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 they were 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 20 th century saw the birth of the Old Boys (now Barrow Town). This team also played down "Mill Lane", and comprised mainly of boys from the village grammar school.
The English football league system, also known as the football pyramid, is a series of interconnected leagues for men's association football clubs in England, with six teams from Wales one from Guernsey , one from Jersey and one from the Isle of Man also competing.
The system has a hierarchical format with promotion and relegation between leagues at different levels, allowing even the smallest club the theoretical possibility of ultimately rising to the very top of the system, although in practice it would take a team at the bottom levels at least two decades of consistently finishing at or near the top of each successive league to reach the top level, and even then additional restrictions, particularly in regard to stadium facilities, would then come into effect at the highest levels that could prevent a club from being allowed access to the top levels. The Premiership is level 1 of the pyramid, the Championship is level 2 and league 1 is level 3 (etc). Local county leagues (e.g. Leicester Senior League) constitute the lowest level (level 11) of the pyramid. Barrow Town cur- rently play at level 10.
There are more than 140 individual leagues, containing more than 480 divisions. The exact number of clubs varies from year to year as clubs join and leave leagues or fold altogether, but an estimated average of 15 clubs per division implies that more than 7,000 teams of nearly 5,300 clubs are members of a league in the English men's football league system.
Barrow Town Vision Statement
To become a 21st century community asset built around men’s, women’s, boys’ & 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.
Barrow Town 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.
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.
Local Mind Engagement and Development Lead Rachel Nott said;
“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 and 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.
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 the to fight for equality in football.
To learn more about the KICK IT OUT campaign use link.