Exeter City face a crucial clash at SJP on Saturday, when Barrow visit the Park for the final scheduled league match of the 20/21 season.
The Grecians need the three points and for aone of the teams above to drop points to force their way into the play-off places, whilst Barrow recently secured a second season in League Two.
So, here is the lowdown of the Club by the Cumbrian Coast.
- Founded: 1901
- Nicknames: The Bluebirds
- Honours: National League (2019/20), National League North (2014/15), FA Trophy (1989/90, 2009/10)
- Home Kit: JOMA Blue shirt with white trim, blue shorts and white socks
- Away Kit: JOMA Yellow and black shirt, black shorts, yellow socks
- Form: LWLLL (21st in League Two)
Barrow was home to a number of junior football clubs at the start of the twentieth century before a public meeting was called to form a senior side in the town. Almost 800 people turned up to establish Barrow AFC. A team was put together of seasoned professionals and were elected to the Lancashire League for the 1901/02 season.
On the Cumbrian coast lies Barrow-in-Furness and is home to the world-famous ship and submarine construction port. Ottoman Sub the ‘Abdul Hamid’ was built in the town in 1886 and was the first submarine to fire a live torpedo underwater. Most of the Royal Navy’s ships since the Second World War have been built in Barrow. The Devonshire Dock Hall (the construction facility) is the tallest building in Cumbria.
In 1921, Barrow AFC were briefly elected as original members of the Third Division North though it would not be until 1958 until the Bluebird’s return to League football and Division 4. In 1967 Barrow were promoted into the Third Tier until relegation beckoned in 1970. Two years later the Cumbrian’s dropped out of the Football League.
The trophy cabinet was still being filled despite their stint in Non-league though. Twice Barrow won the FA Trophy, in 1990 and most recently in 2010 when they came from behind to beat Stevenage 2-1 at the new Wembley. Last season Barrow returned to the fourth tier as National League Champions in Ian Evatt’s second season in charge.
There have been few fireworks this season for the Bluebirds but Barrow have clinched safety and will be in League Two again next season, having secured an impressive 49 points in their first season back in the Football League.
The Manager
Rob Kelly
Michael Jolley’s departure from Holker Street has led to Rob Kelly’s promotion to Caretaker boss. Again.
The 56-year-old joined the Bluebirds as David Dunn’s assistant at the start of the season. After the former Blackburn legends sacking Kelly took charge, until Michael Jolley was appointed, and then Kelly reprised his role in February until the end of the season.
Kelly made his managerial name at boyhood Leicester City after retiring in the early 00’s. Ironically his stint at the Walkers [now King Power] Stadium was his only permanent appointment, with only caretaker jobs since.
He has been a high-profile assistant at a number of Championship clubs, prior to joining Barrow. He has been the right-hand man to managers such as Uwe Rosler, Alan Irvine, and former England boss Steve McClaren.
Rob was sucessful in keeping Barrow in the Football League at the first attempt.
The Stadium
- Name: Progression Solicitors Stadium
- Capacity: 5,045
- Year opened: 1909
- Record Attendance: 16,874 (vs Swansea Town, FA Cup Third Round 1954)
- Address: Wilkie Road, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA14 5UW
Though the official address is Wilkie Road; Holker Street Stadium has been home to Barrow AFC since 1909. Previously the Bluebirds played at The Strawberry Ground (1901), Ainsley Street (1905), and Little Park in nearby Roose (1909).
The first Football League game played at Holker Street was against Stockport County in 1921, where 9,750 budding spectators were in attendance. The capacity record came in 1954 when over 16,000 fans watched Barrow’s 2-2 draw with Swansea Town (* Now City) in the FA Cup.
In 2019 the ground was renamed the Progressions Solicitors Stadium for sponsorship reasons.
One to Watch
Josh Kay
Contributing to ten goals this season (6G, 4A), Josh Kay has been integral to Barrow’s first year back in League Two. A man of the match performance against Mansfield proved the danger the 24-year-old possesses to opposition defences.
As Barrow’s designated set-piece taker, his delivery could prove vital if Barrow are going to trouble the City defence.
Head-to-Head
The Grecians first meeting with Barrow since 1972 ended in defeat as goals from Patrick Brough and Scott Quigley earned Barrow a 2-1 win.
- Exeter City wins: 5
- Draws: 8
- Barrow wins: 6
Recent encounters
Barrow AFC 2 Exeter City 1 | League Two | Progression Solicitors Stadium | April 13, 2021
Exeter City fell to defeat as Barrow took the points at the Progressions Solicitors Stadium. Pierce Sweeney found the net with all but the last kick of the game, but the damage was already done after Patrick Brough and Scott Quigley’s goals for the hosts.
Exeter City 7 Barrow AFC 1 | Division Four | St James Park | April 29, 1972
John Neale scored his first goal for Exeter City as the Bluebird’s were relegated from the Football League.
Barrow AFC 0 Exeter City 0 | Division Four | Holker Street | March 20, 1972
Johnny Newman’s Grecian’s played out a goalless draw in the Grecians last visit to the Cumbrian coast.
Exeter City 4 Barrow AFC 2 | Division Four | St James Park | March 13 1971
Barry Rowan, Joe Gadston, Fred Binney and Alan Banks were all on the scoresheet for Exeter in a goal-fest at SJP.
And Finally
The late great Tony Morrin played for both Barrow and Exeter City in his career. Morrin appeared for Barrow 113 times before his move to St James Park where he enjoyed six wonderful years, playing alongside other great names such as Jimmy Giles and Alan Banks.
In his time at Exeter, his most poignant fixture may well have been when Tony featured for City against Barrow in his former club’s final Football League game in 1972.
Aged 74, Tony sadly passed away on 15th December 2020 and will be firmly in our thoughts when the two sides meet again for the first time in almost 50 years on Tuesday.
How to Watch
Sadly fans can't be at the match but you can get the next best thing by purchasing a match pass at the cost of just £10 in the UK. The stream includes BBC Radio Devon commentary, score overlay and replays.
Match passes will be able to purchase from Tuesday, May 4. Please click here to purchase.