Barrow AFC.net

Thank you, Steelworks End.. I have updated his profile ... excellent stuff!

Peter McDonnell joined Barrow in the summer of 1983, making 41 (out of 42) league appearances and 32 the following season, initially (in 1984/5) as player-manager. He stepped down as manager in November 1984 although he remained as a player, but subsequently left towards the end of the season as part of a mini-exodus of Barrow players to join Morecambe.

He subsequently returned to Barrow in August 1988, quickly establishing himself as regular first team 'keeper, and remained with the club until the summer of 1993, although in his final season his appearances were restricted.

So, only part of his first spell at Barrow saw him act as player-manager; for most of that spell and all of his second period at the club he was a player only.

Tony Hateley made his debut in the first game of the season on 21-8-76 and played his last game I believe (and this is a correction from my earlier post) on 19-10-76. He scored 5 goals, 4 in the Northern Premier League and one in a Lancashire Combination match. In that last match we beat Great Harwood at home 1-0 in the League and Hateley scored that goal with a penalty.

David Johnson’s name first appears as a sub (don’t know whether he came on) in the home league game against Wycombe Wanderers in the Gola League on 21-9-85. His first definite appearance came in a league match against Cheltenham on 28-9-85. It finished 2-2 and Johnson scored one. Our other goal that day came from the great Colin Cowperthwaite. He never played for Liverpool but you have to wonder what you missed out on. I guess at that time you just had to make do with Rush. Johnson’s last appearance seems to have been on 15-3-86 in a 3-0 defeat in the league away at Dagenham. Dave scored 5 goals for us, 3 in the league and 2 in the Lancs Junior Cup.

Brian Kettle scored 1 goal for us, on 23-11-85 in a 1-2 home defeat against Dartford. I think he made his first appearance on 2-11-85 and his last appearance appears to have been on 2-3-86.

If you’re wondering why there are a few “maybe’s”, “probably’s” and “seems to be’s” it’s because the stats for our non-league days are not so easy to scan. It’s a bit like spotting needles in haystacks.

Sounds like a good read Arnie,what was the title of your first book ? I have some great sugestions for a title for your second book if your struggling.

The Poacher wrote:Sounds like a good read Arnie,what was the title of your first book ? I have some great sugestions for a title for your second book if your struggling.

What are these suggestions Poacher? I hope they're as funny as I'm expecting.

Thank you so much for the effort you put in.. yes we did have to settle for Rushie... it was tough!

pjdaly wrote:Tony Hateley made his debut in the first game of the season on 21-8-76 and played his last game I believe (and this is a correction from my earlier post) on 19-10-76. He scored 5 goals, 4 in the Northern Premier League and one in a Lancashire Combination match. In that last match we beat Great Harwood at home 1-0 in the League and Hateley scored that goal with a penalty.

David Johnson’s name first appears as a sub (don’t know whether he came on) in the home league game against Wycombe Wanderers in the Gola League on 21-9-85. His first definite appearance came in a league match against Cheltenham on 28-9-85. It finished 2-2 and Johnson scored one. Our other goal that day came from the great Colin Cowperthwaite. He never played for Liverpool but you have to wonder what you missed out on. I guess at that time you just had to make do with Rush. Johnson’s last appearance seems to have been on 15-3-86 in a 3-0 defeat in the league away at Dagenham. Dave scored 5 goals for us, 3 in the league and 2 in the Lancs Junior Cup.

Brian Kettle scored 1 goal for us, on 23-11-85 in a 1-2 home defeat against Dartford. I think he made his first appearance on 2-11-85 and his last appearance appears to have been on 2-3-86.

If you’re wondering why there are a few “maybe’s”, “probably’s” and “seems to be’s” it’s because the stats for our non-league days are not so easy to scan. It’s a bit like spotting needles in haystacks.

Chris Butler was another ex-Liverpool player (Liverpool youth/reserves), an excellent defender who played as a full back for Barrow. He moved on to Sligo Rovers (I think) after knee/injury problems if I recall correctly. Sorry I don't have any stats on him either.

Having just seen highlights of Barrow's game in Woking and Barrow hitting the post 3 times in the first half, I've just recalled something that happened when Peter McDonnell was playing, just something bizarre that sticks in the memory. I may have the wrong game but I think it was at home against Merthyr Tydfil for some reason. A player (I don't know who) took a shot from outside the box, it went over Peter's head dipping as it went. It hit the cross bar and rebounded down onto to Peter's left post, it then bounced on the ground and hit the other post and rebounded straight into his hands. He knew the shot had beaten him and simply watched it go over his head and hit the cross bar and then left post, ground and then the right post before putting his hands out to grab it as it bounced out toward him. It happened so quick he had just enough time to turn around and grab it. I've never seen anything like it since, it was quiet remarkable.

K_BFC wrote:Chris Butler was another ex-Liverpool player (Liverpool youth/reserves),

As did Steve McNulty now with Fleetwood.

Richard Ingham wrote:

K_BFC wrote:Chris Butler was another ex-Liverpool player (Liverpool youth/reserves),

As did Steve McNulty now with Fleetwood.

Don't forget Lee Prior!

Probably the most appropriate thread to ‘bump’ with the news of David Johnson’s passing.

Tragically just mentioned on TV that David Johnson died today. RIP

Lancaster Branch wrote: ↑Wed Nov 23, 2022 1:35 pm Probably the most appropriate thread to ‘bump’ with the news of David Johnson’s passing.

The goal he scored at Runcorn sticks in my mind, a rocket from a narrow angle out on the wing. I think it was 1985. RIP.

These were all on Liverpool's books but never played for the first team:

Mark Deegan -Junior
Paul Rutherford - Academy
Derek McClatchey - Reserves
Ian McDonald - born in Barrow

Mention of Derek McClatchey reminded me of a long conversation I had at the time with one of his old schoolmates in a Prescot pub.He gave him a glowing tribute. A bit of delving from there led me to a site called plaupLiverpool.com which for some reason had a page of Liverpool Reserves Central League appearances for 1974-75. These include Brian Kettle (37) Ian McDonald (12) Peter McDonnell (11) and McClatchey(7). A name that jumped out was Ulverston-born Jonathan Laisby an apprentice goalkeeper who made 3 appearances.Don't think he ever played for us but on his CV was his debut for Workington in their last ever FL game at Borough Park in May 1977.