- Going to Chester during the 1963-64 season for a
Second Round FA Cup tie. Chester were in the top four of
the old Fourth Division, and Barrow were rock bottom at
the time. We were taunted by the Chester fans, well, 'we'
being me and the other Barrow supporter who had bothered
to make the trip! Barrow scored early in the game, and
then both sides set up camp in the Barrow goalmouth for
the rest of the game before Barrow scored again in the
last minute to win 2-0. Happy days. I won't mention the
Third Round! [We travelled to Swansea and were beaten
4-1. Ed.]
- Seeing Bobby Knox, an outfield player, but playing in
goal because our 'keeper was injured, save a Boxing Day
penalty from the League's leading scorer, the legendary
Alex Jeffery of Doncaster Rovers. Rovers were top of the
old Fourth Division at the time, and yes, you can guess
whereabouts Barrow were!
- The day we drew with (and should have beaten)
Southampton in the Third Round of the FA Cup. This is now
written in legend, but perhaps it overshadows the Second
Round tie with Tranmere Rovers on a December snowbound
day, who were neck and neck with Barrow for promotion
from the old Fourth Division. It was a gripping end to
end traditional blood and guts cup tie, but Barrow
prevailed 2-1.
- The day we beat Crystal Palace 1-0 in the Second
Round of the old League Cup in front of over 9,000 fans.
Palace were top of what is now the First Division at that
time.
- The Third Round tie away to Sheffield Wednesday, and
the biggest crowd I've seen Barrow play before; 21,829.
We lost 3-1 to a star-studded Wednesday team but had our
fair share of the action and were not disgraced. The main
thing I remember is the Barrow supporters getting
unnecessary abuse from the Owls 'fans'.
- Beating Brentford 1-0 in front of 8,000 at Holker St
to gain promotion to the old Third Division, and yes, I
was one of those who ran on the pitch at the end, but I
can't see myself on that famous Evening Mail
photograph.
- Kenny Lowe's goal against Colne Dynamoes early in the
1990 FA Trophy semi-final second leg, a peach of a shot
from about forty yards over the 'keeper, which put the
tie beyond doubt.
- Going to Bolton for the Third Round FA Cup game in
1991. Unfortunately, I went with a work colleague (who
was a Bolton fan) who got the tickets in the stand with
the main Bolton mob. Again I couldn't believe the abuse
(see my note about Sheffield Wednesday) Barrow received,
Barrow were a non-League team after all and Bolton were
top of the old Third Division. Anyway, the history books
will show Barrow losing 1-0, but what a superb
performance they put in. Unfortunately it was
overshadowed by Woking winning 4-2 at West Brom on the
same day, and that's all the papers were interested
in!
- Beating Southport 4-0 at Haig Avenue in a Conference
game on Boxing Day 1998 in the rain, wind and hail.
John Dale
Originally appeared in the Holker St Newsletter no.471 - 6
October 1999
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