Pride of the Soar
About the club
Barrow Town FC is the football club of Barrow upon Soar, based at Riverside Park.
Our story
History of Barrow Town Football Club
Football in Barrow upon Soar has its origins in the late 19th century.
The team, known as the Barrow Rising Stars, were based at The Railway Inn (now the Soar bridge), and played their football near the Mill. Members of the Loughborough and District League, they were formidable opposition as their record shows: winners of Division 1 in 1901/2 and 1902/3 and also Division 2 Champions in 1911/12. Cup success included the Bass Charity Cup, Rolleston Cup, and the County Cup. In one particular season four trophies came their way.
The early years of the 20th century saw the birth of the Old Boys (now Barrow Town). This team also played down Mill Lane, and comprised mainly boys from the village grammar school.
The Old Boys were members of the Leicester Mutual League and for a while were based at Cotes Road, before moving to North Street and joining the Loughborough Alliance. After the Second World War, The Old Boys reformed in 1947 and entered the Leicestershire Senior League with immediate impact. They reached the semi-final of the Senior Cup but were beaten by Whitwick Colliery. The competition also included Leicester City Reserves.
In 1968/69 The Old Boys finished runners-up in Division 2 and were promoted to what was then Division 1. They were also winners of the Loughborough Charity Cup and the Sileby Cup. Soon after, Barrow moved to their current headquarters at Riverside Park under the new title of Barrow Town.
The success of 68/69 was emulated by the team of 92/93. After winning Division One in 1992/93, the club were promoted to the Premier Division as Champions.
The 94/95 season was a landmark in Barrow's history with a number of records being broken: highest ever placings for the 1st and 2nd teams, Ian Hunter's haul of 61 league and cup goals, and 119 goals scored, with an 18 game unbeaten run-in, culminating in being pipped to the Premiership title by one point. The club grew in stature and remained in the Premier League until 2008, finishing as runners-up in 1994–95, 2002–03, 2005–06 and 2007–08 and winning the League Cup in 2002–03 and the Loughborough Charity Cup again in 1996–97, 1998–99, 2000–01 and 2006–07.
In 2008 they became founder members of the East Midlands Counties League, where they remained until the disbandment of the league at the end of the 2020/21 season. In 2011–12 they reached the third qualifying round of the FA Cup and in 2012–13 they finished as league runners-up. The village of Barrow has had a thriving junior football set up for over 25 years. At the end of the 2017/18 season the Barrow Town and Barrow Juniors committees merged in order to form one club.
The 2019/20 season saw the ‘Riversiders’ under new management for the first time in five years. Former manager Liam East moved on to United Counties League side St Andrews, taking his management and a large entourage of First Team and Reserve Team players, leaving new manager Kris Nurse to rebuild from scratch. After one year at the helm Kris and his team moved on. The loss of the management team combined with the Covid crisis left the club with significant challenges both on and off the field of play. Wade Ball and Jordan Holmes were appointed First Team Player Managers. Wade and Jordan steadied the ship and we looked forward to the 2021/22 season with renewed confidence and optimism. Season 2021/22 also saw Barrow Town joining the United Counties First Division following the disbandment of the East Midlands Counties League.
Where we are heading
Our mission & vision
Vision statement
To become a 21st century community asset built around men’s, women’s, boys’ and girls’ football. With an inclusive Junior section, and an intermediate section aligned to both the junior section ethos and progression to senior football. With men’s and women’s senior teams playing at the highest sustainable level.
Mission statement
In order for the Football Club to achieve the sporting vision of “playing senior football at the highest sustainable level”, the club needs to successfully implement its wider vision and business plan. A vibrant junior football set up, and a marketable asset (club house and facilities), together with strategic partners (sponsors) will bring in the regular income that will allow the club to plan and budget accordingly and ultimately to deliver all elements of the business plan.
Community
Mental health awareness
One of the stated aims of Barrow Town Football Club is to place itself at the ‘Heart of the Local Community’.
As part of that outreach the club got in touch with the mental health charity Mind to see if we could do anything to help raise awareness of mental health issues.
Whilst still at an early stage this relationship has proved to be mutually beneficial. Our football coaches tend to work with the same group of young people from the age of 7 through to 17/18. The national Mind charity have provided Football Association-approved, online mental health awareness training for all of our coaches, equipping them with vital ‘signposting’ information that can help support young people in troubled times.
Locally Mind are in the process of setting up new services within our region and we have been able to provide them with meeting space and the opportunity to hold awareness events at the Club.
“Whilst Mind have a significant presence nationally, we are only just beginning to develop services and support across the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland region. We are delighted to be working so closely with Barrow Town FC who are helping us to reach out to the local community and raise awareness of mental health, reducing the associated stigma and moving closer to achieving our national objective of ensuring that everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect.”
The club have also held a number of matches and fund raising events in support of local good causes.
Equality
Kick it out!
Kick It Out is English football’s equality and inclusion organisation.
Working throughout the football, educational and community sectors to challenge discrimination, encourage inclusive practices and campaign for positive change, Kick It Out is at the heart of the fight against discrimination for everyone who plays, watches or works in football.
A small independent charity, the ‘Let’s Kick Racism Out of Football’ campaign was established in 1993 in response to widespread calls from clubs, players and fans to tackle racist attitudes existing within the game. Kick It Out was then established as a body in 1997 as it widened out its objectives to cover all aspects of discrimination, inequality and exclusion.
Internationally, Kick It Out has close links to FARE Network, and has been cited as an example of good practice by the Council of Europe, the European Commission, European parliamentarians and the British Council.
Challenging discrimination in football is at the heart of what we do as a club. We all have a role to play in challenging negative stereotypes and displays of racism. Barrow Town FC will continue to fight for equality in football.
Learn more about Kick It Out