Holker Street (History of...)

[TheAwayEnd]

Hi Bluebirds... I am new to this forum, although I do not support Barrow, I come in peace. I do, however, have friends in Barrow and was over there last August.

I have joined this forum as I am writing about the history of football grounds/stadiums, and am concentrating my research on Barrow AFC for now. I have found basic history on the internet for Holker Street, but is there any further information anyone can share.

Ideally, I am looking for ground redevelopment in the past, and is there any planned in the future? Also, who, and when were Barrow's first FL opponents in 1921?


btw... I am from Yorkshire and wish you all the best of luck at Barnsley tomorrow. They are poor and believe that Barrow stand a very good chance.

[Richard Ingham]

August 27th 1921 Barrow v Stockport County a 0-2 defeat with attendance given as 10000.

[TheAwayEnd]

August 27th 1921 Barrow v Stockport County a 0-2 defeat with attendance given as 10000.

Thank you. Is there any information on how the club, and by whom was formed?

[Jonty]

Its all out there fella- most of its on Wiki

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holker_Street

Also worth researching the dual use of the ground as a Speedway stadium in the early 70’s which had a significant impact on the stadium as a tidy 4 sided lower league ground that could hold 15000+, with a stand behind the goal the “steelworks end” of the ground being demolished and terraces being pushed back to accommodate a speedway track- many cite this as being the downfall of the club as a football league club- the history of the speedway is all out there on Google. Also some good pictures of the ground in the 60’s pre-speedway and later during and post speedway and the construction of the “crossbar” building (still there today and still with a nice trowelled artex finished render).

[Jonty]

There are also later developments like the installation of floodlights in the 60’s- classic GEC pylons visible on the skyline- sadly now gone and replaced with the modern pole type- functional yes, brighter yes, but nowhere near the same visual aesthetic.

[TheAwayEnd]

Its all out there fella- most of its on Wiki

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holker_Street

Also worth researching the dual use of the ground as a Speedway stadium in the early 70’s which had a significant impact on the stadium as a tidy 4 sided lower league ground that could hold 15000+, with a stand behind the goal the “steelworks end” of the ground being demolished and terraces being pushed back to accommodate a speedway track- many cite this as being the downfall of the club as a football league club- the history of the speedway is all out there on Google. Also some good pictures of the ground in the 60’s pre-speedway and later during and post speedway and the construction of the “crossbar” building (still there today and still with a nice trowelled artex finished render).

Wiki is ok but not seen as a reliable form of resource as there can be many unproven, or incorrect information given.

Same as https://thebeautifulhistory.wordpress.com/clubs/barrow - in my research thus far on different clubs, I have found information proven to be incorrect. As an example, on Norwich, they say that they played in Blackburn shirts in their early days. It is true that they played in blue and white halves but it isn't true that they originated from Blackburn.

My research, I hope, is going to be in a book, so would like it to be as factual as possible.

[Dwayne Beresford]

Club Historian, KHayman, should help you - an absolute fountain of knowledge and I don’t think many others will know more about the club’s development over the decades than him.

[Jonty]

Anything pre war/ pre 50’s is always going to be gaps/ not many around to fill the gaps. There is a historian- Phil Yelland who is probably the guru on the history of the club / ground. Could be worthwhile contacting the club directly for more details. There is a short history on the official site which I’m sure you may have seen. Have to remember we have been a lower league / non league side for all of our history so media spotlight and published historical stuff on the ground is limited to what you have probably seen already. Depends on how much detail you want to go into.

[spirit of 1990]

As well as Phil Yelland who Jonty mentions there is also Darren Gardner who has produced a few books on the club in the past.
I’ll see if I still have his e-mail address and tell him about this thread.

[TheAwayEnd]

As well as Phil Yelland who Jonty mentions there is also Darren Gardner who has produced a few books on the club in the past.
I’ll see if I still have his e-mail address and tell him about this thread.

Thank you. He can email me directly at theawayend@aol.co.uk, if he doesn't wish to post

[Hadrian]

If you can get hold of a copy of 'Barrow AFC, The First 100 Years' by Darren Gardner, Phil Yelland, Tony McWilliams, 2001 (it occasionally appears on ebay) then that will give some help, not only about Holker Street but also our previous grounds - The Strawberry Ground, Ainslie Street and Little Park.

There have also been previous threads within these forums that give useful information. Using the Search facility within the site will help to locate these.

[TheAwayEnd]

I do have an ethos of sharing information. It's ok asking for it, but I believe that I should share information that I find, be it vital or not.

I was searching through online newspapers and came across several reports from Barrow's time at Strawberry Grounds. All the reports are from the Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser and dated accordingly from when the article was published.

9th September 1902

1902 09 09 Tue Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser.PNG (613.9 KiB) Viewed 7310 times

7th September 1903

1903 09 07 Mon Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser.PNG (153.03 KiB) Viewed 7310 times

21st September 1903

1903 09 21 Mon Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser.PNG (189.47 KiB) Viewed 7310 times

[TheAwayEnd]

26th December 1903

1903 12 26 Sat Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser.PNG (110.41 KiB) Viewed 7309 times

[MisterPleasant]

Wow! All Barrow victories even against 'Citeh'. The Strawberry ground still exists and is home to Furness RUFC. If you put 'Strawberry ground' into the search facility here you'll find some interesting stuff/discussions about where we played before finally landing at Holker Street.

[walneyroad]

The club started at the strawberry ground which is now the home of Furness Rugby Union Club. Steam trams took supporters to the ground, and they were so overloaded as they went up the incline which leads to Hawcoat Lane junction, they had to get off and push. They then got back on and went to the ground.