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That was really good, that.  Interesting about the tactics.  No wonder some on here were suggesting Evatt as a candidate for our new manager not long ago.  I remember him from playing for Blackpool, but didn't realise he was in IH's team.

Barrow in the Football League - that would be astonishing really.  I've googled their ground and it has all of 1,000 seats and is currently not up to scratch according to EFL rules, although it sounds like they'll get around that.

If they make it, it sounds like it'll be deserved.  I do notice though, that the conference is definitely missing a dominant team this year.

I remember they were voted out of the FL in 1972 and Hereford were voted in. This was very unfair and based purely on the selfish geography by clubs who did not like travelling all the way to Barrow.

We poached their manager Don McEvoy in 1967 after he had taken Barrow up to the old 3rd Div but it never worked out at BP and we went into freefall until McMenemy came.

I remember seeing Don McEvoy playing for a Grimsby Town X1 against a Showbiz X1, (may have included Des O'Conner and Craig Douglas), one Sunday afternoon at King George stadium.
Good times and all fun with proceeds for charity.

Sorry,

Des O'Connor.

Getting mixed up with one of my all time Grimsby favourites, D-ck Conner.

Quoted from TheRonRaffertyFanClub

I remember they were voted out of the FL in 1972 and Hereford were voted in. This was very unfair and based purely on the selfish geography by clubs who did not like travelling all the way to Barrow.

We poached their manager Don McEvoy in 1967 after he had taken Barrow up to the old 3rd Div but it never worked out at BP and we went into freefall until McMenemy came.

Same thing happened with Gateshead and Workington as well. How Football League chairmen had such power to vote out such clubs over a plate of sarnies was really astonishing, but viewed as somewhat democratic at the time.

Peterborough, Oxford (who came in the year after Accrington Stanley folded), Cambridge and Hereford, Wimbledon and Wigan were the six clubs who were voted in by this system in the sixties and seventies until it was abandoned. Wigan, I suppose, had fairly good travel access, but all the other five clubs show a distinct bias to clubs from the south and a nice day out instead of the six northern clubs they replaced.

Quoted from TheRonRaffertyFanClub

I remember they were voted out of the FL in 1972 and Hereford were voted in. This was very unfair and based purely on the selfish geography by clubs who did not like travelling all the way to Barrow.

We poached their manager Don McEvoy in 1967 after he had taken Barrow up to the old 3rd Div but it never worked out at BP and we went into freefall until McMenemy came.

Crikes...I remember being at a Barrow game around 71/72 before they were voted out. We won 2-0 if memory serves me right...or does it?

Quoted from jock dock tower

Same thing happened with Gateshead and Workington as well. How Football League chairmen had such power to vote out such clubs over a plate of sarnies was really astonishing, but viewed as somewhat democratic at the time.

Peterborough, Oxford (who came in the year after Accrington Stanley folded), Cambridge and Hereford, Wimbledon and Wigan were the six clubs who were voted in by this system in the sixties and seventies until it was abandoned. Wigan, I suppose, had fairly good travel access, but all the other five clubs show a distinct bias to clubs from the south and a nice day out instead of the six northern clubs they replaced.

Bradford PA went out in 1970 but they were broke. I saw Town play there in that last year and I think there were about 30 of us Town fans (and not many more from Bradford!). They sold off their players and we picked up a decent left winger for very little whose name escapes me. He was never as good for Town and didn't stay long at BP though.

I felt sorry for the northern clubs. We had some connections with Workington with Charlie Wright and Bill Shankly and, apart from McEvoy, Colin Appleton also managed Barrow. Relegation could have happened sooner though because it wasn't until the 4th Div came in and the reorganisation of the non-league pyramid that re-election became a straight choice. Until then any number of non-league clubs could be vying for a place and that split the vote which was why it took Peterborough so long to make it despite being the top non-league side for year after year.

Quoted from jock dock tower

Same thing happened with Gateshead and Workington as well. How Football League chairmen had such power to vote out such clubs over a plate of sarnies was really astonishing, but viewed as somewhat democratic at the time.

Peterborough, Oxford (who came in the year after Accrington Stanley folded), Cambridge and Hereford, Wimbledon and Wigan were the six clubs who were voted in by this system in the sixties and seventies until it was abandoned. Wigan, I suppose, had fairly good travel access, but all the other five clubs show a distinct bias to clubs from the south and a nice day out instead of the six northern clubs they replaced.

I’d say the opposite was the case. That the old system which had club chairmen electing new members and voting out old ones preserved a northern bias in the league. It may not have helped outliers like Barrow and Workington, and didn’t Gateshead go bust? Ditto Accy.

Since automatic promotion was introduced there have been more southern clubs than northern ones, reflecting the southwards drift of the population and economy.

If you look at the National League North there are plenty of ex League towns represented (either the same club or a Phoenix club from the same town). The National League South just has the resurrected Maidstone Utd. The National League is a bit more balanced.

Quoted from KingstonMariner

I’d say the opposite was the case. That the old system which had club chairmen electing new members and voting out old ones preserved a northern bias in the league. It may not have helped outliers like Barrow and Workington, and didn’t Gateshead go bust? Ditto Accy.

Since automatic promotion was introduced there have been more southern clubs than northern ones, reflecting the southwards drift of the population and economy.

If you look at the National League North there are plenty of ex League towns represented (either the same club or a Phoenix club from the same town). The National League South just has the resurrected Maidstone Utd. The National League is a bit more balanced.

The old system only helped northern clubs because it was not a one v one vote until non-league reorganised. So the sitting tenant club was always likely to get a majority whether northern or southern. I am sure there were years when half a dozen non league sides were up for election and they did not need to have won their league to do it.

68/69 season we were re-elected after finishing 2nd bottom

Quoted from carrot top

68/69 season we were re-elected after finishing 2nd bottom

Didn't we used to give the opposition (and referee) some fish when they visited? Might have helped sweeten the deal ;)

Evatt's nailed on to be next Blackpool manager surely?

Quoted from TheRonRaffertyFanClub

Bradford PA went out in 1970 but they were broke. I saw Town play there in that last year and I think there were about 30 of us Town fans (and not many more from Bradford!). They sold off their players and we picked up a decent left winger for very little whose name escapes me. He was never as good for Town and didn't stay long at BP though.

I felt sorry for the northern clubs. We had some connections with Workington with Charlie Wright and Bill Shankly and, apart from McEvoy, Colin Appleton also managed Barrow. Relegation could have happened sooner though because it wasn't until the 4th Div came in and the reorganisation of the non-league pyramid that re-election became a straight choice. Until then any number of non-league clubs could be vying for a place and that split the vote which was why it took Peterborough so long to make it despite being the top non-league side for year after year.

Only player from BPA I can remember who came to Town was Bobby Ham, but that was in 1964. The northern teams were certainly at the disadvantage of the club chairmen.

Looking at the Fourth Division that season, five northern teams and one Welsh team. occupied the bottom six places with Oldham, Workington, Newport, Darlington and Hartleppol. The thing that connected all of them was their reliance on being heavily industrialised. Brentford, Aldershot, Colchester, Southend and Exeter were the only real southern English teams in the league.

Thankfully, Barrow AFC have greater morals than Barcelona and, however poorly the Conference is run, operate in a league that actually attempts to provide a level playing field.

Despite the fact that many of Barcelona's youth players would walk into most teams in La Liga (and have the wages to prove it), 'mes que un bastardo club' have been given dispensation by La Liga to pluck ex-Teeside drystonewaller, Martin Braithwaite, from La Liga relegation zone loiterers, Club Deportivo Leganés.

Yet Leganés do not get any dispensation to replace their 'star striker', so they are almost certainly going to be relegated. A relegation which has been directly affected by Barcelona being unable to operate with a balanced squad and 5punking (admittedly world class 5punk - Sir Alex has started action over his stud rights) over £500k a week on Lionel Messi.

Top level football is truly disgusting and I thank Mr Fenty for his foresight in keeping us well away from it during his tenure.

Quoted from Knut Anders Fosters Voles

Thankfully, Barrow AFC have greater morals than Barcelona and, however poorly the Conference is run, operate in a league that actually attempts to provide a level playing field.

Despite the fact that many of Barcelona's youth players would walk into most teams in La Liga (and have the wages to prove it), 'mes que un bastardo club' have been given dispensation by La Liga to pluck ex-Teeside drystonewaller, Martin Braithwaite, from La Liga relegation zone loiterers, Club Deportivo Leganés.

Yet Leganés do not get any dispensation to replace their 'star striker', so they are almost certainly going to be relegated. A relegation which has been directly affected by Barcelona being unable to operate with a balanced squad and 5punking (admittedly world class 5punk - Sir Alex has started action over his stud rights) over £500k a week on Lionel Messi.

Top level football is truly disgusting and I thank Mr Fenty for his foresight in keeping us well away from it during his tenure.

I struggle to see how FGR, and many others, would get promoted in a league that provided a level playing field.

Not heard about the Barca situation. What a load of rubbish, and I will bet Dembele is fit to start next season despite being out for "6 months".

Quoted from pen penfras

I struggle to see how FGR, and many others, would get promoted in a league that provided a level playing field.

Not heard about the Barca situation. What a load of rubbish, and I will bet Dembele is fit to start next season despite being out for "6 months".

Admittedly, all of the clubs in La Liga did sign up to the rules at the start of the season and two of the conditions were:

- If Barcelona ask you to do something, you do it, or we will take an even larger chunk of the TV rights
- If Real Madrid ask you to do something, you do it, or we will take an even larger chunk of the TV rights

Quoted from Knut Anders Fosters Voles

Admittedly, all of the clubs in La Liga did sign up to the rules at the start of the season and two of the conditions were:

- If Barcelona ask you to do something, you do it, or we will take an even larger chunk of the TV rights
- If Real Madrid ask you to do something, you do it, or we will take an even larger chunk of the TV rights

This bang on. I dislike Real a lot more than I do Barca, but I agree, they pay wages they simply cannot afford, or at least it does seem that way. UEFA favour these two giants over everyone else, and it does annoy me. There is no doubt that Man City have broken the rules and been quite unethical about their whole situation, but Real and Barca have done that sort of thing for decades. If either of those two got banned it would be seismic. UEFA just don't like this new-money thing with Man City. I'm not keen either and think City are a false club nowadays (no fault of their fans), but it should be one rule for all.

Quoted from TheRonRaffertyFanClub

Bradford PA went out in 1970 but they were broke. I saw Town play there in that last year and I think there were about 30 of us Town fans (and not many more from Bradford!). They sold off their players and we picked up a decent left winger for very little whose name escapes me. He was never as good for Town and didn't stay long at BP though.

I felt sorry for the northern clubs. We had some connections with Workington with Charlie Wright and Bill Shankly and, apart from McEvoy, Colin Appleton also managed Barrow. Relegation could have happened sooner though because it wasn't until the 4th Div came in and the reorganisation of the non-league pyramid that re-election became a straight choice. Until then any number of non-league clubs could be vying for a place and that split the vote which was why it took Peterborough so long to make it despite being the top non-league side for year after year.

Keith Cockburn was the name of the winger Ron

Quoted from Heisenberg

This bang on. I dislike Real a lot more than I do Barca, but I agree, they pay wages they simply cannot afford, or at least it does seem that way. UEFA favour these two giants over everyone else, and it does annoy me. There is no doubt that Man City have broken the rules and been quite unethical about their whole situation, but Real and Barca have done that sort of thing for decades. If either of those two got banned it would be seismic. UEFA just don't like this new-money thing with Man City. I'm not keen either and think City are a false club nowadays (no fault of their fans), but it should be one rule for all.

I used to see RM as the devil and Barca as the good guys. In fact, when I could not get to sleep, I used to dream of playing up front for Barca (Town had released me after John Tondeur caught me eating skinless cod out of a paper bag in People's Park. He told Burnsy (I guess you had to in those days)), and I had to work my way back up after stints at Southport and Strømsgodset.

It's all changed now though. I am currently on gardening leave after nutting Xavi over a disagreement on the treatment of migrant workers in Qatar, and am now looking at my options in the Bundesliga.

Quoted from golfer

Keith Cockburn was the name of the winger Ron

That’s it!

Ta!

Quoted from golfer

Keith Cockburn was the name of the winger Ron

Scored a cracker on his debut and after that he was as visible on the pitch as Lord Lucan off it!!!

Quoted from Knut Anders Fosters Voles

Thankfully, Barrow AFC have greater morals than Barcelona and, however poorly the Conference is run, operate in a league that actually attempts to provide a level playing field.

Despite the fact that many of Barcelona's youth players would walk into most teams in La Liga (and have the wages to prove it), 'mes que un bastardo club' have been given dispensation by La Liga to pluck ex-Teeside drystonewaller, Martin Braithwaite, from La Liga relegation zone loiterers, Club Deportivo Leganés.

Yet Leganés do not get any dispensation to replace their 'star striker', so they are almost certainly going to be relegated. A relegation which has been directly affected by Barcelona being unable to operate with a balanced squad and 5punking (admittedly world class 5punk - Sir Alex has started action over his stud rights) over £500k a week on Lionel Messi.

Top level football is truly disgusting and I thank Mr Fenty for his foresight in keeping us well away from it during his tenure.

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Quoted from cannylad68

I remember seeing Don McEvoy playing for a Grimsby Town X1 against a Showbiz X1, (may have included Des O'Conner and Craig Douglas), one Sunday afternoon at King George stadium.
Good times and all fun with proceeds for charity.

I have the programme from that game. I went with Terry Donovan. F. A. Would who was then GTFC chairman took Terry aside and advised him NEVER to become a pro. footballer!

Quoted from TheRonRaffertyFanClub

Bradford PA went out in 1970 but they were broke. I saw Town play there in that last year and I think there were about 30 of us Town fans (and not many more from Bradford!). They sold off their players and we picked up a decent left winger for very little whose name escapes me. He was never as good for Town and didn't stay long at BP though.

I felt sorry for the northern clubs. We had some connections with Workington with Charlie Wright and Bill Shankly and, apart from McEvoy, Colin Appleton also managed Barrow. Relegation could have happened sooner though because it wasn't until the 4th Div came in and the reorganisation of the non-league pyramid that re-election became a straight choice. Until then any number of non-league clubs could be vying for a place and that split the vote which was why it took Peterborough so long to make it despite being the top non-league side for year after year.

I think the player you mention was called Keith (something).
Kevin Hector who had a very good career at Derby in Division 1 started out at Bradford Park. A.

Quoted from Knut Anders Fosters Voles

I used to see RM as the devil and Barca as the good guys. In fact, when I could not get to sleep, I used to dream of playing up front for Barca (Town had released me after John Tondeur caught me eating skinless cod out of a paper bag in People's Park. He told Burnsy (I guess you had to in those days)), and I had to work my way back up after stints at Southport and Strømsgodset.

It's all changed now though. I am currently on gardening leave after nutting Xavi over a disagreement on the treatment of migrant workers in Qatar, and am now looking at my options in the Bundesliga.

It sounds like you could do a job at this level...

Strangely, I remember Kevin Hector scoring a lot of goals. You do as a kid. Also Stuart Scullion and Barry Endean. Not sure why they stick in the mind as nothing to do with Town.

Keith Cockburn scored with a good shot for Grimsby in front of the Osmond Stand. We were in the same stand so it must have been when you changed ends at HT.

Quoted from TownSNAFU5

Strangely, I remember Kevin Hector scoring a lot of goals. You do as a kid. Also Stuart Scullion and Barry Endean. Not sure why they stick in the mind as nothing to do with Town.

Keith Cockburn scored with a good shot for Grimsby in front of the Osmond Stand. We were in the same stand so it must have been when you changed ends at HT.

Think Scullion and Endean’s fame emanates from them combining for Endean to score with a diving header and knock Liverpool out the FA Cup quarter finals think it was in 69 or 70. Ultimately that led to Shankly rebuilding his team with stalwarts like Lawrence, Yeats and St John replaced by Clemence, Larry Lloyd and Keegan.

Other three strikers I remember from my early town years were Bobby Ham (think he scored 4 one day in a 5-1 Bradford City victory, Jim Fryatt who was at Oldham and Dixie McNeil who played at a number of clubs which I think included Lincoln, Northampton and Wrexham.

I saw Town play at Bradford PA. It was the first ground I went to that had a double decker stand.

I remember Dougie Collins was sent off for punching one of their players.

After the game a Town director came out and shook all the Town fans hands to thank us for our support!

Quoted from Lincoln Mariner 56

Think Scullion and Endean’s fame emanates from them combining for Endean to score with a diving header and knock Liverpool out the FA Cup quarter finals think it was in 69 or 70. Ultimately that led to Shankly rebuilding his team with stalwarts like Lawrence, Yeats and St John replaced by Clemence, Larry Lloyd and Keegan.

Other three strikers I remember from my early town years were Bobby Ham (think he scored 4 one day in a 5-1 Bradford City victory, Jim Fryatt who was at Oldham and Dixie McNeil who played at a number of clubs which I think included Lincoln, Northampton and Wrexham.

Some great names from the past in the lower divisions. My (female) cousin was Oldham daft and worshipped Jim Fryatt.
Seem to remember Dixie McNeil playing for Lincoln at B.P.

Quoted from Lincoln Mariner 56

Think Scullion and Endean’s fame emanates from them combining for Endean to score with a diving header and knock Liverpool out the FA Cup quarter finals think it was in 69 or 70. Ultimately that led to Shankly rebuilding his team with stalwarts like Lawrence, Yeats and St John replaced by Clemence, Larry Lloyd and Keegan.

Other three strikers I remember from my early town years were Bobby Ham (think he scored 4 one day in a 5-1 Bradford City victory, Jim Fryatt who was at Oldham and Dixie McNeil who played at a number of clubs which I think included Lincoln, Northampton and Wrexham.

Fryatt was one of those players who played for load of clubs during his career. Never stayed anywhere long but always produced the goods in front of goal.

Quoted from jock dock tower

Fryatt was one of those players who played for load of clubs during his career. Never stayed anywhere long but always produced the goods in front of goal.

I remember his name more because he was credited with scoring the fastest ever goal on record ( 4 seconds from kick-off - unless someone in recent years has done it quicker? )

LM Mariner yes I remember those 3 strikers that you highlighted.

Bobby Ham might have played for Bradford City when they beat us at their place in the FAC about 1968 or 1969.  I think that they had a very tall striker playing for them,

I remember the game for other things.  There were 4 of us who travelled on public transport from Mablethorpe.  None of were old enough to drive.  5 Mins before the end of the game we took off our Town scarfs and tied them around our bodies under our jackets.

We then legged it to the rail station before the City skinheads got there first and ambushed us.  We made it the relative sanctity of the station 2 mins before a gang got there.  Not quite the good old days.  When young, you ignored the dangers of supporting Town at away games.