Dave Martin RIP

[Ste Story]

Very sad to hear and report of the passing of Barrow AFC legend and life patron Dave Martin who died last night following a period of ill health.

For many years Dave would, along with his own season ticket, buy a handful of child season tickets out of his own pocket and invite kids to watch who otherwise may not have a chance to go. If you happened to be anywhere between Ormsgill and Holker Street on a Saturday afternoon, chances are you'd see Dave walking along with a handful of kids in tow. Like the pied piper he would accumulate kids as he went, before taking his seat in the O of the stand and letting the kids spread out around the ground. After the game he would then collect them and chaperone them on his trademark slow but steady walk back to the estate, dispatching them back home safe and sound at the end of the day.

Dozens of people have Dave to thank (or curse!) for their love of BAFC, non more so than myself whom Dave introduced to the football when I was just a kid. I believe he was also involved in coaching local football, and in later years would turn up to the community centre with a ball just to let the kids have a game.

An absolute gentleman with a love for football and an encyclopaedic knowledge of BAFC, he will be very missed and remembered by many.

RIP.

[Holkerbird]

How sad to read this news.
He was a truly kind person and up until a few years ago he was giving kids at the traffic lights money to get into the match.
I think he organised football matches with scratch teams of kids from the Ormsgill estate too. Keeping them occupied and off the streets.
He saw us get back into the football league but sadly not to see a match at Holker Street.
RIP Dave.

[barrowaberdeen]

Very sad news that. RIP Dave

[russell_anderson]

A great shock to me as Dave was my best friend since we were around 15 years old and, although I left Barrow 50 years ago, we have been in touch on a weekly basis since.

[Richard Ingham]

RIP Dave.

Very sad to read that Ste, but thanks for posting.

[mickmike wilson]

I played for Dave’s Ormsgill side as a kid & remember getting changed in a freezing shed/garage next to the Ormsgill pub then trotting over the road to a pitch which has long gone now, I also got into BAFC under Dave’s influence, Didn’t he used to wear a long Mac & sport a Rupert the bear type checked scarf

RIP Dave a true stalwart of the local footy scene.

[Hadrian]

Sad news. May he rest in peace!

A well-written tribute.

[ruins]

Had the privilege of knowing him from ormsgill u12 up to u14 and what a gent he was. I remember he used to pay out of his own pocket for the lights up the pen in ormsgill. Always that character and for some reason always seems older than he was. A genuinely great guy who deserves credit not just for his effort in bafc but his local community. A true gent of a man. Rip Dave.

[Trust Raffle]

RIP Dave, a true stalwart of Barrow AFC and to the local community, will be sadly missed.

Russ Rawley

[dodger]

Reiterate what’s been said. Not sure we’ll see the likes of his character again in this day and age. RIP

[Bennyfromormsgill]

How sad i was to hear of this news, i played for ormsgill boys for both u14s and u16s, and i would never underestimate how kind dave was towards us lads, if we struggled with boots or anything like that he would not hesitate to go down town and buy us anything. he was a true gentleman. as covid is still with us i am saddened that i will not be able to go to his funeral but i will be thinking of him on the day RIP DAVE

[russell_anderson]

How sad i was to hear of this news, i played for ormsgill boys for both u14s and u16s, and i would never underestimate how kind dave was towards us lads, if we struggled with boots or anything like that he would not hesitate to go down town and buy us anything. he was a true gentleman. as covid is still with us i am saddened that i will not be able to go to his funeral but i will be thinking of him on the day RIP DAVE

Do you know when and where the funeral will take place?

[Man and Boy]

First got to know Dave in my Ormsgill days, when we were both lads. Haven’t seen him for a year or three now though. A nice lad to know. Always polite and unassuming. RIP Dave.

[Barrowabc]

A true gentleman in every way, r i p dave,

[Bennyfromormsgill]

How sad i was to hear of this news, i played for ormsgill boys for both u14s and u16s, and i would never underestimate how kind dave was towards us lads, if we struggled with boots or anything like that he would not hesitate to go down town and buy us anything. he was a true gentleman. as covid is still with us i am saddened that i will not be able to go to his funeral but i will be thinking of him on the day RIP DAVE

Do you know when and where the funeral will take place?

unfortunately not but when i find out i will post on here