A DAY ON THE FURNESS PENINSULAR-ROLL OUT THE BARROW

It has been quite a day in the far North-west of England! I graced Grange-over-Sands with my presence. I could have visited Kendal Town FC or Ambleside had I not been drawn to an intriguing match at AFC Barrow (in Furness) and Aldershot Town FC (in Hampshire). A Non-League fixture with home team Barrow in 14th place and visitors, the Shots grovelling in 22nd place out of 24, clearly in the drop zone! The coach driver (I knew him from days if old when Farnham Coaches used to ship our kids around the south of England!) told me that the journey for the spectators had been around 6 hours with stops. Dedication!

I don't expect for one minute that any Old Carthusians are reading this, but if you are and you happened to do the formidable Lakes Field Trip at an annual Easter, then you might have done time in Vickers' (now BAE) shipyard; an industrial visit all important to A Level geographers. Note the submarine!

So North meets South and in this encounter at the Holker Street stadium, overlooked by Cumbrian mountains and windmills, Aldershot lost a tough battle 2-1. There were well constructed goals, with AFC Barrow taking the lead after 22 minutes, the visitors replied after 59 and then at the death Barrow snatched the winner by an own goal (deflection) in 90 + 7 minutes. We could see it coming.

1500 or so watched the game including a coach load of Hampshire boys, a few of whom let their club down by some unruly behaviour. It was a good experience and I spent most of the game amongst the visitors and next to the Aldershot captain's dad, a charming man. Aldershot are in the danger zone and Barrow unlikely to reach play off status.

What a good experience! Tea at £1 a mug, entry too expensive for a "concession" and £3 to transfer to the seated area which I decline.Both teams of course have been in the Football League and are unlikely to regain their status; shame but there it is.

Today Blackpool FC rose from the ashed of the Oyston family to be run by their own supporters at last. Their "seaside" derby v Southend Utd ended 2-2, so I guess the Tangerines were happy with that.
I liked Barrow and in the town was this statue...a footballer (not Rugby League). It is of course Emlyn Hughes, a tribute to that lovely man. Born in Barrow, he starred for Liverpool and England as you know. he died at 57 years old. Far too young!

Mentioning Old Carthusians...if you are vaguely interested in the genuine amateur footballer, then this band of Old Boys have made their way into the AFA (do you know who this association is?) Cup Final once again beating the favourites on penalties. Look it up!