Welcome

[xerxes]

Name?
Reg Clucas

How did you get into Barrow AFC?
My Dad was a regular supporter but stopped going when we moved out of the town in the 1950s. However we used to return regularly to visit relations, and on one such visit he took my brother and me to our first game.

What was your first match?
4th division game against Hartlepools, 16th January 1965. Bob Tait scored in the 1st minute, and the score was 2-2 after 11 minutes. We eventually won 4-2, with Bob Knox(2) and Dave Worthington getting the other goals.

How many times have you seen the team play?
Hundreds. I've got them all recorded in a book but can't be bothered to count. I rarely get into double figures for a season these days. Now being semi-retired I am hoping to get to a few more in future.

Do you travel to away games?
Yes, in fact I see more away games than home games in recent years due to living 100 miles from Barrow.

What does Barrow AFC mean to you?
Quite a lot, but not as much as it used to. I was devastated in 1972 when we lost our League place, it felt like the end of the world. I've since come to realise there are more important things in life.

Who is your current and all time fave player?
Current - Rutherford. All time - Jim Mulholland

[Tomnoddy]

Name ?

Jeff Airey

How did you get into Barrow AFC ?

Through my Cousin. We were just a couple of young kids at a loose end in the town centre one Saturday when he suggested going to Holker St.

What was your first match ?

Barrow vs Frickley Athletic, Sat Sept 2nd 1978. We won 1-0 with a Rob Thomas penalty !

How many times have you seen the team play ?

Since that first match I've probably missed on average 2 home games a season, so it'll be a fair old few now.

Best match ever seen ?

There have been a good number of great afternoons and nights most of which have already been mentioned. But I'm going for the first really memorable game I witnessed - Barrow 4, Goole Town 3. October 1983.



Do you travel to away games ?

Very rarely now unfortunately. But I did do a reasonable amount of travelling from the mid eighties to the early nineties and visited some memorable places - Ferryhill Athletic anyone ? !

What does Barrow AFC mean to you ?

A great deal. I am Barrovian born and bred so I suppose the football is a passionate and visual way of displaying pride in your home town. On a more personal level I got involved helping the sadly missed Tony Jackman with his fundraising activities a number of years ago and also helped out with a couple of Testimonials. This built a bond with me to the club which will mean I'll keep pottering to Holker St for as long as I possibly can.

Who is your current and all time fave player ?

Currently I think Shez, when on form, is head and shoulders above. As for all time fave, there are many candidates but the winner has to be Neil Campbell......no sorry not Neil Campbell, I meant the Legend that is Cowps !

[oscar1]

Name :
Oscar
How did you get into Barrow afc ?
I was mad about football,played all the time.Then my Dad took me to Holker St,in 1964,& that was it I was hooked & so began a 47 year love affair with the club.
First Game ;
Vs Chester at Holker St,it was 0-0 & freezing cold.
How many times have you seen the club play ?
No idea really,1000,1500,dont know.
Best game ever seen ?
I have seen many many great games but cannot choose the "ultimate"one.
Do you go to away matches ?
I used to in the 80s/90s,but not now,though if the club start running coaches this coming season I may well start again.
What does Barrow AFC mean to you ?
As mentioned earlier,from my first game in 1964,began a 47 year,& counting,love affair with the club.
Current Favourite Player ?
Craig Rutherford,love his energy & industry.
All time Favourite Player ?
Jimmy Mulholland,great signing from Greenock Morton,lovely player lovely goals,legend in my eyes.

[nottinghamblue]

Name?
Andy McKinnon.

How did you get into Barrow AFC?
It is all John MacKay's fault!! We met at college in the early '70s and we became great friends. I was introduced to Holker Street soon after AFC were dumped out of the Football League. In 1990, I took my daughter to Wembley and we met John and Reay there. On the way home, my daughter asked if we could go to some away games next season. So we did. Maybe she is the one I should thank?

What was your first match?
Not sure about this, but it may have been an evening match versus Wukkie. I remember that the floodlights went out half way through. Can't remember the result.

How many times have you seen the team play?
Hundreds. I've averaged about 20 games per season over the last 20 years, so I guess in the region of 400.

What is the best game you have seen?
The 5-3 win at Boston was amazing, and I still don't think I've seen a Barrow team play as well as they did at Wembley in 1990. The second Wembley win was obviously very special, but I think the best game I saw was the win at Kidderminster when we avoided relegation, only to be demoted for non-football reasons. We had won a thriller at Stevenage a couple of weeks before as well.

Do you travel to away games?
Yes. Most of the games I see are away games, though I like to get to Holker Street 4 or 5 times per season. Living in Nottingham makes it quite easy to pull in most away games, though it was a lot easier when we were in the Conference North. It's great to visit new places, though, and revisit old favourites. I'm lucky in that I usually take friends with me and we share the petrol costs, otherwise I wouldn't get to so many games.

What does Barrow AFC mean to you?
Even though I've never had the pleasure of living in (or anywhere near) Barrow, this Club is a big part of my life. It is a wonderful Club and it's the people concerned who make it wonderful - the Board, managers and players, and especially the fans. I've made lots of friends over the years through following Barrow AFC. It is a great privilege to be Chairman of the National Supporters' Club and I'm now in my third term of office. It's a great talking point at social gatherings as well! People just look at me sympathetically and say, "Why?!"

Who is your current and all-time fave player?
My current fave is Mike Pearson, who NEVER gives less than 100%. I only saw Cowps a few times, so I'm going for Eddie Johnston.

[Mike Croasdell]

Name Michael David Croasdell
How did you get into Barrow AFC ?
Through the boys turnstyle on Holker Street in 1958 (Cost was 6d or 2.5p in today's money)

What was your first match?
As a young kid my brother's Christmas present to me was to take me toI watch Barrow v Carlisle Utd on a snow covered pitch on Boxing Day 195??????

How many times have you seen the team play??
Maths is not my strongest subject so I will say many times since 1958

What is the best game you have ever seen?
Seeing my team beats Stevenage at Wembley 2010

Do you travel to awy games?
Not nowadays

What does Barrow AFC mean to you?
It's my club, playing in the top Non league division yet not tainted by the evil Sky orientated greed that is the Premiership.

Who is your current and all time favourite player?
Current player is Mike Pearson. Has to be the Flookburgh lad Cowps for the all time favourite for his talent and his loyalty. Of course over 53 years there are also many to many to mention.

[Paul L (Wrexham)]

Name: Paul Lindsay

How did you get into :AFC? Born in Barrow and spent my formative years there. My old grandad took me along with him to my first game in 1980


What was your first match? It was an FA cup qualifying game against Boldon CA (from the Wearside League). We won 8-1!

How many times have you seen the team play? Not sure, probably only a couple of hundred over 30 years but ive lived in Wrexham for most of that time so I dont get too many opportunities mainly due to family and financial reasons but holding my hands up I do follow Wrexham as well having started to watch them as a child when I moved there.

Do you travel to away games? I probably see more away than home games due to geographical reasons. Ive seen Barrow play on about 40 different grounds.

What does Barrow AFC mean to you? Barrow's my home town and Holker Street is where I saw my first live football. Its my first love. Simple as that.

Who is your curent and all time fave player? Last season it was Eddy, very good player at this level, I rated him at Wrexham a few years ago and was delighted when he signed for Barrow. I'll reserve judgement on the current squad until its complete. All time favourite has obviously got to be Lord Cowperthwaite of Flookburgh, I was so impressed I even set up a facebook appreciation page!

[ant]

Tony Coulton. Sammy morgan (then director later chairman) was a family friend.Got me a season ticket when i was about 8.Hooked ever since. [b What was your first match? 1965ish.Cant remember against who.Too long ago. How many times have you seen the team play? Too many to recall.Season tickets i bought every season also included Barrow reserve games.(lancashire league i think it was?) went to all reserve games cos we saw top players from old 1st division playing in there reserve teams getting fit from injury.(reserve team games were also included in season ticket. Do you travel to away games? havnt been for yonks.And i mean yonks. What does Barrow AFC mean to you? [bWell im still attending.say no more.] Who is your curent and all time fave player? Current would be Bolland cos i like the underdog.Past would be my childhood hero Roy McCarthy. as you can see ive had a few beers and cocked up on presentation.But what the..... :flag:ps. Best ever match. like a few have mentioned.V Southampton 3rd round FA cup 1967.2-2.Think we lost replay 3-1 at the dell.Worst/best memories? had been a bad lad and was sent to bed-room.(was 11 i think)We were playing Crystal palace that monday/tuesday night in league cup 2nd round.Had to be there at all costs.So i climbed out of bed room window onto shed and made way to hS.Had no pocket money so just stood outside ground and listened to crowd.Was an almighty roar as we scored.Waited for crowd to come out of ground.Was told we won 1-0.Lovaly feeling.nipped back home.up onto shed back into bedroom..haha...those were the days.

[LDBF]

Name?

Stephen C. Evans - LDBF (Long Distance Barrow Fan)

How did you get into Barrow AFC?

Just moved up to Barrow (where my Mam was born) from South Wales, local team just been promoted to the 3rd, big crowds, loud

What was your first match?

Not sure, think it was the first game of the 1967/68 season, got the bus from Salthouse Road where a young lad said his dad was Barrow’s goalie said he would show me how to get to the ground

How many times have you seen the team play?

Lots, but not enough

Do you travel to away games?

Last away game was to Wembley, costs me a couple thousand quid, bit too expensive, to far to travel regularly. When I was in the Army used to go to a lot of Barrow’s away games in the South, places like Bath, Cheltenham, High Wycombe etc. etc

What does Barrow AFC mean to you?

First thing I look at every morning, read all of the forum, rarely make any comments. Listen to the games on RC every Saturday on the net. Barrow AFC is a very important part of my life

Who is your curent and all time fave player?

Current, don’t really have a favourite – whoever is Man o’the Match, all time, Fred Else

[carnivalofshrews]

Name: Ken Alderson

How did you get into Barrow AFC?:

Dad used to take me to Holker Street in the early/mid-Sixties. Mind you, I also went to the rugby (mam was a supporter). The football really took a grip in the mid-Sixties when we actually achieved some measure of success. I can still close my eyes and recall images from games through the years: Brian Pilkington on the left touchline blasting in a 20-yard drive and the excitement on my dad's face when it hit the net; Mick Hartland carrying on long after the whistle had gone and his look of astonishment when he finally heard one of the referee's blasts of the whistle - fair play to the ref, he was laughing his socks off - as were his team-mates; David Storf's debut and a run at speed down the line on the popular side; a trademark Roy McCarthy head-down surge down the right flank, running through - rather than round - three defenders; a seemingly effortless Kenny Lowe 35-yard dink from the left-hand side of the centre circle to land at the sprinting left winger's feet, without him having to break stride; Colin Cowperthwaite taking the ball with his back to the goal, swivel and volley into the left-hand side of the net... and something that I'd rather forget but think I can still see - the words in the Evening Mail's stop-press column 'BARROW OUT'.

What was your first match?: I think it was Hartlepool but I'm probably wrong (in my defence, I was 6 or so).


How many times have you seen the team play?: I haven't a clue - most home games between '65 and '75, including those depressing early non-league games when there was no such thing as a crowd and the atmosphere was eerie, almost as if the few spectators there were shell-shocked. About ten a season thereafter until 1997 - haven't been back to Barrow since.

Do you travel to away games?: Very rarely. Usually only York in the league - I'll be there on the Tuesday night.

What does Barrow AFC mean to you?: It never goes away - still listen to the radio commentary; still browse the forum; still argue with York fans in the local pub.

Who is your current and all time fave player?: I don't know the current lot well enough to offer an opinion, but all-time? Roy McCarthy (with Jimmy Mulholland, Kenny Lowe and George Smith close behind).

[walney rock]

Name? Danny platt or Platty


how did you get into Barrow afc? I was bored one tuesday night so i rang my mate to see if he fancied going. he said yes & and the rest is history


what was your first match? my first game was against accrington stanley in August 95 (we lost 3 - 0)


Best match ever seen? home to boston 98 winning to go up & nuneaton at home in the cup winning 4 - 3 hell of a game & and of course wembley may 8th 2010 WINNERS AT WEMBLEY YEEEEEEAAAAAAHHHH


How many times have you seen them play? I aint even going to try and work that one out! lmfao


do you travel to away game? I do go to away games but not as many as i would like due to working alot of weekends


What does Barrow afc mean to you? Thats easy EVERYTHING


Who is you fav current and all time player? mike pearson as he just keeps getting better n better/ paul jones - great skipper, great player, great lad = legend

[ant]

PS added to my previous post.

[barrowfan_chris]

Name? Christopher Altree

How did you get into Barrow AFC? To be honest i can't remember the early games i remeber going with my dad but i was more interested in kicking the empty vimto can around than watching games.I remember going to games like the dover one i was stood in the crossbar end was gutted when we lost on penalties. Started going more regular about 2002 going to most of the home games.

What was your first match? No idea early 90's.

How many times have you seen the team play? alot.

Do you travel to away games? Never used too only went to FA cup games like Oldham away and Shrewsbury. League games like Lancaster, Workington and a few Manchester teams like Stalybridge. Last season i missed two away games, i actually prefer a long away trip to a home match these days.Being in the army means i will probably be on average at more away games than home.

What does Barrow AFC mean to you? Its become massive part of my life have made some new friends and love traveling away. I look at this website more than any other on the web and hate missing games can't stand listening on the radio. The weekend in London was one of the best in my life along with the Newcastle stop over before the Sunderland match.

Who is your curent and all time fave player? Current = i don't have one to be hones. All time = Eddie Johnston or Paul Jones.

[Suziscotland]

Name?
Suzi

How did you get into Barrow AFC?
my dad has supported barrow all his life and took me along to a match as soon as he could.

What was your first match?
i don't remember but i was probably a toddler at the Holker Street End sat on the wall.

How many times have you seen the team play?
Too many to count!

Do you travel to away games?
I get to Gateshead, Darlington and anywhere else that's a reasonable drive from Edinburgh, where i live nowadays. Even homes games are away ones these days I grew up in the back seat of our car driving to away games all over the country.

What does Barrow AFC mean to you?
Home, community, hope. The small town team that punches well above it's weight and threatens top sides and lower ones alike. Bluebirds and the Holker End. Always having to wait to the very last game of the season to ensure safety or promotion. The FA Trophy wins and the FA Cup runs, proving our ability to upset even the most together of opponents. Friendly supporters, great northern welcome to all my friends from Edinburgh who have visited Holker Street on matchday. There's just no better team and no better supporters in the whole country if you like action, drama and a good fight for points in a friendly environment.

Who is your curent and all time fave player?
Has to be either Neil Doherty or Paul Jones for their commitment to the Club and the local community. Walker comes in a close third. Edwards would have had a mention but for his desertion on financial grounds to the Cods.

[ZiggerZag]

Name?
Darren Riley

How did you get into Barrow AFC?
By going to matches and getting hooked. It took a while though.

What was your first match?
It was in the early 80's when I was probably about 12 or so. I've no idea who it was against, I just know it was a night match. It was a bit of a one off and I didn't start going with any regularity till the 1985-86 season when I left school and went straight onto the dole as one of Maggies millions. At least I got unemployment benefit and had a few bob so spent some of it to watch the soccer.

How many times have you seen the team play?
I would estimate it somewhere around the 500 mark. Possibly a few more. Moving down here severely curtailed things for a while.

What is the best game you have seen?
I never saw the famous Nuneaton comeback or the Boston away of the late 90's so it's difficult to say. I do remember the last minute victory over Northwich where Eddie Johnston scored as pretty decent although I'm not sure it was a good game but it had an excellent ending. The two Wembley visits are special for obvious reasons.

Do you travel to away games?
Yes, but as I live 330 miles from Barrow I have to travel to all games with Ebbsfleet now being the most 'local'. I enjoy the travelling though, it's all part of the experience.

What does Barrow AFC mean to you?
I plan my life around the fixture list and use my Annual Leave to visit Barrow to take in as many games as possible so following my team is the single most important thing in my life. I dread to think what I spend on train fares, diesel, admission and food and drink whilst en-route. Never mind shirts and the odd old programme.

Who is your current and all-time fave player?
Last year it was Paul Edwards. Not sure who is going to stand out from this seasons team. From the past I was a huge fan of John Brady. We only signed him at the end of his career but he was phenomenal. The only other player who came close was Neil Morton. We haven't really had a what I would call a 'star' player for a while.

[patrickstarfish]

Name?
Patrick Fisher

How did you get into Barrow AFC?
My father used to go to every game.

What was your first match?
Cant remember, i know it was in 1956, however.

How many times have you seen the team play?
Too many.

Do you travel to away games?
About 4-6 a season these days.

What does Barrow AFC mean to you?
A club i have followed all my life and would give alot for.

Who is your curent and all time fave player?
Cowps, no current player atm.