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Post by stefano on Jun 18, 2020 7:51:09 GMT
I am pleased to see Barrow promoted back in to the Football League. With everybody seemingly intent at the moment on righting the wrongs of the past it seems to be somehow appropriate.
After 51 years as a Football League club Barrow was ignominously booted out of the league in 1972 after failing to be re-elected to the old 4th Division.
This was only 4 years after finishing 8th in the old 3rd Division just 4 places behind Torquay United who had enjoyed one of their best and most memorable seasons.
There was a massive sense of injustice at the time, as Barrow had finished well ahead of bottom club Crewe Alexandra and Stockport County.
Well done Barrow nice to see you back....
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Post by steve61 on Jun 18, 2020 8:16:20 GMT
Totally agree with you, stefano. In those days, the bottom 4 teams had to apply for re-election and although Barrow didn't finish bottom, two things went against them. Firstly, they had been up before the re-election board more than most teams, and secondly, Hereford United had applied to join the League and they had just humbled the mightly Newcastle United in that infamous FA Cup game, so the League wanted to admit them and Barrow happened to be the fall guy.
Yes, it's great to see them back, Carlisle United now have a Cumbrian derby to play and we don't have a 700 mile round trip next season!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2020 13:25:59 GMT
I’m sure the words of both Stefano and Steve reflect the sentiments of many. And seeing a club from something of a football outpost get some success, possibly resonates a bit more than another promotion for a big city club, although Barrow do draw on the personnel and facilities that the Lancashire cities can provide. As Steve intimates, the greater desire was to satisfy the campaign that demanded that Hereford be granted Football League status, rather than any satisfaction in dispatching Barrow, but the feeling remained that Barrow had been hard done by. I’m sure youngsters today will retain a nostalgic preference to see names like Stockport County or Torquay United make a return from Non League soccer, although losing an established name is far less of a deal these days with automatic relegation, whereas the trapdoor opening up for a familiar name in the early 1970’s came as a real shock. So onwards, and for the moment upwards for Barrow FC. The side that took their place back in 1972 are faring less well at present, although with Josh Gowling confirmed as part of the management set up for next season, funerals permitting, he might steer them on to better days. It’s fun and games for The Bulls at present. With the Club chairman (ironically nominated by their Supporters Trust) complaining that the HUST won’t talk to the club. Here’s a link for anyone interested: Sound Of Silence - Bulls v Mute Militants |
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Post by rjdgull on Jun 18, 2020 18:57:25 GMT
I see Exeter played the first leg of their play off semi-final and went down by a solitary goal via a late freekick. Game on there for the second leg at St James Park. Nine substitutions on the bench for Exeter and still no sign of Gary Warren. Is he injured? - link |
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Post by rjdgull on Jun 19, 2020 20:50:08 GMT
link - Macclesfield deducted 2 points so looks like we will be playing Stevenage for the first time since the Old Trafford play off final next season.
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Post by plainmoorpete on Jun 19, 2020 23:08:22 GMT
I am pleased to see Barrow promoted back in to the Football League. With everybody seemingly intent at the moment on righting the wrongs of the past it seems to be somehow appropriate. . Well Barrow might feel a wrong has been righted (personally I dont), but I expect Stevenage must be feeling mighty miffed right now. First denied promotion to the Football League because their ground wasn't up to scratch and now relegated because Macclesfield got away with a proverbial slap on the wrist. |
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Post by rjdgull on Jun 20, 2020 8:03:00 GMT
Not too much sympathy from me I am afraid. In a season where there is only one relegation place due to Bury being chucked out of the league and another club, Macclesfield having been deducted 13 points and still finishing bottom suggests they can’t complain too much. They knew the rules about the ground and having won at Old Trafford, karma has been repaid in full.
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Post by stefano on Jun 20, 2020 9:12:48 GMT
Well Barrow might feel a wrong has been righted (personally I dont), but I expect Stevenage must be feeling mighty miffed right now. First denied promotion to the Football League because their ground wasn't up to scratch and now relegated because Macclesfield got away with a proverbial slap on the wrist. There really is no comparison between the two. When Stevenage finished top of the old Conference they did not get promoted because their ground was not of a suitable standard to play in the Football League. That was something Stevenage knew and could have taken action to rectify it but chose not to. This season they are relegated because they have finished bottom. Whilst I would agree that it is not as satisfactory as it could have been had all 46 games been played, that was not possible due to the virus pandemic so as we were actually quite a long way into the season when it was forced to finish it is reasonable to finalise the positions on the basis of points gained so far. As Rob pointed out Macclesfield got quite a big overall punishment but that was not enough to put them below the inept Stevenage. Apart from the complete fairness of Stevenage not being promoted in the 1990's, and being relegated this season, let us not forget that Stevenage is the club which tried to blackmail Torquay United when Torquay were sitting bottom of the Football League. Fortunately the Torquay officials involved had the good sense to record the telephone conversation. The situation with Barrow is completely different. There the season had been completed with all 46 games completed. Barrow finished 22nd out of 24 clubs in Division 4 well ahead of bottom club Crewe Alexandra and 23rd place club Stockport County. If there was a push to elect Hereford United into the Football League, then it should have been bottom club Crewe Alexandra booted out. The unfairness of the re-election system has now been rectified and it is now fair with the bottom club (normally the bottom two) in the Football League being relegated.......so goodbye Stevenage  |
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Post by plainmoorpete on Jun 20, 2020 11:03:53 GMT
In a season where there is only one relegation place due to Bury being chucked out of the league and another club, Macclesfield having been deducted 13 points and still finishing bottom suggests they can’t complain too much. Seeing it put this way (and Stefano makes the same point) I have to agree with you and therefore withdraw my remarks alluding to Stevenage's misfortune which I agree they are mostly responsible for themselves. Still don't give a flying frig about Barrow though. |
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Post by rjdgull on Jun 20, 2020 14:13:59 GMT
To be fair, I actually agree with you that “Stevenage must be feeling mightily miffed right now.” I would be as a Stevenage fan but they are not going to get too much sympathy elsewhere...
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Post by rjdgull on Jun 22, 2020 16:31:01 GMT
I see Exeter played the first leg of their play off semi-final and went down by a solitary goal via a late freekick. Game on there for the second leg at St James Park. Nine substitutions on the bench for Exeter and still no sign of Gary Warren. Is he injured? - linkExeter score early on in their home leg to bring the aggregate score to 1-1. |
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Post by rjdgull on Jun 22, 2020 17:34:28 GMT
Exeter score again to lead 2-1 now on aggregate
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Post by rjdgull on Jun 22, 2020 18:19:48 GMT
Exeter score again to lead 2-1 now on aggregate Colchester equalised so into extra time they go... |
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Post by plainmoorpete on Jun 22, 2020 18:49:58 GMT
Many congratulations to Exeter City and in particular Ryan Bowman on their fine win.
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Post by rjdgull on Jun 22, 2020 20:22:27 GMT
Many congratulations to Exeter City and in particular Ryan Bowman on their fine win. Agreed, Well done to them, pity no fans in the stadium to enjoy It. Wembley next Monday for them. |
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