Comparing this season with 1971-72

[xerxes]

Remarkably, we have exactly the same playing record this season as in our last season in Division 4 - Won 13, Drew 11, Lost 22.

Our home and away records are also similar -
1971/72 - Home W8 D8 L7 Away W5 D3 L15 - 22nd place
2020/21 - Home W7 D8 L8 Away W6 D3 L14 - 21st place

Our goal difference this season was much better - 53-59 as opposed to 40-71 in 1972. We had some big defeats that season - as well as the 7-1 loss at Exeter on the final day we also lost 7-0 at Peterborough, 3-0 and 4-0 to Brentford, 4-0 at Bury, and most significantly 4-0 at home to fellow strugglers Darlington in our 43rd game, a result which arguably was more to blame for our demise that the final day defeat at Exeter. This season most defeats have been by a single goal, with none more than a 2 goal margin.

[Wintergreen]

Well l never, what are the odds of that. And didn’t we finish fourth bottom after the last game at Exeter?

[xerxes]

Well l never, what are the odds of that. And didn’t we finish fourth bottom after the last game at Exeter?

Northampton finished fourth bottom, above us on goal average.

[Exeter bluebird]

This season is Barrow's highest league since 1970 I believe

[Suffolk Blue]

You want another coincidental factor? In 71/72 the shape of our season was similar to this season. Our early and mid season form was terrible and we improved only when a caretaker manager (Jack Crompton) took over the reins. Unfortunately we fell at the final couple of hurdles in 72 and that ultimately cost us our place in the League.

Other comparisons are less coincidental however. The team in 72 were a collection of gnarled old pros and promising youths. The club was utterly skint and would have looked at this seasons budget with shock and awe. Lets not get too sentimental about this. In 71/72 we were a dying shambles of a club. In 20/21 we just f**ked things up.

[Exeter bluebird]

This season is Barrow's highest league finish since 1970 I believe

[Pedro]

You want another coincidental factor? In 71/72 the shape of our season was similar to this season. Our early and mid season form was terrible and we improved only when a caretaker manager (Jack Crompton) took over the reins. Unfortunately we fell at the final couple of hurdles in 72 and that ultimately cost us our place in the League.

Other comparisons are less coincidental however. The team in 72 were a collection of gnarled old pros and promising youths. The club was utterly skint and would have looked at this seasons budget with shock and awe. Lets not get too sentimental about this. In 71/72 we were a dying shambles of a club. In 20/21 we just f**ked things up.

I think we tried to borrow a goal keeper for reasons people will know.
The League refused stating it was after the deadline then letting Everton sign a back up goalkeeper ,nothing changes!
If I remember right, if not someone correct me I think Bobby Knox played in goal a couple of times ?

[MisterPleasant]

You want another coincidental factor? In 71/72 the shape of our season was similar to this season. Our early and mid season form was terrible and we improved only when a caretaker manager (Jack Crompton) took over the reins. Unfortunately we fell at the final couple of hurdles in 72 and that ultimately cost us our place in the League.

Other comparisons are less coincidental however. The team in 72 were a collection of gnarled old pros and promising youths. The club was utterly skint and would have looked at this seasons budget with shock and awe. Lets not get too sentimental about this. In 71/72 we were a dying shambles of a club. In 20/21 we just f**ked things up.

I think we tried to borrow a goal keeper for reasons people will know.
The League refused stating it was after the deadline then letting Everton sign a back up goalkeeper ,nothing changes!
If I remember right, if not someone correct me I think Bobby Knox played in goal a couple of times ?

Yup, looking at the programme xerxes posted for the final Exeter game and B. Knox was listed as the 'keeper although, in the end, he was replaced by Thomson. But he must have been used in that role.

[behind the goals]

Bobby Knox played in goals v Cambridge(a) April 15th lost 1-0 & Darlington(h) April 17th lost 4-0

[SKIPPER]

Bobby 'opportunity' Knox was no stranger to the goalkeeping position. In the days of schoolboy representative games he was Barrow Boys goalkeeper in the mid 60's. But to be fair he was thrown in at the deep end long after any competitive experience in that position. Together with everything else it rankled that we were not allowed an emergency loan 'keeper especially when one was granted to a First division club around the same time ( Can't remember who but it was because their remaining games did not involve teams at the top or bottom of the table. Had we picked up just one point from them two games history would have been re-written.

[Pedro]

Bobby 'opportunity' Knox was no stranger to the goalkeeping position. In the days of schoolboy representative games he was Barrow Boys goalkeeper in the mid 60's. But to be fair he was thrown in at the deep end long after any competitive experience in that position. Together with everything else it rankled that we were not allowed an emergency loan 'keeper especially when one was granted to a First division club around the same time ( Can't remember who but it was because their remaining games did not involve teams at the top or bottom of the table. Had we picked up just one point from them two games history would have been re-written.

Think it was Everton if I remember right, Harry Catterick was the Manager cannot remember who they borrowed.
I was fuming but nothing changes that's why I have been giving a lot of Premership supporters stick.
Alot have moaned about the proposed new European League,told them you swim with sharks you get eaten by them.
No different to how they created the Premier League dumped the EFL.
Cut payments to the grass roots in FA cup earlier rounds.

[xerxes]

Bobby 'opportunity' Knox was no stranger to the goalkeeping position.

Indeed. Against Doncaster during the Christmas period in 1965-66 he came on as substitute when our goalkeeper was injured. He then saved a penalty, reputedly the first time a substitute had ever done so.

[Shaun]

Remarkably, we have exactly the same playing record this season as in our last season in Division 4 - Won 13, Drew 11, Lost 22.

Our home and away records are also similar -
1971/72 - Home W8 D8 L7 Away W5 D3 L15 - 22nd place
2020/21 - Home W7 D8 L8 Away W6 D3 L14 - 21st place

Our goal difference this season was much better - 53-59 as opposed to 40-71 in 1972. We had some big defeats that season - as well as the 7-1 loss at Exeter on the final day we also lost 7-0 at Peterborough, 3-0 and 4-0 to Brentford, 4-0 at Bury, and most significantly 4-0 at home to fellow strugglers Darlington in our 43rd game, a result which arguably was more to blame for our demise that the final day defeat at Exeter. This season most defeats have been by a single goal, with none more than a 2 goal margin.

Thanks. Great info.