Brian Keen

[Cromwell58]

Thanks for putting the club where it is now you are a big part of our history, thoughts with your family.

[32mile_cul-de-sac]

Mr Barrow AFC, where would the club be without him god only knows. True gent, R.I.P legend Brian.

[Wintergreen]

My overriding memory of Brian is from the summer of 1999; many hereabouts will remember that time and the catastrophic situation the club found itself in. To recap – the club was heading for liquidation following the sudden departure of our owner/backer with us also facing a catalogue of regulation breaches. Players and staff members were jumping ship to preserve their livelihoods and consequently the club was heading for relegation from the Conference. Brian had hastily put together a consortium to try and keep the club operating and more importantly, in existence.

The last day of that season was a gloriously sunny one as we found ourselves travelling to Kidderminster needing a result, swiftly followed by a miracle. Coming out of the station we soon found ourselves heading for a busy little pub (The Station Inn?) and something of a commotion. Because there seated outside were Brian, Tony and (I think) Jeff Keen, being mobbed by a lively gathering of Barrovian well-wishers. It was the first time most of us had seen him in the flesh and Brian had a smile and word or two for everyone in a statesman-like manner as the Keens shook many hands and declined countless offers of drinks.

Reflecting on it later I concluded that Brian had positioned himself strategically and on full view to rally the troops and lead from the front. Rabble-rousing was not his style, but his dignity and quiet confidence rubbed off on everyone there that day I think. Later, our makeshift team managed to beat the bemused Kidderminster, roared on by hundreds of Barrow supporters and to the tune of ‘The Great Escape’. Technically, we had avoided the drop, but many retributions and challenges lay ahead. However, I remember also thinking back then, that with a man the calibre of Brian at the helm, we had a pretty decent chance of survival. And so it would prove to be.

[Jim]

However, I remember also thinking back then, that with a man the calibre of Brian at the helm, we had a pretty decent chance of survival. And so it would prove to be.

I think there is little doubt that if Brian (who said he wasn't really a football fan) had not stepped in to form a consortium, won the confidence of the Administrator, and led the process of buying back the club, we would now be languishing in the northern counties league and no longer playing at Holker Street. I am so glad he lived to see us back and flourishing in the EFL.

[Pedro]

However, I remember also thinking back then, that with a man the calibre of Brian at the helm, we had a pretty decent chance of survival. And so it would prove to be.

I think there is little doubt that if Brian (who said he wasn't really a football fan) had not stepped in to form a consortium, won the confidence of the Administrator, and led the process of buying back the club, we would now be languishing in the northern counties league and no longer playing at Holker Street. I am so glad he lived to see us back and flourishing in the EFL.

Very true and someone who was not originally from Barrow but did alot to make sure the club survived .
People like this man should have some recognition of what he did so his legacy lives on.

[dodger]

My overriding memory of Brian is from the summer of 1999; many hereabouts will remember that time and the catastrophic situation the club found itself in. To recap – the club was heading for liquidation following the sudden departure of our owner/backer with us also facing a catalogue of regulation breaches. Players and staff members were jumping ship to preserve their livelihoods and consequently the club was heading for relegation from the Conference. Brian had hastily put together a consortium to try and keep the club operating and more importantly, in existence.

The last day of that season was a gloriously sunny one as we found ourselves travelling to Kidderminster needing a result, swiftly followed by a miracle. Coming out of the station we soon found ourselves heading for a busy little pub (The Station Inn?) and something of a commotion. Because there seated outside were Brian, Tony and (I think) Jeff Keen, being mobbed by a lively gathering of Barrovian well-wishers. It was the first time most of us had seen him in the flesh and Brian had a smile and word or two for everyone in a statesman-like manner as the Keens shook many hands and declined countless offers of drinks.

Reflecting on it later I concluded that Brian had positioned himself strategically and on full view to rally the troops and lead from the front. Rabble-rousing was not his style, but his dignity and quiet confidence rubbed off on everyone there that day I think. Later, our makeshift team managed to beat the bemused Kidderminster, roared on by hundreds of Barrow supporters and to the tune of ‘The Great Escape’. Technically, we had avoided the drop, but many retributions and challenges lay ahead. However, I remember also thinking back then, that with a man the calibre of Brian at the helm, we had a pretty decent chance of survival. And so it would prove to be.

That was certainly a memorable day Gaz. Shane Westely wasn’t a man to be messed with and he must have made it clear to the players losing wasn’t an option! We stopped at the same Pub as Brian on the way down and he was as approachable as ever and a lot of the lads on our coach had worked for him or come across him through his engineering company and all had a great catch up! Sad loss and condolences to Tony and his family!

[Wintergreen]

That was certainly a memorable day Gaz. Shane Westely wasn’t a man to be messed with and he must have made it clear to the players losing wasn’t an option! We stopped at the same Pub as Brian on the way down and he was as approachable as ever and a lot of the lads on our coach had worked for him or come across him through his engineering company and all had a great catch up! Sad loss and condolences to Tony and his family!

Westley was some unit; I remember trying to give him a man-hug on the pitch after that game and couldn't get my arms around him.

[bluessupporter]

Think we also have to remember that the Football League wanted us relegated to the foot of the pyramid and it was Brian who persuaded them to delay the start of our season whilst it was sorted.

R. I. P. Brian.

[Adam29]

The club have setup a book of condolence in the reception area at the ground

It’s to the left of the doors as you walk in - be good to get it filled

[Suffolk Blue]

Think we also have to remember that the Football League wanted us relegated to the foot of the pyramid and it was Brian who persuaded them to delay the start of our season whilst it was sorted.

R. I. P. Brian.

The Football League (ie the EFL) were not involved in any way. We were a National League club and I’m not sure what their position was though I think they were glad to see the back of us.

The problem was really caused by the FA. From memory we fell into a loophole in the FA regulations. The accepted procedure was that when a club went bust it ceased to function and could not play on. However BAFC immediately re-formed and finished the season. This was clearly against the spirit of whatever intentions the FA had but they had not bothered to regulate for it, thus creating a unique situation.

After much internal wrangling the FA came up with the classic fudge. We would be relegated but only by one level on that occasion. By the time it reached this conclusion the NPL (no Conf North then) had fully constituted its League and refused to let us in.

This led to an unholy row between the NPL and the FA for which there was only going to be one winner. When the FA threatened to bar all NPL clubs from promotion, the FA Cup and the FA Trophy, they capitulated. Barrow eventually started the season under Kenny Lowe against Guiseley six weeks late. We were nobody’s favourite team as the fixture list had to be totally re-organised.

No doubt that that the Keens support together with Kenny Lowes management got us through one of the darkest periods in our history.

[Jim]

I have a 'Give 'em Beans' from Nov 2002, edition 54, which has a 3 page interview with Brian after the ground had been bought back from the Administrator. I had forgotten that, after raising money to buy the ground, a higher bid came in at the last minute from Stephen Vaughan and Brian and his associates had to decide whether to "go for it", as Brian put it, and match that bid.

[Sonofsam]

RIP Brian you were the best had time for everyone and my condolonces go to tony and the rest of your family

[bluessupporter]

Think we also have to remember that the Football League wanted us relegated to the foot of the pyramid and it was Brian who persuaded them to delay the start of our season whilst it was sorted.

R. I. P. Brian.

The Football League (ie the EFL) were not involved in any way. We were a National League club and I’m not sure what their position was though I think they were glad to see the back of us.

The problem was really caused by the FA. From memory we fell into a loophole in the FA regulations. The accepted procedure was that when a club went bust it ceased to function and could not play on. However BAFC immediately re-formed and finished the season. This was clearly against the spirit of whatever intentions the FA had but they had not bothered to regulate for it, thus creating a unique situation.

After much internal wrangling the FA came up with the classic fudge. We would be relegated but only by one level on that occasion. By the time it reached this conclusion the NPL (no Conf North then) had fully constituted its League and refused to let us in.

This led to an unholy row between the NPL and the FA for which there was only going to be one winner. When the FA threatened to bar all NPL clubs from promotion, the FA Cup and the FA Trophy, they capitulated. Barrow eventually started the season under Kenny Lowe against Guiseley six weeks late. We were nobody’s favourite team as the fixture list had to be totally re-organised.

No doubt that that the Keens support together with Kenny Lowes management got us through one of the darkest periods in our history.

Thanks for the correction SB. The mind has a habit of becoming more befuddled as it gets older, well mine does, and it was a few years back now!

[Stephen Leonard]

Think we also have to remember that the Football League wanted us relegated to the foot of the pyramid and it was Brian who persuaded them to delay the start of our season whilst it was sorted.

R. I. P. Brian.

The Football League (ie the EFL) were not involved in any way. We were a National League club and I’m not sure what their position was though I think they were glad to see the back of us.

The problem was really caused by the FA. From memory we fell into a loophole in the FA regulations. The accepted procedure was that when a club went bust it ceased to function and could not play on. However BAFC immediately re-formed and finished the season. This was clearly against the spirit of whatever intentions the FA had but they had not bothered to regulate for it, thus creating a unique situation.

After much internal wrangling the FA came up with the classic fudge. We would be relegated but only by one level on that occasion. By the time it reached this conclusion the NPL (no Conf North then) had fully constituted its League and refused to let us in.

This led to an unholy row between the NPL and the FA for which there was only going to be one winner. When the FA threatened to bar all NPL clubs from promotion, the FA Cup and the FA Trophy, they capitulated. Barrow eventually started the season under Kenny Lowe against Guiseley six weeks late. We were nobody’s favourite team as the fixture list had to be totally re-organised.

No doubt that that the Keens support together with Kenny Lowes management got us through one of the darkest periods in our history.

99% correct except for the ‘reformed’ bit - the old company was liquidated but legally that means someone is appointed to manage the company affairs and get the best result for the creditors. The company had 2 ‘assets’

First was the ‘football registration’ and 2 was the ground’ which although Vaughan had ‘sold’ it to Northern Developments the transaction was ‘dubious’ . This meant that the liquidator had an asset to try and recover to raise funds for the creditors - this meant the company was not yet closed and the fact that the football registration was still in his hands meant that the club (via the old company ) could continue

The Confernece wanted assurances that the company would see out the season and that assurance was given by the liquidator once he had got an assurance from Brian and the consortium that we would underwrite his losses.

This was all done within 3 days after liquidation and we played the match on the Saturday in dense fog !!

It was only 2 weeks later that Barrow 1999 Ltd was formed essentially as a fundraising vehicle to provide money to keep the old company and liquidator from losing anything.

It was another 2.5 year before the ground issue was resolved and the football registration was transferred to the New company.

The whole story is even more involved and unbelievable that most people know but one thing is for certain if Brian hadn’t have stepped up along with the other guys the club would have been finished iat that point and a resurrection from the NW counties would have been required (which we did have as a back up plan !!)

[Suffolk Blue]

Many thanks Stephen.

Someone should write the definitive story of these events - if they have not already. I do remember trying to get my head around the whole situation at the time and even now there are clearly murky bits.

Clearly if that situation had occurred today the 12 point penalty would have resolved the issue but that did not apply then. Also interesting to note that Vaughan’s shenanigans with the ground inadvertently helped to delay liquidation and therefore enabled us to continue.

The bit I suspect remains to be told probably relates to those at the club and in particular Brian Keen in using this horrendous situation to navigate a path through to the point whereby we were able to start afresh. I suspect the Keens were very smart in an administative sense.

Given Brian’s sad passing, perhaps it’s time for the whole story to be told.