Best ever on our patch

[pjdaly]

Not only Kennedy, but of course we had (for one match only) another scorer of a winning goal in a European Cup Final. That was Peter Withe for Aston Villa in - - - whenever it was, 1982 or something. Withe played his one game for us in, I think it was 70-71.

[pjdaly]

If we extend the definition of "our patch" to include the Furness Rovers pitch (because it was "our patch", our training pitch until the 1970's) then an even more intriguing consideration might be to ask who was the best player to ever play on there. Well, I know Emlyn Hughes played on there because I recall watching him play, albeit in a training match, with the Barrow and Barrow reserves squad in about April 1970, perhaps early May. Hughes set off shortly afterwards to go to Mexico as part of the England World Cup squad in 1970.

However, I would say the most iconic figure to ever set foot on that training pitch was Dixie Dean, scorer of 60 League goals in a season for Everton, which I am sure is an all-time record.

There was some sort of charity event in the mid-1970's and a match was held on the training pitch. I can't even recall what the cause was. I do however seem to think it was Dixie Dean who started the match just by kicking off the first ball and then let them get on with it. Maybe someone else can confirm this. I do recall that there were a few top players featuring, mostly retired Everton players. Certainly I remember Derek Temple played; he was the scorer of the winning goal for Everton in the 1966 FA Cup final when Everton came from 2 down to win 3-2 in one of the best FA Cup finals ever.

[Barrowabc]

Well I'll go with Roy Keane was a class act and still is

[Messy]

Did Bryan Robson ever play here?Now he was a player

[NUFFSAID]

Glenn Murray for me , we didn't have him long, but boy he could score a goal . Billy Kenny and Mike Marsh had their moments too.

[Barrowabc]

Did Bryan Robson ever play here?Now he was a player

Yes he did was in same team as Keane,Dublin ,Gillespie,butt,Neville thay beat us 1 - 0 in 93

[Messy]

Did Bryan Robson ever play here?Now he was a player

Yes he did was in same team as Keane,Dublin ,Gillespie,butt,Neville thay beat us 1 - 0 in 93

. Cheers abc,was it a friendly? that's a hell of a lineup-strongest ever to play here?anyone

[John Very Little]

Not as good as some others mentioned in the thread but didn't Stan Collymore play here whilst he was with Stafford?

[Mike Croasdell]

I believe we played Newcastle in a friendly about 1956. i remember my Dad telling me about the great Jackie Milburn before the game, but I can't remember whether he played.

I was at that match and I think Jackie Milburn did play and I also a player called Len White? on the wing who was very nifty but my memory is not good so I hope someone else can confirm this.

I remember Wor Jackie playing a friendly (Although the year for me was around 1958, correct me if I am wrong) Strange I remember the Newcastle keeper that day was Chris Harker.

[Barrowabc]

Yes he did was in same team as Keane,Dublin ,Gillespie,butt,Neville thay beat us 1 - 0 in 93

. Cheers abc,was it a friendly? that's a hell of a lineup-strongest ever to play here?anyone

I'd say one of them and it was a friendly if I recall good game as doc had a hell of a game for us :flag:

[Kirks]

Neville Southall, Everton and Wales, arguably the best keeper during the mid 80's, played against us for Doncaster in the the 97-99ish season. He very kindly showed the HE end his bum cheeks after we all sang "Ole Neville is a dustman", to him.

[dcarradus]

Best player in barrow shirt mike marsh,billy kenny best opposition player to grace our patch bryan robson,roy keane in my lifetime

[onionbag]

I remember denis tuart scoring for man city in a testimonial match at hs,must have been in the early eighties cos i was just a bairn at the time. if i remember rightly think the game ended 2-2 can't remember who's testimonial it was for,wonder if anyone on here remembers the game and what was the attendance. seemed like a good crowd.

[Wintergreen]

The game v City was a fund raiser for ex City and Barrow stalwart Billy McAdams. Ex Northern Ireland international McAdams was unemployed and ill when a neighbour approached Barrow and City with the idea of doing something to help their ex-player in his time of need and so the game was arranged via the Man City Former Players Association. Nat Lofthouse was also instrumental in arranging the game, a pretty competitive affair which did indeed end 2-2. The link with Bolton legend Lofthouse is a bit hazy but the two men must have been friends as ironically McAdam was brought to Bolton as a replacement for 'Lion of Vienna' Lofthouse.

Barrow legend Billy Gilmour proudly showed us the stud marks on his chest in the Bluebird afterwards courtesy of England centre half Keith Curle. Billy McAdams died in 2002 - Rest in Peace Bill - one of the Holker Street greats and loyal servant for the club.

[Gasser]

Not the best player by any means but holker street gets a honourable mention in Steve Claridges autobiography about his time as a young player with Weymouth. The prose was something about him standing on the halfway line minding his own business whilst Barrow had a corner when he was suddenly drop kicked around the midriff by a barrow defender. Barry Knowles would be my guess.