barrow will be confident of pushing for the top five.

How to get there Train: Macclesfield – Manchester Piccadilly – Lancaster – Barrow-in-Furness Car: Get on M60 in Gatley from A523, B5358, Dean Row Rd and A34, follow M60, M61 and M6 to A590 in Cumbria, take exit 36 from M6, follow A590 to Wilkie Rd in Barrow-in-Furness, arriving at Holker Street Stadium, Wilkie Road, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 5UW. Related Articles Gone But Not Forgotten (Part 4) | Twohundredpercent Gone But Not Forgotten (Part 4) Posted by Ian | Aug 7, 2007 | Latest | 0 | There seems to have been three main reasons why a football club would be voted out of the Football League in the days before automatic promotion and relegation with the Conference: 1. Being so spectacularly bad that there was no earthly reason why they should have been allowed to carry on playing professional football. 2. There just having been a non-league club that had caught the media’s attention, somehow. 3.

Being from a geographical location that was a bit of a pain in the arse to get to. Barrow FC fell foul of the second and third of these conditions, and lost their place in the League in 1972, even though they had been challenging for a place in the Second Division just four years earlier. The drama at Holker Street didn’t end with their demotion, either. Over the last thirty years, they have been to Wembley and a suffered a financial meltdown in 1999 took three years to resolve fully and took them to the brink of liquidation. It’s fair to say that the vast majority of Barrow’s career in the Football League was unspectacular, to say the least. They only managed three seasons outside of the bottom division in their fifty-one years, in the mid-to-late 1960s, and seldom (if ever – the club’s own website is rather scant on information regarding their history) got any further than the Third Round of the FA Cup.

Once relegated back to Division Four in 1970, however, they went into a rapid free-fall, which saw them finish bottom of the League the following season, and then third from bottom in 1972. That summer, they were replaced by Hereford United. Quite whose fault this rapid fall from grace was is open to question. Some blame their manager Norman Bodell, who arrived at Holker Street during the 1968-69 season and immediately saw the team tumble down the divisions. Others blame the introduction of speedway, which ruined the pitch drainage (personally, I’m not buying this as an excuse – if the Barrow team were used to it, it would, if anything, give them something of an advantage at home – over-watering the pitch was a tactic regularly used by managers until it was outlawed by the Football League in the 1930s). Hereford United had become media darlings with their FA Cup run during the 1971-1972 season, during which they beat Newcastle United in a Third Round replay and held West Ham United to a draw in the Fourth Round before losing the replay at Upton Park.

Strangely, some Barrow fans still hate Hereford United for being elected into the League in their place. It’s perfectly reasonable to say that Hereford’s promotion into the League wasn’t, strictly speaking, deserved. They’d won the Southern League just once, in 1965, and had only finished second in the season in which they were voted into the League. However, to continue to blame Hereford United for applying to get into the League in the only way in which they could at a time when the Football League effectively acted as a cartel, and finding that their luck was in. The vote was a tight one – Barrow and Hereford scored the same on the first ballot, before Hereford won the second one and, with that, Barrow were out. A further blow would come to the status of the town of Barrow-in-Furness in 1974, when the 1972 Local Government Act kicked in, shuffling Barrow from Lancashire into the newly-formed county of Cumbria. Barrow FC were more fortunate than most other former League clubs as they were invited to join the Alliance Premier League in 1979.

They were unable to build on this, though, and spent most of the 1980s bouncing between the Conference and the Northern Premier League. In 1988, though, they reached the FA Trophy semi-finals (going out after two legs and two replays to Enfield), but went a stage further and won it at Wembley two years later. The good times weren’t to last long at Holker Street. In 1996, they were taken over by a Liverpool-based businessman called Steven Vaughan. Vaughan, to put things mildly, could be described as an unsavoury character. A long time friend of the convicted drug trafficker Curtis Warren, it was widely believed that Vaughan was acting as a front for Warren, and in January 1999 the club was suddenly wound up and a protracted investigation was launched to establish exactly who the owner of their stadium was. Demoted from the Conference in the summer of 1999, they were placed into the Northern Premier League upon the request of the FA. It took three years for them to complete the purchase of Holker Street. Since then, Barrow have struggled on the pitch, though they have managed to retain their Conference North status.

Their last brush with controversy came earlier this year, when one of their players became the first to be jailed for an on-field offence, when he was sent away for punching a Bristol Rovers striker during an FA Cup match. It’s not ideal, but it must be better than having to worry about whether the man running your club is a convicted drug trafficker or not. Five Bluebirds Of A Feather Peter Withe – The European Cup-winning Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest striker played one match for Barrow in the 1971-1972 season, their last in the Football League. Mike Marsh – Formerly of Liverpool and West Ham United, Marsh was playing for Southend United when he picked up a serious injury, the insurance policy for which meant that he could never play League football again. He played for Barrow in the 1998-99 season. Colin Methven – Voted in 1998 as Wigan Athletic’s greatest ever League player, Methven, who played over 500 matches for Wigan, Carlisle, Walsall and Blackpool, finished his playing career at Barrow in 1994.

Tony Parks – The Spurs reserve goalkeeper, who saved the winning penalty in their 1984 UEFA Cup win against Anderlecht, also played in the financially ruinous Barrow team of 1998-99. Share: Football: Good times return to Barrow | The Independent Football: Good times return to Barrow NON-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK Friday 7 November 1997 00:02 BST Click to follow The Independent Online Halifax Town, the leaders of the GM Vauxhall Conference until they suffered their first league defeat of the season at Cheltenham last weekend, are not the only former Football League club in good form this campaign. Barrow lost their League place in 1972 and were last in the Conference in 1992. After being replaced in the Fourth Division by Hereford it took them 12 years to taste success of any kind. They won the Northern Premier (now UniBond) League in 1984 and again in 1989. The following year the FA Trophy was lifted at Wembley, but since then the Cumbrian club have under-achieved.

Now, though, happy days are back at Holker Street. Barrow have an eight- point lead at the top of the UniBond Premier Division, which they will extend into double figures if they win tomorrow at second-placed Boston United in non-League football's match of the day. The top six attendances of the Premier Division season have all been at Holker Street. Barrow have kept nine clean sheets in 17 games while Neil Morton is among the league's leading scorers with 10 goals. Also, thanks partly to the money invested in the club by chairman Stephen Vaughan, a Liverpool businessman, key men have remained loyal to Barrow. Dave Higgins, for many years a stalwart in the Tranmere Rovers defence until his release in the summer, rejected an opportunity to return to the League with Chester. Of equal significance was the decision of Barrow's manager, Owen Brown, the former Carlisle and Tranmere striker, to turn down an offer to take charge at Stafford Rangers.

"I would have been better off financially going to Stafford," Brown said, "but I wanted to finish the job off at Barrow." - Rupert Metcalf Barrow (Home) - Preview - News - Lowestoft Town - Lowestoft Town FC Capacity - 3000 Seating for - 466 Car Parking: Limited on-street parking but agreement with local college 250 yards away for cars to park there. Food & Drink: There is a fully licensed bar within the clubhouse. While in the ground there is Muriel’s Tea/Coffee Bar, Barbara’s Tea/Coffee bar at which a selection of pastries is also on offer, our burger van and our excellent chilli van that has had rave reviews from travelling and home supporters for its curry, chilli, nachos, jacket potatoes, etc, etc. BT Sports (LIVE - 12:45pm) – Southampton v Tottenham Hotspur:- Prior to the game the big screen TV's in our Social Club will be showing the Live Premier League match from St Mary’s Stadium between Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur.

The turnstiles will be open from 12:30pm and as usual our fully licensed bar will be open to serve hot/cold drinks and bar snacks. So why not come along early to enjoy a live premiership game and a couple of beers before Lowestoft Town take on Barrow. Farewell to Micky ‘Mr Lowestoft’ Chapman:- After 32 years, 480 first team appearances, 193 goals, 147,600 plus minutes and 1640 games in total (player and manager); Lowestoft Town will being saying farewell this Saturday to a club legend, Micky ‘Mr Lowestoft’ Chapman as he takes charge of his last ever game. Micky Chapman will be welcomed onto the pitch prior to kick-off and via a guard of honour. On top of this there will be a brief opportunity for supporters to say their farewells to him after the game and as a final and hopefully fitting send off, the club are organizing a "Night with Micky Chapman" that will be held at the football club on Saturday 4th July 2015. It will be an all ticket event and tickets will be by application only.

More details of this exciting event will be released over the next few days. Form:- Lowestoft Town (15th) – Last five league results; DDWDW Leading Scorer (League) – Jack Ainsley (11) Barrow (1st) – Last five league results; WDLWW Leading Scorer (League) – Andy Cook (23) Lowestoft Town are one of the form sides in the Conference North in recent months with a ten game unbeaten run (twelve in all competitions). This run of form has not only seen them consolidate their place at Conference level but has also made them a tough nut to crack. The blues are even winning league games on the road now, having endured a winless streak on their travels that wasn’t broken until the end of January and has now seen them register four away wins since. The Crown Meadow has also become a ground that has proved difficult for away sides to win at this season, with only Brackley Town, Gloucester City and North Ferriby United having achieved victory over the blues.

On top of this the blues have an impressive and unbeaten home record against the current top ten sides in the league, with wins over Fylde, Solihull, Oxford, Tamworth and Chorley and draws against Boston, Guiseley, Hednesford and Worcester. Barrow currently sit at the top of the table with a two point advantage going into this match but with an inferior goal difference to second place AFC Fylde, they will be focusing on all three points to make certain of the league title. It’s a long journey for the away side, as Lowestoft know only to well but with them travelling down overnight the effects of the journey will be diluted somewhat. In their last away game The Bluebirds lost 1-0 at Brackley Town but with twenty-five wins and just seven loses under their belts they rightfully sit in pole position coming into the last game. They will face a difficult task against a side that are tough to beat at home and come into the game with away figures of having played twenty, won nine, drawn 6 and lost five. However, when away from home against the current bottom ten sides, they have lost three, drawn two and won just four.

Reverse Fixtures:- (Barrow 2 Lowestoft Town 0 – Saturday 4th October 2014) After a lengthy trip and an overnight stay back in October last year; Lowestoft Town frustrated a good Barrow side for long periods of the game. However, with twenty minutes remaining the blues succumbed to a free-kick that was stabbed home by Walker, following a shove on Ainsley. Then with just two minutes of the match remaining, Owens doubled the lead to take all three points for Barrow. On the day, Lowestoft struggled as an attacking force but put in a very resilient performance that was deserving of a point but unfortunately saw them leave empty handed. A full match report of the game can be seen by Clicking Here Club History:- BARROW AFC were formed in 1901. In 1903 Barrow were elected to Division Two of the Lancashire Combination and in 1908 the club won promotion to the First Division. In 1909 Barrow moved to Holker Street, the stadium that they still occupy today.

The club remained in the Lancashire Combination up to and after World War I, winning the league in the 1920–21 season. This victory preceded the formation of the Football League Third Division North in the 1921–22 season with Barrow became one of the league's founder members. The club spent over fifty years in the Football League between 1921 and 1972, achieving promotion to Division Three by finishing 3rd in the Football League Fourth Division in the 1966–67 season. The highest league period in the club's history was to be short-lived and a return to Division Four came after relegation in the 1969–70 season. Fortunes never improved and at the end of the 1971–72 season, after an unsuccessful bid for re-election, Barrow were voted out of the Football League to be replaced by Hereford United of the Southern League.

Barrow have since spent their time in the top two levels of non-league football and have twice won non-league football's most prestigious cup competition, the FA Trophy – in 1990 and 2010, becoming the only club to have won the Trophy at both the old and new Wembley Stadium. The club suffered turmoil during the 1990's before returning to the Conference National for the 2008-09 season. After an initial strong start in the Conference National, which saw Barrow top the table during the first few weeks, the club began to struggle and found themselves just above the relegation zone by January 2009. Barrow had more success in the FA Cup, beating Brentford 2–1 in Round Two and then facing an away tie against Middlesbrough in the Round Three. They lost 2-1 to the Premier League outfit but the cup run earned the club around £250,000, allowing investment in playing resources to be made. Barrow also managed to retain their place in the Conference, finishing twentieth that season.

Having made several alterations to the squad during the summer, the club started its 2nd season in the Conference National in August 2009. After a tough start, the club put together a good run, losing only once in 16 games and reaching the FA Cup 3rd round, where they were beaten 3–0 by Premier League side Sunderland at the Stadium of Light watched by 7500 travelling supporters. Having secured their position in the Conference National in the last home match of that season, Barrow went on to win the 2010 FA Trophy Final against Stevenage Borough 2–1 at Wembley Stadium. This made Barrow the first and only club to win the FA Trophy at both the old and new Wembley stadiums. The 2010–11 season was less successful for the club, although they finished in 18th place and retained their Conference National place with a 2–0 victory over Hayes and Yeading on the last day of the season. The 2011-12 season Barrow enjoyed more success in the league, eventually finishing in 13th position.

However in February 2012, Darren Sheridan left the club by mutual consent with Dave Bayliss remained at the club as manager. The following season, 2012–13, Barrow were relegated from the Conference National after losing 2–1 at Cambridge United. In November 2013, Dave Bayliss parted company with Barrow via mutual consent and after a long wait without a manager, Barrow appointed former caretaker manager Darren Edmondson in December 2013. Their 2013-14 season finished with a mid-table position of eleventh place and with a new owner taking over midway through this season, Barrow have propelled themselves to the top of the league in great style. Lowestoft Town v Barrow Barrow A.F.C. - The Full Wiki The Full Wiki Note: Many of our articles have direct quotes from sources you can cite, within the Wikipedia article! This article doesn't yet, but we're working on it! See more info or our list of citable articles . Related top topics From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Barrow The Bluebirds, The Ziggers (pre-1970s) Founded Away colours Barrow A.F.C.

are a football team founded in 1901 based in the town of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria , England . Following promotion at the end of the 2007–08 season, they currently play in the Conference National . The club spent over fifty years in the Football League between 1921 and 1972, and have since spent their time in the top two levels of non-league football. The club colours are blue and white, though the combination of these has varied over time, leading to their nickname "The Bluebirds". Attendances at the club's Holker Street ground vary - the home record of 16,874 was set against Swansea City in the FA Cup Third Round in 1954 - but during the 1990s and 2000s the average remained consistently between 800 and 1,500. The 2007-08 average attendance was 1,084, which increased to an average of 1,590 by the end of the 2008-09 season.

Contents 6 External links History Barrow AFC were founded on 16 July 1901 at the old Drill Hall (later the Palais) in the strand and played at The Strawberry Ground, Roosecote and Ainslie Street before moving to their current stadium, Holker Street , in 1909. After early years spent in the Lancashire Combination, the club became founder members of the Football League Third Division North in 1921. Barrow remained in the lowest tier of the Football League for all but three seasons. During this time, they remained relatively obscure, only occasionally coming to national attention. Their third round FA Cup game against the then Football League champions Wolverhampton Wanderers in the 1958–59 season is particularly notable. After finishing third in Division 4 in the 1966–67 season and gaining promotion, Barrow enjoyed their highest ever league finish in the 1967–68 season, ending up eighth in the Third Division, with the club briefly leading the table. Barrow remained in the third flight of English football for another two season before returning to the basement in 1970.

In 1972, Barrow were voted out of the Football League, in favour of Hereford United , and joined the Northern Premier League . They later became founder members of the Football Conference (then known as the Alliance Premier League), the only national division in non-league football. After this, Barrow spent periods of time in both the Football Conference and the Northern Premier League. Advertisements The Wilkie years Barrow's league position since their election to Division Three (North) in 1922 Ray Wilkie took the manager's job at Barrow part way through the 1985-86 season when the club were struggling near the foot of the Alliance Premier league. It was too late to save the team from relegation, but on Wilkie's appointment Barrow AFC embarked on their most successful period in non-league football. Barrow eventually won promotion back to the re-named Vauxhall Conference in 1988-1989, finishing champions of the Northern Premier. Barrow achieved two respectable finishes in the Conference - 10th in 1989-1990 and 14th the season after.

Unfortunately Wilkie was forced to step down during the 1991-1992 due to health problems. That season Barrow would be relegated back to the Northern Premier League. As well as league success, Wilkie brought glory on the cup trail. In 1988, Barrow reached the FA Trophy semi-final, losing to Enfield after a replay. The first leg at Holker Street attracted 6,002 supporters – still a non-league record for the club. The season after, Barrow reached the 1st round of the FA Cup, losing out 3–1 at Rotherham's Millmoor. In early 1991, Barrow reached the third round of the FA Cup, losing 1–0 away to Third Division high fliers Bolton Wanderers, watched by thousands of travelling supporters. In 1990, they won non-league football's most prestigious competition, the FA Trophy , beating Leek Town 3–0 in the final at Wembley Stadium , London .

Scoring the first and third goals was Kenny Gordon, a player who was not normally found on the score sheet, and who was playing his final game for his hometown club before emigrating to Australia. Wilkie's successes can partly be attributed to getting the best out of striker Colin Cowperthwaite , who had been at the club since 1977. He scored the second goal in the FA Trophy final, but Colin had already become a legendary player at Holker Street, finishing as top scorer in each of Wilkie's five full seasons - as well as seven of the previous eight. His goalscoring exploits were coupled with a no-nonsense approach to playing the game and "Cowps" became the quintissential target man. Colin is still highly regarded at Holker Street, winning a recent poll to find Barrow supporter's favourite player in the non-league era. Cowperthwaite holds Barrow's all-time appearance record (705) and is the club's all-time leading goalscorer (282) Recent history Following Wilkie's departure in 1991, the club again struggled in the Conference and were back in the Northern Premier League.

Following three mediocre seasons, Barrow were purchased by Stephen Vaughan , a Scouse -boxing promoter and businessman. Vaughan poured money into the club, building an all-seater stand and allowing the club to sign players of Conference-standard. The Bluebirds achieved promotion from the Northern Premier League in 1997-98, under manager Owen Brown. However, Vaughan, who had connections with gangster Curtis Warren , was soon being investigated for money laundering . Vaughan left the club at the end of 1998, withdrawing his financial support that had been keeping it afloat. It transpired that the club's main asset, its Holker Street ground, had been transferred to Vaughan's company Vaughan Promotions whilst he was chairman. In January 1999, the club were the subject of a compulsory winding up order and a liquidator was appointed to run the club whilst trying to establish who the legal owner of the ground was. A new members' company was formed with the aim of providing financial support to the club and with the long term intention of taking over the running of the football club. In the summer of 1999 the club were thrown out of the Football Conference.

After a long dispute and thanks to the support of the Football Association , Barrow were allowed entrance into the Northern Premier League for the 1999–2000 season, almost a month after it had commenced. This reduced time in which to play their fixtures led to the scheduling of Barrow v Winsford United on 30 December 1999, recognised as the last professional or semi-professional game in the United Kingdom of the millennium (assuming the year 2000 is considered to be part of the third millennium AD). Barrow managed to survive in the Northern Premier League under manager Kenny Lowe , despite having to create an almost entirely new squad. The team improved over the following few years despite remaining in administration. They twice missed out narrowly on promotion back to the Conference, finishing second and third in the 2003–04 and 2004–05 seasons respectively. The legal disputes over the ownership of Holker Street were finally resolved in August 2002 and the new members company bought the Holker St Stadium from the liquidator. In 2003, the Football Association finally allowed the 'football membership' to be transferred to the new company.

In April 2004, Barrow defeated local rivals Workington in a two-legged final in the UniBond Presidents (League) Cup. The game finished 6–6 on aggregate, Barrow winning on away goals. Following their failure to gain promotion to the Conference in 2004–05 , Barrow became founder members of yet another division, this time the Conference North , which replaced the Northern Premier League underneath the Conference National. The following two seasons Barrow showed poor form in the league, narrowly escaping relegation at the end of 2006–07. Manager Lee Turnbull , who succeeded Lowe when the latter had to give up the job for work commitments, was sacked in 2005 and replaced by Phil Wilson . Compounding this was the jailing of defender James Cotterill for an assault committed on the pitch. In a first round FA Cup game Cotterill punched Bristol Rovers striker Sean Rigg , the incident being missed by the referee but caught by the Match of the Day cameras, resulting in Cotterill being the only English player in recent history to be jailed for an offence on the pitch.

[2] On 12 November 2007, after two years in the job, Phil Wilson was dismissed as manager. Although the sacking came two days after a good 1–1 draw in the FA Cup First Round against AFC Bournemouth , it was the club's continued poor league form which cost the manager his job. Barrow's first team affairs were shifted to players Paul Jones , David Bayliss and Darren Sheridan . Following a decent run of results, Bayliss and Sheridan were appointed as player-managers, whilst Jones became club captain. Bayliss and Sheridan led Barrow from 20th place in the league in December to fifth, ensuring a place in the play offs for promotion to the Conference National . Barrow won the semi-final against Telford United 4–0 on aggregate, before beating Stalybridge Celtic in the playoff final, held at the Pirelli Stadium , Burton upon Trent . [3] After an initial strong start in the Conference National, which saw Barrow top the table during the first few weeks, the club began to struggle and found themselves just above the relegation zone by January 2009.

Barrow had more success in the FA Cup , beating Brentford 2-1 with goals from David Brown and Matt Henney in Round Two , their first victory over Football League opposition since their own elimination from the league in 1972. In the third round they were drawn an away tie against Middlesbrough , a Premier League team, [4] losing 2–1, with more than 7,000 Barrow fans travelling to Boro's Riverside Stadium to watch the match. Barrow managed to retain their place in the Conference, finishing twentieth. Having made several alterations to the squad during the summer, the club started its 2nd season in Blue Square Premier in August 2009. After a tough start, the club put together a good run, losing only once in 16 games, and reaching the FA Cup 3rd round, until they were beaten 3-0 by Premier League side Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on January 2, 2010.

[5] On February 13 2010, a mass brawl broke out on the pitch at the end of Barrow's home game against Kettering Town after a tackle from Kettering full-back James Jennings ended up putting Barrow striker Gregg Blundell in hospital. Players and Officials from both sides were both involved in the fracas, including Barrow's joint manager Dave Bayliss, and inquiries into the trouble are expected to follow. [6] On March 13 2010, a Gregg Blundell goal gave Barrow a 1-0 win away at Salisbury City in the 1st Leg of the FA Trophy Semi Final. Players As of 21 January 2010. Current squad Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. No. barrow a f c : definition of barrow a f c and synonyms of barrow a f c (English) Third colours Barrow Association Football Club is an English football club founded in 1901 based in the town of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria .

They currently play in the Conference National , the fifth tier of the English league system following play-off promotion from the Conference North at the end of the 2007–08 season. Barrow play their home games at Holker Street (sponsored for the 2011/12 season as the "Furness Building Society Stadium"), close to the town centre and approximately 0.5 km from Barrow Railway Station. The club spent over fifty years in the Football League between 1921 and 1972, achieving promotion to Division 3 by finishing 3rd in the Football League Fourth Division in the 1966/67 season. The highest league period in the club's history was to be short-lived and a return back to Division 4 came after relegation in 1969/70 season. Fortunes never improved and at the end of the 1971/72 season, after an unsuccessful bid for re-election, Barrow were voted out of the Football League, to be replaced by Hereford United of the Southern League .

Barrow have since spent their time in the top two levels of non-league football and have twice won non-league football's most prestigious cup competition, the FA Trophy – in 1990 and 2010, becoming the only club to have won the Trophy at both old and new Wembley Stadium. The club colours are blue and white, though the combination of these has varied over time, leading to their nickname "The Bluebirds". Attendances at the club's Holker Street ground vary – the home record of 16,874 was set against Swansea City in the FA Cup Third Round in 1954 – but during the 1990s and 2000s the average remained consistently between 800 and 1,500. Average attendance stood at 1,260 [1] during the 2011-12 season. The club won their second FA Trophy title on 8 May 2010 after beating Stevenage Borough 2–1 in the final at Wembley Stadium .

Contents History Early years Barrow were founded on 16 July 1901 at the old Drill Hall (later the Palais) in The Strand and played at initially at The Strawberry Ground, before moving to Ainslie Street [2] and then on to Little Park, Roose . [3] In 1903 Barrow was elected to Division Two of the Lancashire Combination league [4] and in 1908 the club won promotion to the first division. [3] In 1909, Barrow moved once more to Holker Street , the stadium that they still occupy today. The club remained in the Lancashire Combination for up to and after World War I , winning the league in the 1920–21 season. This victory preceded the formation of the Football League Third Division North in the 1921–1922 season, and Barrow became one of the league's founder members. [2] Football League years In their early years as a league club, Barrow were as notable for their absence of success as any achievements.

[2] [5] Their highest finish before World War II was 5th in the 1931–32 season .In 1933-34 season Barrow finished in 8th position. Barrow remained in the lowest tier of the Football League when football resumed after the war, and were founder members of Football League Division Four in 1958–1959 . [6] The 1950s saw greater success in the FA Cup , however. The club's record crowd of 16,874 watched Barrow draw 2–2 with Swansea City in the 1953–54 FA Cup . [4] A few years later this was followed by a Third Round tie in the 1958–59 competition against the then Football League champions Wolverhampton Wanderers at Holker Street. Wolves, captained by Billy Wright , won 4–2. The late 1960s finally saw Barrow win promotion, after a third placed finish under the management of Don McEvoy in the 1966–67 Fourth Division .

[7] McEvoy's successor, Colin Appleton , lead Barrow to their highest ever final league position of eighth in the Football League Third Division the following season. The club topped the Third Division league table for one day during the season, the highest position that they have ever held. During this period defender Brian Arrowsmith became the player to make the most Football League appearances for Barrow. [7] Barrow remained in the third flight of English football for another two seasons before returning to the basement in 1970. Financial difficulties combined with poor performances saw Barrow twice up for re-election in 1971 and 1972. On the second occasion, at the end of the 1971–72 season , they were voted out of the Football League to be replaced by Hereford United . [7] Though the reasons for losing the re-election were many, three features – Barrow's geographic isolation, Hereford United's FA Cup victory against Newcastle United and the decision of the Barrow board to introduce a speedway track around pitch at Holker Street, as a means of off-setting financial difficulties – have all been highlighted as contributing to Barrow's relegation.

[8] Barrow joined the Northern Premier League for the start of the 1972–73 season. [9] Barrow spent a total of 51 seasons in the Football League. [7] Return to Non-League Barrow's league position since their election to Division Three (North) in 1922 To gain access to the Northern Premier League , the club had to promise to remove the infamous speedway track from Holker Street, [10] though it remained until 1974. Barrow subsequently struggled in the Northern Premier with low financial resources. [11] However in 1979 Barrow were invited to join the new Alliance Premier League , the first national division in non-league football. In 1981 the club won the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy , its first success as a non-league club since winning the Lancashire Combination in 1921, but relegation followed in 1983. [12] Under manager Vic Halom Barrow won the Northern Premier League title the following season, but were relegated again by 1986.

Just before relegation, the club hired Ray Wilkie as manager, who went on to lead Barrow to their then most successful period in non-league football. [13] After a number of close misses, Barrow won promotion back to the renamed Vauxhall Conference in 1988–89 , finishing champions of the Northern Premier League . [13] Driven by the goals of Colin Cowperthwaite , the club's record appearance holder and record goalscorer, [14] Barrow achieved two respectable finishes in the Conference – 10th in 1989–1990 and 14th the season after. As well as league success, Wilkie had a number of successful cup runs. In 1988, Barrow reached the FA Trophy semi-final, losing to Enfield after a replay. The first leg at Holker Street attracted 6,002 supporters – still a non-league record for the club. The season after, Barrow reached the 1st round of the FA Cup, losing out 3–1 against Rotherham United .

In 1990, Barrow won their first major trophy as a non-league club, the FA Trophy . In the final they beat Leek Town at Wembley . Scoring the first and third goals was Kenny Gordon, a player who was not normally found on the score sheet, and who was playing his final game for his hometown club before emigrating to Australia. [15] Other notable members of the squad included Kenny Lowe , who was sold to Barnet for £40,000 after the final, then a club record fee. [16] The following season, benefiting from direct entry to the first round, Barrow made the third round of the FA Cup for the first time as a non-league club, losing 1–0 away to Third Division high fliers Bolton Wanderers . Unfortunately Wilkie was forced to step down during the 1991–1992 due to health problems. That season Barrow would be relegated back to the Northern Premier League, and also coincided with Cowperthwaite's retirement, after a fifteen year career with Barrow, finishing with 704 appearances and 282 goals.

[14] Wilkie died in December 1992, aged 56, [17] and the road outside Barrow's Holker Street ground was later named 'Wilike Road' in his honour. Turmoil of the 1990s Following Wilkie's departure and Barrow's subsequent relegation, the club had three mediocre seasons in the Northern Premier League. In February 1995, Barrow were purchased by Stephen Vaughan , a Scouse -boxing promoter and businessman. [18] Vaughan poured money into the club, building an all-seater stand and allowing the club to sign players of Conference-standard. [19] The Bluebirds achieved promotion to the Conference in 1997–98, under manager Owen Brown. [18] [19] Vaughan, who had connections with Liverpool drug-dealer Curtis Warren , [18] was soon being investigated for money laundering , [18] [19] [20] [21] although no charges were ever brought on the issue. [20] [22] Vaughan left the club at the end of 1998, withdrawing his financial support that had been keeping it afloat.

[18] It transpired that the club's main asset, its Holker Street ground, had been sold for £410,000 to Northern Improvements, a company Vaughn had an interest in. [19] [23] In January 1999, the club were the subject of a compulsory winding up order and a liquidator was appointed to run the club whilst trying to establish who the legal owner of the ground was. [18] [19] [23] A new members' company was formed with the aim of providing financial support to the club and with the long term intention of taking over the running of the football club. In the summer of 1999 the club were thrown out of the Football Conference, despite avoiding relegation . [23] After a long dispute, and thanks to the support of the Football Association , Barrow were allowed entrance into the Northern Premier League for the 1999–2000 season, almost a month after it had commenced.

[19] This reduced time in which to play their fixtures led to the scheduling of Barrow v Winsford United on 30 December 1999, recognised as the last professional or semi-professional game in the United Kingdom of the millennium . Barrow managed to survive in the Northern Premier League under manager Kenny Lowe , despite having to create an almost entirely new squad. The team improved over the following few years despite remaining in administration. They twice missed out narrowly on promotion back to the Conference, finishing second and third in the 2003–04 and 2004–05 seasons respectively. The legal disputes over the ownership of Holker Street were finally resolved in August 2002 and the new members company bought the stadium from the liquidator. [19] In 2003, the Football Association finally allowed the 'football membership' to be transferred to the new company. In April 2004, Barrow defeated local rivals Workington in a two-legged final in the UniBond Presidents (League) Cup. The game finished 6–6 on aggregate, Barrow winning on away goals.

Following their failure to gain promotion to the Conference in 2004–05 , Barrow became founder members of yet another division, this time the Conference North , which replaced the Northern Premier League at the level below the Conference National. Return to the Conference National During the following two seasons Barrow showed poor form in the league, narrowly escaping relegation at the end of 2006–07. Manager Lee Turnbull, who succeeded Lowe when the latter had to give up the job for work commitments, was sacked in 2005 and replaced by Phil Wilson. Compounding this was the jailing of defender James Cotterill for an assault committed on the pitch. In a first round FA Cup game Cotterill punched Bristol Rovers striker Sean Rigg , the incident being missed by the referee but caught by the Match of the Day cameras, resulting in Cotterill being the only English player in recent history to be jailed for an offence on the pitch. [24] On 12 November 2007, after two years in the job, Phil Wilson was dismissed as manager.

Although the sacking came two days after a good 1–1 draw in the FA Cup First Round against AFC Bournemouth , it was the club's continued poor league form which cost the manager his job. Barrow's first team affairs were shifted to players Paul Jones , David Bayliss and Darren Sheridan . Following a decent run of results, Bayliss and Sheridan were appointed as player-managers, whilst Jones became club captain. Bayliss and Sheridan led Barrow from 20th place in the league in December to fifth, ensuring a place in the play offs for promotion to the Conference National . Barrow won the semi-final against Telford United 4–0 on aggregate, before beating Stalybridge Celtic in the playoff final, held at the Pirelli Stadium , Burton upon Trent . [25] After an initial strong start in the Conference National, which saw Barrow top the table during the first few weeks, the club began to struggle and found themselves just above the relegation zone by January 2009.

Barrow had more success in the FA Cup , beating Brentford 2–1 with goals from David Brown and Matt Henney in Round Two , their first victory over Football League opposition since their own elimination from the league in 1972. In the third round they were drawn an away tie against Middlesbrough , a Premier League team, losing 2–1. [26] More than 7,000 Barrow fans travelled to Boro's Riverside Stadium , at the time the highest away attendance at the ground in the 14 years it had been open. [26] The cup run earned the club around £250,000, allowing investment in playing resources to be made. [27] Barrow managed to retain their place in the Conference, finishing twentieth. Having made several alterations to the squad during the summer, the club started its 2nd season in Blue Square Premier in August 2009.

After a tough start, the club put together a good run, losing only once in 16 games, and reaching the FA Cup 3rd round, where they were beaten 3–0 by Premier League side Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on January 2, 2010, watched, again, by 7,500 travelling supporters. [28] [29] On March 13, 2010, a Gregg Blundell goal gave Barrow a 1–0 win away at Salisbury City in the 1st Leg of the FA Trophy Semi Final. A week later a Jason Walker double secured a 2–1 victory in the 2nd Leg to send the Bluebirds to Wembley. Having secured their position in the Conference National in the last home match of the season, Barrow went on to win the 2010 FA Trophy Final against Stevenage Borough 2–1 at Wembley Stadium, thanks to a goal by Jason Walker during extra time. This made Barrow the first and only club to win the FA Trophy at both the old and new Wembley stadiums.

The 2010–11 season was less successful for the club, although they finished in 18th place and retained their Blue Square premier place with a 2–0 victory over Hayes and Yeading on the last day of the season. [30] Barrow failed to retain the FA Trophy due to a 2–3 defeat by Conference North side Guiseley . [31] The following season Barrow enjoyed more success in the league, and currently sit in mid-table. In February 2012, however, Darren Sheridan left the club by mutual consent following allegations made against him. [32] Dave Bayliss remains at the club as manager. Colours and badge Barrow's colours, are white and blue. A kit with blue shirts and white shorts was in use by 1912, [33] though Barrow's original colours were black and white stripes, in the style of Newcastle United . From 1939 to 1959, a blue shirt with a white 'v' was a common design.

[2] Since then, the style of Barrow's kit has varied, from predominantly blue through to predominantly white, with occasional use of stripes or hoops. [2] For the 2001–2002 season, Barrow played in black and white stripes, to celebrate the club's centenary year. [34] Although the away colours of Barrow have varied over time, the club's 2010 FA Trophy victory came wearing a yellow kit with blue trim. Barrow's second kit now is sky blue. Barrow's kit for the 2012-13 season will be manufactured by Puma. [35] The club's badge is based on the Barrow-in-Furness coat of arms. [2] The badge features a submarine , representing the town's shipbuilding industry , a red rose symbolising Lancashire and an image of a football . Copied from the town badge [2] is a rebus of a bee and an arrow , representing the club's name ("Bee-arrow"). Stadium Main article: Holker Street Holker Street Stadium at Dusk. Holker Street has been Barrow's ground since 1910.

[3] Prior to this it had hosted Hindpool Athletic football club, and before that was the site of a rubbish dump [36] The first game at the stadium was a 5–2 win for Barrow against Eccles Borough. The ground was gradually developed so that by the resumption of football after World War Two, it had four fully covered terraced stands [37] The record attendance came in 1954 when 16,784 fans watched an FA Cup match against Swansea City . Floodlights were erected in 1963, [7] and the ground hosted speedway meetings during the 1970s which involved the demolition of the 'Steelworks End', which had been damaged by fire, the re-positioning of the pitch and the removal of the front rows of terracing. [36] Following the removal of the speedway track, the pitch was moved back to its original orientation and a new leisure centre with squash courts was constructed.

[36] Under Stephen Vaughan's ownership, an new all-seater all-seater Main Stand with a capacity of around 1000 was built at the Wilkie Road side, [19] but since then only significant change to the ground has been the removal of an unsafe roof over the Holker Street end terraces. Described as having "a traditional, old fashioned feel", [36] the ground has three sides of terracing. The Main Stand is raised above the central portion of the pitch, with flat standing on either side. [38] The Popular Side now has the only covered terracing, opposite the Main Stand. [39] [40] Players Current squad As of 5 June 2012. [41] Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules . Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. No. Barrow (Away) - Preview - News - Lowestoft Town - Lowestoft Town FC Name – Furness Building Society Stadium Postcode – LA14 5UW Seating for – 1000 The team have played at the Furness Building Society Stadium (formerly Holker Street) since 1909.

The popular side is a covered terraced area and can be accessed via Holker Street. Behind the goals uncovered terraced areas are available with the Holker Street End used for home fans and the West Terrace normally reserved for away fans. The club colours are blue and white, though the combination of these has varied over time, leading to their nickname "The Bluebirds". Attendances at the club's ground vary with the home record of 16,874 being set against Swansea City in the FA Cup Third Round in 1954. During the 1990s and 2000s the average remained consistently between 800 and 1,500 with the club now pulling in home crowds around the 1,500 mark each week. Bar and Facilities: The Cross Bar is Barrow A.F.C.’s only official supporters bar, showing all the live games from both Sky Sports & BT on match days with visiting fans most welcome via access from Wilkie Road. In the main reception area there is access to the Club Shop and there are various fast food outlets situated around the ground, offering refreshments to suit everyone’s tastes.

Travel:- By train: Nearest Station is Barrow-in-Furness. On leaving the station, exit onto Holker Street. Turn right and the round is approximately ½ mile on the left. By Road: From the M6 Junction 36, travel along the A590 signposted Barrow. Follow A590 all the way to the outskirts of Barrow, entering via industrial route along Park Road towards the Town Centre. Pass the fire station on the right then take the next left into Wilkie Road. The ground is on the right hand side. Form:- Barrow (2nd) - Last five league result; WWWWD Leading (League) Scorer – Andy Cook (6) Lowestoft Town (13th) - Last five league results; LDLWL Leading (League) Scorer – Chris Henderson (4) Barrow sit second in the table and have played less games than most, with their nine games so far seeing them score twenty-two goals, concede Twelve and keeping two clean sheet in the process.

They have remained undefeated since their opening day defeat at Boston United and since then have register six victories in their last eight games, with the most impressive of those wins coming in a 4-0 home win against fancied Chorley. Lowestoft Town sit in a respectable thirteenth place after ten games; scoring eleven, conceding fifteen and keeping four clean sheets along the way. After a solid start to the season the players were visibly disappointed with their performance when coming off after the Hyde defeat and will be wanting to put that right but the trip to Barrow will be their toughest test for many a season. Club History:- BARROW AFC were formed in 1901. In 1903 Barrow were elected to Division Two of the Lancashire Combination and in 1908 the club won promotion to the First Division. In 1909 Barrow moved to Holker Street, the stadium that they still occupy today. The club remained in the Lancashire Combination up to and after World War I, winning the league in the 1920–21 season.

This victory preceded the formation of the Football League Third Division North in the 1921–22 season with Barrow became one of the league's founder members. The club spent over fifty years in the Football League between 1921 and 1972, achieving promotion to Division Three by finishing 3rd in the Football League Fourth Division in the 1966–67 season. The highest league period in the club's history was to be short-lived and a return to Division Four came after relegation in the 1969–70 season. Fortunes never improved and at the end of the 1971–72 season, after an unsuccessful bid for re-election, Barrow were voted out of the Football League to be replaced by Hereford United of the Southern League. Barrow have since spent their time in the top two levels of non-league football and have twice won non-league football's most prestigious cup competition, the FA Trophy – in 1990 and 2010, becoming the only club to have won the Trophy at both the old and new Wembley Stadium.

The club suffered turmoil during the 1990's before returning to the Conference National for the 2008-09 season. After an initial strong start in the Conference National, which saw Barrow top the table during the first few weeks, the club began to struggle and found themselves just above the relegation zone by January 2009. Barrow had more success in the FA Cup, beating Brentford 2–1 in Round Two and then facing an away tie against Middlesbrough in the Round Three. They lost 2-1 to the Premier League outfit but the cup run earned the club around £250,000, allowing investment in playing resources to be made. Barrow also managed to retain their place in the Conference, finishing twentieth that season. Having made several alterations to the squad during the summer, the club started its 2nd season in the Conference National in August 2009. After a tough start, the club put together a good run, losing only once in 16 games and reaching the FA Cup 3rd round, where they were beaten 3–0 by Premier League side Sunderland at the Stadium of Light watched by 7500 travelling supporters.

Having secured their position in the Conference National in the last home match of that season, Barrow went on to win the 2010 FA Trophy Final against Stevenage Borough 2–1 at Wembley Stadium. This made Barrow the first and only club to win the FA Trophy at both the old and new Wembley stadiums. The 2010–11 season was less successful for the club, although they finished in 18th place and retained their Conference National place with a 2–0 victory over Hayes and Yeading on the last day of the season. The 2011-12 season Barrow enjoyed more success in the league, eventually finishing in 13th position. However in February 2012, Darren Sheridan left the club by mutual consent with Dave Bayliss remained at the club as manager. The following season, 2012–13, Barrow were relegated from the Conference National after losing 2–1 at Cambridge United.

In November 2013, Dave Bayliss parted company with Barrow via mutual consent and after a long wait without a manager, Barrow appointed former caretaker manager Darren Edmondson in December 2013. Their 2013-14 season finished with a mid-table position of eleventh place and with a new owner taking over in recent months, Barrow have started the 2014-15 season in great style. Barrow AFC v Lowestoft Town Furness Building Society Stadium

Question: Which football club replaced Barrow in the football league after the 1971-1972 season?
Answer: HEREFORD