Barrow AFC.net

By the sounds of it, Brian Arrowsmith is more than deserving, it does need to be over the whole history. I'd like pictures of these up in the corporate, with with a bit of blurb underneath as to who and why, in the same style and alongside prints of the support, ground etc we had last year. Then people would get a real sense of Barrow A.F.C.

I get why they can't do that in the x bar and John Duffin's a good compromise but one the worst things about going on courses in the corporate rooms during the week was how bare the walls were. Just a bit of variety and colour..

Never forget the heritage of Barrow AFC.

Don’t think calling a stand after a player just because he is in younger fans memory is the way to go. That accolade imo has to be earned and if its somebody from the past then so be it. Brian Arrowsmith would be my choice. If things go to plan over the next few years we may have our first statue, Paul Casson.

I said in my leader that this would cause debate and argument!!!

Leaving aside particular names for a moment, the posts so far represent two possible channels to pursue, and those channels seem to be as follows:

1. The names would have to be those whom only current supporters recognise - - - OR - - -
2. Names across our entire history would be considered

It’s a thorny issue for sure, and fraught with difficulties; there could have been great servants of the club going back to, say, the 1920’s for example, whom unfortunately nobody today knows about. So, identifying worthy figures is an imperfect science. However, in accepting the flaws, I do feel strongly that we would have to do our imperfect best in picking out the characters that merit recognition and so I feel that option 1 above would be an entirely blind pathway to go down and would throw a blanket over great figures from our past. After all, how many current Middlesbrough fans would have seen Wilf Mannion or George Hardwick play, yet their statues adorned the entrance at the Riverside; put it another way, there would be a few young Sunderland fans who might have asked who that Bob Stokoe was that they saw a statue of. Dare I say it, there might have been a small number of young Barrow and Stevenage fans who spotted a statue outside Wembley and wondered who that Bobby Moore bloke was.

What I’m saying is, I think it is criminal to forget the past just because it was not directly experienced. That’s why we hear pitiful tales today in which youngsters think Churchill is an insurance dog. History teaches us lessons for the future, for better or for worse, and also offers perspective, balance and appreciation for any particular cause or organisation (in this case the whole story and meaning of Barrow AFC). I know it’s a matter of personal opinion, but for me to only consider what is known to current supporters is to create a legacy of ignorance about our past. I hate to have to remind folks about this but - - - deep breath - - - Barrow AFC has known far better days and had far better players in the past, and it is in fact Paul Casson’s historic understanding of this fact that drives him to want to take us back to that level. What we are seeing currently happening is a situation wherein knowledge of our past history is motivating our present strategy towards our future tomorrow! Forget our past and some of its great characters??? Forget it!!! It has to be option 2 above for me!!!

The other thing I would say at this stage is that voting on such issues would be ridiculous, given that very few current supporters would even think of names such as Brian Arrowsmith. Voting might even produce more hands up for the likes of Danny L. Rowe than Brian, simply because of “who is known”. In which case, please let me die now. Decisions on such matters would have to take a form other than a poll. Perhaps a few wise sages could form a committee who could consider all candidates from as far back in the mists of time as it is possible to get right up to Andy Burns. However they would have to be wise, sane, balanced and totally impartial. And there’s mission impossible for you - - - .

pjdaly wrote:I said in my leader that this would cause debate and argument!!!

Leaving aside particular names for a moment, the posts so far represent two possible channels to pursue, and those channels seem to be as follows:

1. The names would have to be those whom only current supporters recognise - - - OR - - -
2. Names across our entire history would be considered

Disagree. The first option has only been mentioned by 1 poster, and I think very few people (if any) would agree with him.

Leo wrote:

pjdaly wrote:I said in my leader that this would cause debate and argument!!!

Leaving aside particular names for a moment, the posts so far represent two possible channels to pursue, and those channels seem to be as follows:

1. The names would have to be those whom only current supporters recognise - - - OR - - -
2. Names across our entire history would be considered

This is way before my time but the half back line of Lee, Forbes & Summerbee was drummed into me at an early age.
All the really old timers who ever saw them play argue that there has never been/will never be a better combination of players who should deserve a mention.

Paul Jones has to be worth a shout. He stuck with us in that fateful spell under V*****n and then returned to captain us to an unlikely promotion back to the BSP. He also ticks the "familiar name" box that a couple mentioned. Legend is a word that gets thrown around too much in football these days but I would definitely categorise Jones as a legend at Barrow.

I quite like Holker Street End, Steelworks End, Popular Side etc. Homage can be paid to former greats in other ways.

Matt wrote:I quite like Holker Street End, Steelworks End, Popular Side etc. Homage can be paid to former greats in other ways.

You want to name a stand after John Woods?!?! Well I suppose he is older than the ground itself...

I like the idea of having in The Crossbar something like they have hanging around under the stands at Lord's Cricket ground in London. Loads of historical photos and facts/figures from certain games/main achievements of those players or teams.
We should celebrate our history.

frankums wrote:

Matt wrote:I quite like Holker Street End, Steelworks End, Popular Side etc. Homage can be paid to former greats in other ways.

You want to name a stand after John Woods?!?! Well I suppose he is older than the ground itself...

Only older than the Crossbar, the Popular Side roof, the stand, the ..... OK, fair comment Frank.

Agree here that he and Cowps and Fred Else are not ignored. Brians OG was the best I have ever seen. [lol]

Agree with PJdaly & Shaun,

Cover our entire History, If we could find and enhance some photo's of all our previous grounds BAFC called home, Including Holker St packed to the rafters (ie) the old FA Cup & FA Trophy games & noted players & their achievements for Barrow whatever the era really should be a no brainer IMHO :flag:

mickmike wilson wrote:If we could find and enhance some photo's of all our previous grounds BAFC called home, Including Holker St packed to the rafters (ie) the old FA Cup & FA Trophy games & noted players & their achievements for Barrow whatever the era really should be a no brainer IMHO

The old pictures of bygone teams etc have been handed over to Paul & Jamie a couple of weeks ago Mike & are getting re-mounted & framed, the ones we had left (probably about fifteen) will be going in the away directors corridor. These are basically awards & the lesser pictures.....the ones that were left, but hanging them in there is better than leaving them hidden away.

My first house was lived in by Arra think it was owned by barrow afc 2 Bristol st on Walney cost me £2,200 in 1970. Two bedrooms, no central heating, single coal fire, outside toilet which froze the rocks off in winter