Barry Town United F.C.
 | |||
| Full name | Barry Town United Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Dragons, Linnets, Town | ||
| Founded | 1912 (as Barry AFC) | ||
| Ground | Jenner Park, Barry | ||
| Capacity | 2,500 | ||
| Manager | Gavin Chesterfield | ||
| League | MacWhirter Welsh League Division One | ||
| 2013–14 | MacWhirter Welsh League Division Two, 1st | ||
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Barry Town United F.C. (Welsh: Clwb Pêl Droed Tref Y Barri) is an association football team based in Barry. They are known for representing Wales in Europe as winners of the Welsh Premier League and Welsh Cup during the 1990s and early 2000s and have also competed in England's Southern League and FA Cup. The team, which has contained over 50 full internationals over the years, is now run by supporters. They play at traditional home Jenner Park, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, which holds 2,000 spectators.
History
Formation
Barry Town United's history dates back to 1892 when a football side named Barry and Cadoxton District was formed in the area. During the early years, this team endured many upheavals, playing on five different grounds under various identities, including Barry Unionist Athletic, Barry United Athletic and Barry District. Players who featured during these years included Ted Vizard and Billy Jennings; who would each go on to play in the famous ‘White Horse’ FA Cup Final.
In November 1912, a meeting at The Windsor in Holton Road saw townsfolk choose to pursue membership of the thriving Southern League as Barry AFC (the 'Town' suffix was added in 1931). The club would secure land owned by the Jenner family, before coming together to people of the town then came together to build Jenner Park, ahead of the first match of the 1912-13 season.
On 6 September 1913, Barry played their first ever fixture; a Southern League match against Mid-Rhondda United at Jenner Park. The game attracted 4,000 spectators, including 1,000 travelling supporters. Fittingly, the new Barry team would register a surprise, albeit merited, victory, with Barry's Ralph Isherwood scoring the very first goal at Jenner Park just three minutes into the contest. His second, midway through the second half, sealed a 2–1 Barry victory, a fine start for the side on, coincidentally, the same afternoon that the Arsenal FC played their first ever match at Highbury Stadium.
The ensuing two seasons would see Stoke City, Brentford FC, Coventry City and others visit the new ground. However, the First World War would soon interrupt competitive proceedings; with Barry captain Jim Wightman one of many casualties at the Somme.
Southern League
The 1920–21 season ranks as one of the finest in Barry's history, as they surprised many by becoming champions of the Southern League (Welsh). The achievement was all the more impressive when considering the small Barry squad played in over 100 matches in all competitions during the course of the season. Competing simultaneously in both the Welsh and Western League, the Barry board gave priority to Southern League fixtures, swayed by aspirations of joining the new English Third Division.
Inspired by Stanley Cowie, the title was clinched in early May, and yet hopes of Barry being able to play in the Football League were scuppered just a month later, when their application failed and Charlton Athletic and Aberdare Athletic were elected instead. The club retained membership of the Southern League for more than 60 years – their highest finishing place being fourth in the 1930s.
Among the notable players of the era were Johnny Gardner (500+ appearances), Dai Ward (300+ goals) and Fred Whitlow (100+ goals). Meanwhile, Barry-born sportsman Ernie Carless combined his footballing exploits with a successful cricketing career at Glamorgan CCC.
FA Cup and Welsh Cup
At the end of the 1920s, a crowd of 6,000 at Upton Park saw Barry beat Dagenham 1-0 to progress to the FA Cup 2nd Round; before losing to Brighton & Hove Albion 10 days later. It was the club's most successful run in the competition, a record that stands to this day. Barry would reach the 1st Round again in 1934-35, losing 1-0 to Northampton Town at Jenner Park, after the build-up to the match had been tainted by a fire that ravaged the grandstand.
Football again took a backseat in 1939, with the eruption of the Second World War. Barry’s Chris Mason would be captured as a prisoner of war during the conflict, though would return to Jenner Park to resume his career afterwards; entertaining spectators thrilled by the adventures of players such as Derek Tapscott (who would later sign for Arsenal), celebrated striker Stan Richards and Gwilym “Cannonball” Cain.
In the 1949-50 season, Jenner Park became one of the first grounds in the country to introduce floodlights, with Newport, Swansea and Cardiff City all visiting to showcase the facilities. Two seasons later, an all-Welsh showdown in the FA Cup 1st Round saw Barry outclassed by Newport County 4-0. Nevertheless, the town’s most celebrated footballing achievement was right around the corner.
In May 1955, after a 1-1 draw at the Racecourse in Wrexham, Barry beat Chester City 4-3 at Ninian Park to lift the Welsh Cup for the first time. Former Chelsea midfielder Charlie Dyke scored the winner, a dramatic late free-kick to take the cup back to Barry.
Sixties, Seventies and Eighties
In the late 1950s, a host of Scandinavian stars made their way to Jenner Park, and dazzled Barry football enthusiasts with their skill. Among their number were Finland’s Hannu Kankkonen and Bengt ‘Folet’ Berndtsson; a member of the Sweden squad that reach the 1958 World Cup Final. The influx of players from continental came as a reslt of chairman John Bailey's business interests overseas.
1961 saw another huge match as QPR visited Jenner Park in the FA Cup. A crowd of 7,000 saw Laurie Sheffield’s opener for Barry cancelled out late on. QPR would win the replay at Loftus Road comfortably. The 1960s and 70s are perhaps remembered most fondly for the personalities that pulled on the Barry shirt. Among them, prolific goalscorers Ken Gully and Clive Ayres, brothers John and Dickie Batt, long-serving Bobby Smith and Ashley Griffiths, and Mike Cosslett; now a member of the Barry coaching staff.
In 1982, Barry would leave the Southern League, focusing on Welsh League competition and winning six Welsh League titles before the decade’s end; thanks in no small part to the goals of Steve Williams. The most significant match of the decade though came on 17th November 1984, as 3,850 crammed into Jenner Park to see Barry vs Reading FC in the FA Cup 1st Round. Despite Ian Love‘s goal, an injury-time winner by Trevor Senior was enough to send the Royals through.
Exile
After a lack of floodlighting had stopped the club being able to compete in the Southern League for most of the 1980s, the decade's final year saw the necessary ground improvements to support a return to England. Barry entered the Southern League’s Midland Division and would consistently finish in the top six, yet were denied the opportunity to field a reserve XI in the Welsh League as they had done in previous decades.
The creation of the League of Wales (now Welsh Premier League) in 1992 then prompted a decree that Barry would no longer be able to compete in the English pyramid at all while based out of Jenner Park. As part of a group of rebel clubs known as the 'Irate Eight', the Town were forced into exile; with the first team adopting the name of Barri and playing 'home' matches out of Worcester City’s ground, while the reserves (by now, a local league outfit), manned the Jenner Park fort. However, this arrangement would last only one season, as O’ Halloran performed a shock u-turn that saw the Barry first team return home, accepted into the Welsh League Division One for the 1993/94 campaign.
Decade of dominance
Barry's return to Jenner Park would spark arguably the club's most successful period. In their first season back in Wales (1993–94), Barry earned immediate promotion to the top flight, while snaring a unique quadruple of Welsh League championship, the Welsh League Cup, the FAW Trophy and the Welsh Cup – for the first time since 1955 no less. The latter was one of Barry's finest moments, as they upset Football League Second Division outfit Cardiff City in front of 16,000 spectators at the old National Stadium. Barry's reward for winning the Welsh Cup was a European Cup Winners Cup tie against FK Žalgiris Vilnius of Lithuania, but they crashed out 7–0 on aggregate. Greater glory was on the horizon.
After one season in the League of Wales, Barry opted to become the league's first fully professional club and, thereafter, won their first league championship in 1995–96. The next year saw the Dragons create history as the first League of Wales side to progress beyond the opening round of a European competition. Following victory in Latvia over Dinaburg FC, Barry ousted Hungarian side Budapest Vasutas in one of several epic European nights at Jenner Park. Despite trailing 3–1 from the away leg, Barry stormed to a victory in the return match by the same score-line, and then won a penalty shoot-out 4–2. A 'Battle of Britain' with Scottish club Aberdeen was their reward and, after losing 3–1 at Pittodrie, the Welsh side drew 3–3 at a rain-swept Jenner Park, to exit the cup.
On the domestic scene, Barry were all-conquering, clinching a first ever treble of League of Wales championship, Welsh League Cup and Welsh Cup. The championship was claimed with a record 105 points and a goal difference of more than +100. Then, from March 1997, the Dragons went 51 matches without tasting defeat in a league game, just one of many records they would set in the 1990s.
1999 saw the Dragons become the first League of Wales outfit to win the FAW Premier Cup, with a 2–1 win over Wrexham at the club's own Racecourse Ground. Pipped to the title in 2000 by the emerging Total Network Solutions, Barry would regain their silverware the following campaign, while European battles with the likes of Dynamo Kiev and Boavista saw players of the highest calibre grace the Jenner Park surface.
Then, the 2000–01 season, Barry famously became the first League of Wales team to win a European Champions League tie, when they defeated the Azerbaijan champions FC Shamkir both home and away. They went on to meet Portuguese club FC Porto. Barry lost the first leg in Portugal by an emphatic 8–0 margin, after conceding two early penalties in front of a partisan 55,000 crowd. However, the Town would restore pride by winning the home leg 3–1, recording a memorable result that continues to grow in legend.
Decline and turmoil
The golden era would not last forever, and the constant challenge of securing prize money to sustain a winning squad would soon catch up with those running the club around the turn of the century. After chairperson and backer Paula O' Halloran stood aside; 'football troubleshooter' Kevin Green came in as the club's new Chief Executive, yet his varying initiatives failed to stop the rot. In what appeared a masterstroke, Green brought in footballer and celebrity John Fashanu as the club's high-profile new chairman in the winter of 2002. Some saw Fashanu as the missing piece of the jigsaw, and the man who would help sustain Barry's success going forward. Promising African and Chinese TV deals and an influx of Nigerian internationals, Fashanu made headlines, yet did little to steady the Barry ship, which looked to be in increasingly rough seas. Then, after a stint in ITV reality show 'I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!' saw him attain new-found popularity, Fashanu left the club, which by now was in a perilous financial state.
In the summer of 2003, the club went into administration and the professional squad would quickly disintegrate. An interim management was appointed, together with an amateur team drawn mostly from N & M Construction of the South Wales Amateur League (five levels below the Welsh Premier). Within a month, Barry had gone from winning a match in Europe to losing 8–0 at Caernarfon Town. Though the professional-era bubble had well and truly burst, fans set about raising money to help keep the club alive. Eventually, mystery man Stuart Lovering arrived to purchase of the club on 10th December 2003. Few at the time could have foreseen what was to come.
2003-04 was a difficult season to say the least, with champions Barry's first league win not coming until February 2004 when they beat fellow strugglers Welshpool Town 5–4 with a 98th-minute winning penalty from youngster Luke Sherbon. Manager Colin Addison was brought in resuscitate the team's ailing fortunes, yet the Dragons still ended up bottom of the division, four points off safety, and were relegated to the Welsh League Division One. Controversially, Addison was replaced as boss on the eve of the new campaign with assistant David Hughes, who himself had had a spell in charge the previous year. In the meantime, an independent district valuer had determined that the club would have to pay £42,000 rent and rates for that and each subsequent season for the remainder of the lease. Judging the figure to be unfairly based on the club's relinquished professional status, the club chairman refused to pay this amount and instead moved the senior side to Treforest FC's ground near Pontypridd from January 2005 to May 2006. During the absence, a number of staunch supporters formed breakaway side Barry FC – the culmination of a series of disputes with chairman Stuart Lovering, who had banned them from fundraising at the ground. With Town relegated to its lowest-ever league status at the end of the 2005-06 season, the future appeared bleak for this fallen giant of Welsh football.
Resurgence
While chaos reigned off the field for much of the decade, new manager Gavin Chesterfield helped lead Barry back to Welsh League Division One in 2008, with the hope that a winning run of form in the second tier, back at Jenner Park, would see the club's dwindling support return. After stumbling early on, Barry enjoyed a 21-match unbeaten streak and finished the season a credible third. In December 2008, a crisis meeting at Jenner Park saw supporters come forward to pledge their commitment to operating the first team, while Lovering focused on finding a new owner. In one of a number of close calls, the club appeared on the verge of being sold in 2010, when Shamrock Coaches owner Clayton Jones appeared to strike a deal. However, this fell through at the eleventh hour, scuppering a plan to bring in former Wales international John Hartson as a possible director of football.
May 2011 then saw Lovering announce his intent of withdrawing the first team from higher league football. To prevent this, the BTSC agreed to take on the running of all football; resulting in what some supporters called the 'DIY football' era. A rejuvenated, fan-run Barry enjoyed their most successful Welsh Cup campaign in several seasons during 2011; defeating rivals Merthyr Town at Penydarren Park and winning away at Haverfordwest County in extra-time, before being narrowly beaten 3–2 at Newport County.
2012 then marked the 100th anniversary of the club's formation, with a series of events lined up to mark this and the subsequent centenary season. To begin festivities, the BTSC hosted Cardiff City in an August fundraising friendly match attended by some 2,000 spectators. However, Lovering's threat to withdraw Barry from the Welsh Football League would intensify in the weeks prior, which threatened to cast a cloud over these celebrations. In November, the Barry Town Supporters Committee held a successful '100 Years of Barry Town' event at the Angel Hotel in Cardiff, before the first team beat champions Cambrian and Clydach on the date of the 100th anniversary.
In March 2013, following wins against Caerleon, Penrhyncoch, Ely Rangers and Pontardawe Town, Barry won 2–0 at Flint Town United to progress to the Welsh Cup semi-final for the first time in a decade. They lost 1-2 to eventual winners Prestatyn Town, but the match marked the first ever appearance of a fully amateur Barry side at that stage.
Restart
On 7 May 2013, Lovering inexplicably withdrew the senior team from the Welsh Football League, against the will of the BTSC, players and supporters, who were ready, willing and able to fulfill the remaining two fixtures. Rejecting this apparent act of sabotage, those running the football outlined their intentions to continue as they were, adopting the name of Barry Town United to emphasise their continuing unity and endeavour. However, a meeting of the FAW Council in Betws-y-Coed in June 2013 announced that the Barry side would have to play "recreational football" henceforth; a declaration that prompted significant public outcry locally and far further afield.
There appeared hope for beleaguered Barry when second meeting was arranged for July 2013 in Caersws to hear new evidence as why the team should be able to continue on at a Welsh League level. At this second gathering, 15 of the FAW Councillors voted not even to discuss the club's future, thus concluding the meeting in no more than five minutes and at considerable expense. Notably, it emerged that this decision went against the recommendations of the FAW's own Domestic Committee and legal team
With their immediate and long-term future unclear, Barry began their pre-season with wins at Moreton and Elmore that same month, followed by a narrow 3-2 loss to Premiership newcomers Cardiff City, watched by a home crowd of 1,650 supporters on Saturday 27 July. Remarkably, given the bizarre set of circumstances, Barry had led 2-1 at the break.
Eventually, justice was done as a High Court judge in Cardiff ruled in favour of Barry Town United; stating that the FAW had acted unlawfully in denying them their licence to play Welsh League football in 2013-14. As a result, the fan-run Town side was entered back into the structure.
In the years that have followed, Barry would win two consecutive league titles, reclaiming their place as a top tier Welsh League side, while continuing to develop as a club, on and off the pitch. 2015-16 will see the Town field sides at senior, youth and junior levels, along with two ladies' sides and pan disability teams in the over and under 16 age groups.
Current Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Coaching Staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Manager |  Gavin Chesterfield
|
| Assistant Manager | Damon Searle
|
| Coach | Mike Cosslett
|
| Coach | Damian Flynn
|
| Physiotherapist | Ben Clinton
|
| Performance Analyst | Joshua Morris
|
| Kit Manager | Matthew Case
|
Colours
For many decades, Barry wore green as their primary colour – thought to be due to early club officials securing the club's first kit from Plymouth Argyle. On being forced into exile in 1992, Barri adopted a red and white 'Dragons' kit, which would remain with them on their return to the Welsh pyramid. It was the following season that the club adopted its yellow change kit (deemed lucky for the success it brought in Welsh Cup competition) as the Barry home strip - and it is this colour that has become most synonymous with Barry Town football, with typical variations including uses of blue.
Two of the club's most memorable home strips are the fluorescent lime and navy ordered in error in 2006, and the experimental claret and blue kit worn in the early 1970s – both of which saw the club simultaneously plummet in footballing fortune. Nowadays, the club tends to wear yellow at home and green on the road.
     Green and white Linnets strip, worn with longevity by various Barry sides. |
 Green and blue Linnets strip, colour co-ordinated with Jenner Park seating. |
Red Barri Dragons strip, worn in exile and on return to the Welsh pyramid. |
Yellow Dragons strip, adopted from cup kit, associated with 90s success. |
Fluorescent lime Dragons strip, worn in descent to lowest ever league status. |
Claret and blue Linnets strip, worn in the club's worst ever season.
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Stadium
Jenner Park occupies the space of land between Gladstone Road and Barry Road and has been the home of Barry football since 1912, when given as a gift by the Jenner family. Initially starting with two wooden stands, popular bank terracing was added in 1923, but years of battling with financial problems saw the ground deteriorate.
During the 1980s, however, the local council rebuilt Jenner Park, installing a synthetic running track, a new grandstand and floodlights. Then, in order to bring Jenner Park up to UEFA standards, a second stand was built in 1996, increasing the seating capacity to 2,500. In addition, a new hospitality complex was constructed along with new dressing rooms, floodlights and clubhouse.
Jenner Park hosted floodlit football as early as 1949-50, with Barry hosting three floodlit friendlies that season, years ahead of most other clubs. Since then, the ground has also hosted marquee matches at various levels, including under-21, schoolboy, university and women's internationals.
Championships
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Southern League (Welsh)
1920–21
Welsh Premier
1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03
Welsh Football League
Division One
1982–83, 1983–84, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1988–89, 1993–94
Division Two
1951–52, 1957–58, 2014-15
Division Three
2013-14
Barry & District League
1992–93
Championship seasons
| Year | League | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Manager | Goalkeeper | Top Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1920–21 | Southern League | 20 | 13 | 4 | 3 | 35 | 12 | +23 | 30 | Syd Beaumont | Bill Bowen | Bill Saunders |
| 1982–83 | WL Division 1 | 34 | 26 | 3 | 5 | 103 | 35 | +68 | 55 | Alan Harrington | John Macey | Steve Williams |
| 1983–84 | WL Division 1 | 30 | 21 | 5 | 4 | 85 | 24 | +61 | 47 | Les Dickerson | Matt Simpson | Steve Williams |
| 1984–85 | WL Division 1 | 32 | 21 | 8 | 3 | 91 | 29 | +62 | 71 | Les Dickerson | Trevor Nott | Steve Williams |
| 1985–86 | WL Division 1 | 32 | 23 | 9 | 0 | 84 | 26 | +58 | 78 | Richie Morgan | Trevor Nott | Martin Goldsmith |
| 1986–87 | WL Division 1 | 32 | 26 | 5 | 1 | 81 | 20 | +61 | 83 | Richie Morgan | Chris Sander | Martin Goldsmith |
| 1988–89 | WL Division 1 | 32 | 28 | 4 | 0 | 96 | 20 | +76 | 88 | Mel Donovan | Chris Sander | Paul Evans |
| 1993–94 | WL Division 1 | 34 | 27 | 4 | 3 | 94 | 28 | +66 | 85 | Andy Beattie | Steve Morris | Dai Withers |
| 1995–96 | Welsh Premier | 40 | 30 | 7 | 3 | 92 | 23 | +69 | 97 | Paul Giles | Mark Ovendale | Paul Hunter |
| 1996–97 | Welsh Premier | 40 | 33 | 6 | 1 | 129 | 26 | +103 | 105 | Gary Barnett | Mark Ovendale | Tony Bird |
| 1997–98 | Welsh Premier | 38 | 33 | 5 | 0 | 134 | 31 | +103 | 104 | Gary Barnett | Mark Ovendale | Eifion Williams |
| 1998–99 | Welsh Premier | 32 | 23 | 7 | 2 | 82 | 23 | +59 | 76 | Gary Barnett | Dave Wells | Eifion Williams |
| 2000–01 | Welsh Premier | 34 | 24 | 5 | 5 | 84 | 30 | +54 | 77 | Peter Nicholas | Kendall, Tucker | Jamie Moralee |
| 2001–02 | Welsh Premier | 34 | 23 | 8 | 3 | 82 | 29 | +53 | 77 | Kenny Brown | Forde, Rayner | Jamie Moralee |
| 2002–03 | Welsh Premier | 34 | 26 | 5 | 3 | 84 | 26 | +58 | 83 | Kenny Brown | Abi Baruwa | Jamie Moralee |
| 2013–14 | WL Division 3 | 36 | 29 | 3 | 4 | 116 | 29 | +87 | 90 | Gavin Chesterfield | Dan Bradley | Jordan Cotterill |
| 2014–15 | WL Division 2 | 30 | 22 | 6 | 2 | 77 | 32 | +45 | 72 | Gavin Chesterfield | Dan Bradley | TJ Nagi |
Championship play-offs
| Season | Competition | Date | Country | Club | Score | Scorers | Attendance | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1920–21 | Southern League | 22/09/21
19/10/21 |
|
Brighton & Hove Albion | 1–1
1–2 |
Saunders
Beaumont |
2,000
Unknown |
Millwall |
Trophies
Welsh Cup
1954–55, 1993–94, 1996–97, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03
Welsh League Cup
1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000
FAW Premier Cup
1998–99
FAW Trophy
1993–94
Welsh Football League Cup
1934–35, 1946–47, 1978–79, 1982–83, 1986–87, 1993/94
South Wales Senior Cup
1925–26, 1926–27, 1937–38, 1938–39, 1952–53, 1953–54, 1958–59, 1959–60, 1965–66, 1975–76, 1977–78, 1983–84, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1991–92
West Wales Senior Cup
1927–28
ASRS Cup
1913–14
Cup finals
| Season | Competition | Date | Country | Club | Score | Scorers | Attendance | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1913–14 | ASRS Cup | 30/04/14 |
|
Cadoxton Old Boys | 2–1 | Green (P), Farmer | Unknown | Barry |
| 1926–27 | South Wales Senior Cup | 02/05/27 |
|
Ebbw Vale | 4–0 | Brittan (2), Cowie (2, 1P) | Unknown | Barry |
| 1927–28 | West Wales Senior Cup | Unknown |
|
Swansea Town | 3–0 | Condon, Brown, B. Davies | Unknown | Barry |
| 1929–30 | Welsh League Cup | 28/04/30 |
|
Llanelly | 0–1 | N/A | Unknown | Barry |
| 1934–35 | Welsh League Cup | Unknown |
|
Gelli Colliery | 2–0 | Unknown | Unknown | Treorchy |
| 1935–36 | South Wales Senior Cup | 09/05/36 |
|
Swansea Town | 3–0 | Whitlow (2), Carless | 4,500 | Barry |
| 1937–38 | South Wales Senior Cup | 07/05/38 |
|
Lovells Athletic | 3–0 | Carless (2), W. Jones | 3,000 | Barry |
| 1938–39 | South Wales Senior Cup | 03/05/39 |
|
Swansea Town | 2–0 | Carless, Green | 4,000 | Barry |
| 1946–47 | Welsh League Cup | 05/10/46 |
|
Milford United | 1–0 | Clayton | Unknown | Haverfordwest |
| 1952–53 | South Wales Senior Cup | 09/05/53 |
|
Cardiff City | 3–0 | Richards, Tapscott, Dyke | 4,500 | Barry |
| 1953–54 | South Wales Senior Cup | 08/05/54 |
|
Tonyrefail | 7–0 | Dyke (2), Allen, Powell, Foxton, Richards, Bright | 2,600 | Barry |
| 1954–55 | Welsh Cup | 15/05/55
19/05/55 |
|
Chester City | 1–1
4–3 (R) |
Niblett
Niblett (2), Goodfellow, Dyke |
6,766
8,450 |
Wrexham |
| 1958–59 | South Wales Senior Cup | 09/05/59 |
|
Gwynfi Welfare | 3–2 | Sheffield (2), Bowkett | Unknown | Ton Pentre |
| 1959–60 | South Wales Senior Cup | 07/05/60
29/08/60 |
|
Ton Pentre | 2–2 (A)
1–0 (H) |
Sheffield, Loader | Unknown
Unknown |
Ton Pentre |
| 1965–66 | South Wales Senior Cup | 23/08/66
07/09/66 |
|
Abergavenny | 3–2 (A)
2–0 (H) |
Clark (2), Watkins
Curtin, Bright |
Unknown
Unknown |
Abergavenny |
| 1975–76 | South Wales Senior Cup | 27/04/76
03/05/76 |
|
Ferndale Athletic | 1–1 (H)
2–1 (A) |
D. Batt
Evans (2) |
Unknown
Unknown |
Barry |
| 1976–77 | South Wales Senior Cup | 16/05/77
23/05/77 |
|
Merthyr Tydfil | 3–3 (H)
1–2 (A) |
Ayres, D. Batt, Smith
Ayres |
Unknown
Unknown |
Barry |
| 1977–78 | South Wales Senior Cup | 15/05/78
18/05/78 |
|
Cardiff City | 2–0 (H)
2–0 (A) |
D. Batt, Hancock
D. Batt, Ayres |
Unknown
Unknown |
Barry |
| 1978–79 | Welsh League Cup | Unknown |
|
Pontllanfraith | 0–0 AET (5–4 pens) | N/A | Unknown | Ton Pentre |
| 1982–83 | Welsh Football League Cup | 24/03/83 |
|
Merthyr Tydfil | 2–1 | Green, Griffiths | Unknown | Bridgend |
| 1983–84 | South Wales Senior Cup | 30/04/84
05/05/84 |
|
Ton Pentre | 7–1 (H)
2–1 (A) |
Redwood (3P), Foley (2), McNeil, Griffiths
Redwood (P), Smith |
Unknown
Unknown |
Barry |
| 1986–87 | Welsh League Cup | 30/04/87 |
|
AFC Cardiff | 2–0 | Waddle, Giles | Unknown | Maesteg |
| 1986–87 | South Wales Senior Cup | 18/05/87
21/05/87 |
|
Ton Pentre | 2–0 (N)
2–1 (A) |
Sullivan, Randall
Dowd, Smith |
Unknown
Unknown |
Cardiff |
| 1987–88 | Welsh League Cup | 07/04/88 |
|
Bridgend Town | 0–2 | N/A | Unknown | Ton Pentre |
| 1987–88 | South Wales Senior Cup | 07/05/88
14/05/88 |
|
Cardiff City | 3–0 (H)
2–1 (A) |
Davies (2), Preece
Davies, Pontin |
Unknown
Unknown |
Barry |
| 1988–89 | Welsh League Cup | 09/05/89 |
|
Haverfordwest County | 0–3 | N/A | Unknown | Ebbw Vale |
| 1991–92 | South Wales Senior Cup | 06/05/92 |
|
Maesteg Park | 2–1 | Ph. Evans, R. John | 210 | Bridgend |
| 1993–94 | FAW Trophy | 07/05/94 |
|
Aberaman Athletic | 2–1 | Sanderson, Threlfall | Unknown | Porth |
| 1993–94 | Welsh Cup | 15/05/94 |
|
Cardiff City | 2–1 | D'Auria, Hough | 16,000 | Cardiff |
| 1993–94 | Welsh League Cup | 17/05/94 |
|
Treowen Stars | 4–1 | Wimbleton (2), Sanderson (2) | Unknown | Bridgend |
| 1995–96 | Welsh Cup | 19/05/96 |
|
Llansantffraid | 3–3 AET (2–4 pens) | Lloyd, Pike, Bird | 3,500 | Cardiff |
| 1996–97 | League of Wales Cup | 10/05/97 |
|
Bangor City | 2–2 AET (4–2 pens) | Ryan (2) | 1,000 | Aberystwyth |
| 1996–97 | Welsh Cup | 18/05/97 |
|
Cwmbran Town | 2–1 | Griffith (2) | 1,590 | Cardiff |
| 1997–98 | League of Wales Cup | 04/05/97 |
|
Bangor City | 1–1 AET (5–4 pens) | Jones (P) | 1,000 | Bangor |
| 1998–99 | League of Wales Cup | 03/05/99 |
|
Caernarfon Town | 3–0 | Jones (3) | Unknown | Aberystwyth |
| 1998–99 | FAW Premier Cup | 23/05/99 |
|
Wrexham | 2–1 | Perry, Barrow | 3,142 | Wrexham |
| 1999–00 | Welsh League Cup | 01/05/00 |
|
Bangor City | 6–0 | Jones, P. Evans, Perry (2), Ja. Jenkins | Unknown | Aberystwyth |
| 2000–01 | Welsh League Cup | 07/05/01 |
|
Caersws | 0–2 | N/A | 820 | Aberystwyth |
| 2000–01 | Welsh Cup | 25/05/01 |
|
TNS | 2–0 | Moralee, Lloyd | 1,022 | Wrexham |
| 2001–02 | Welsh Cup | 05/05/02 |
|
Bangor City | 4–1 | Moralee (2), French, Flynn | 2,560 | Aberystwyth |
| 2002–03 | Welsh Cup | 11/05/03 |
|
Cwmbran Town | 2–2 AET (4–3 pens) | Ramasut (P), Phillips | 852 | Llanelli |
Awards
BBC Wales Sport Team of the Year
1996
European competition
Barry Town have played in 24 competitive matches in European competitions; in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup and Cup Winners Cup. The team has won three full ties, against opposition from Latvia, Hungary and Azerbaijan, in addition to single victories against FC Porto and Vardar Skopje. They scored 21 goals, and four shoot-out penalties.
| Season | Competition | Round | Date | Country | Club | Score | Scorers | Attendance | City |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994/95 | Cup Winners Cup | Q | 11/08/94
25/08/94 |
|
Žalgiris Vilnius | 0–1
0–6 |
N/A
N/A |
1,914
2,900 |
Cardiff |
| 1996/97 | UEFA Cup | 1Q | 17/07/96
24/07/96 |
|
Dinaburg | 0–0
2–1 |
N/A
Pike, T. Evans |
2,500
2,250 |
Barry |
| 1996/97 | UEFA Cup | 2Q | 06/08/96
20/08/96 |
|
Budapest Vasutas | 1–3
3–1 (4–2 pens) |
T. Evans
Pike (P), O' Gorman, C. Evans |
2,000
2,500 |
Budapest |
| 1996/97 | UEFA Cup | 1R | 10/09/96
24/09/96 |
|
Aberdeen | 1–3
3–3 |
Jones | 13,500
6,500 |
Aberdeen |
| 1997/98 | Champions League | 1Q | 23/07/97
30/07/97 |
|
Dynamo Kyiv | 0–2
0–4 |
N/A
N/A |
12,000
2,380 |
Kiev |
| 1998/99 | Champions League | 1Q | 22/07/98
29/07/98 |
|
Dynamo Kyiv | 0–8
1–2 |
N/A | 11,800
890 |
Kiev |
| 1999/00 | Champions League | 1Q | 13/07/99
21/07/99 |
|
Valletta | 0–0
2–3 |
N/A
Sloan (2) |
2,005
2,996 |
Barry |
| 2000/01 | UEFA Cup | Q | 10/08/00
24/08/00 |
|
Boavista | 0–2
0–3 |
N/A
N/A |
3,039
1,372 |
Oporto |
| 2001/02 | Champions League | 1Q | 11/07/01
18/07/01 |
|
FK Shamkir | 2–0
1–0 |
York, French | 1,992
7,000 |
Barry |
| 2001/02 | Champions League | 2Q | 25/07/00
01/08/00 |
|
FC Porto | 0–8
3–1 |
N/A | 55,000
2,377 |
Oporto |
| 2002/03 | Champions League | 1Q | 17/07/02
24/07/02 |
|
Skonto Riga | 0–5
0–1 |
N/A
N/A |
3,500
1,507 |
Riga |
| 2003/04 | Champions League | 1Q | 16/07/03
23/07/03 |
|
Vardar Skopje | 0–3
2–1 |
N/A | 5,000
1,400 |
Skopje |
FA Cup qualification
Barry Town competed regularly in the FA Cup, prior to 1993. The table below denotes the occasions on which the team progressed through the qualifying rounds to the first round. Barry's sole second round appearance came in 1929 against Brighton and Hove Albion, after a replay win over Dagenham at Upton Park, home of West Ham United.
| Season | Date | Round | Country | Club | Score | Scorers | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1929–30 | 30/11/29
04/12/29 |
1 |
|
Dagenham | 0–0
1–0 |
N/A
Jones |
Unknown
6,000 |
| 1929–30 | 14/12/29 | 2 |
|
Brighton & Hove Albion | 1–4 | Ward | Unknown |
| 1934–35 | 24/11/35 | 1 |
|
Northampton Town | 0–1 | N/A | 5,327 |
| 1951–52 | 24/11/52 | 1 |
|
Newport County | 0–4 | N/A | 11,844 |
| 1961–62 | 04/11/62
07/11/62 |
1 |
|
Queen's Park Rangers | 1–1
0–7 |
Sheffield
N/A |
7,000
11,328 |
| 1984–85 | 17/11/84 | 1 |
|
Reading | 1–2 | Love | 3,850 |
Team records
|
Record wins
|
Record defeats
|
High-scoring matches
|
Other notable opponents
Top flight clubs (non-domestic) that have matches played against Barry Town, previously unlisted.
|
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Full internationals
|
|
|
|
|
Hall of Fame
The club's Hall of Fame was established by the Barry Town Supporters Committee in the 2011/12 season to celebrate the achievements of past players, managers and other influential figures. Further additions are set to be made each year.
| Year | Name | Position | Significant achievements | Years of service | Other notable clubs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012/13 | Chris Mason | Defender | A POW in WW2, amassed 400+ appearances either side of war. | 1937–1951 | |
| 2012/13 | Ashley Griffiths | Defender | 22-year association, appearances in finals, Europe and FA Cup | 1973–2005 | Bristol Rovers |
| 2012/13 | Neil O' Halloran | Various | Player, boss and chairman, launched an era of success | 1958–1996 | Newport County, Cardiff City |
| 2012/13 | Charlie Dyke | Midfielder | Welsh Cup winner in 1955, associated with club forty years on. | 1951–1964 | Chelsea FC |
| 2012/13 | The Batt Bros | Various | John/"Percy" and Richard/"Dicky", the club's most famous siblings. | 1972–1980 | Merthyr Tydfil |
| 2012/13 | Bill Bowen | Goalkeeper | Goalkeeper, manager and secretary in inaugural era of success. | 1919–1927 | |
| 2012/13 | Derek Tapscott | Midfielder | Barry-born Welsh international who found fame with Arsenal. | 1949–1953 | Arsenal FC, Cardiff City |
| 2011/12 | Bill Jones | Manager | Manager in the golden 1950s, played before and after war. | 1934–1953 | Notts County, Worcester City |
| 2011/12 | Mark Ovendale | Goalkeeper | Record-setting keeper, 1000+ league minutes without conceding. | 1995–1998, 2003 | AFC Bournemouth, Luton Town |
| 2011/12 | Eifion Williams | Forward | Record signing, dynamic first Champions League goalscorer. | 1997, 1999 | Torquay United, Hartlepool United |
| 2011/12 | Fred Whitlow | Forward | Three stints, with two-season spell of 13 hat-tricks and 100+ goals. | 1922–23, 24–25, 35–37 | Charlton Athletic, Exeter City |
| 2011/12 | Ernie Carless | Forward | Barry-born footballer and cricketer, played in four decades. | 1929–1953 | Cardiff City, Plymouth Argyle |
| 2011/12 | Dai Ward Snr. | Forward | Top marksman for eight seasons with over 300 goals. | 1926–1935 | Cardiff City, Newport County |
| 2011/12 | Johnny Gardner | Defender | 500+ appearances, including in FA Cup first and second rounds. | 1921–1932 | |
| 2011/12 | Clive Ayres | Forward | Goalscorer. 46 goals in one season and three straight hat-tricks. | 1972–1978 | Cheltenham Town |
| 2011/12 | Basil Bright | Manager | One-man dynasty as player/coach, signed many key players. | 1951, 1952–67, 1971–78 | Stoke City, Tottenham Hotspur |
| 2011/12 | Stan Richards | Forward | 130 goals in 174 outings, set scoring records everywhere. | 1952–1955 | Cardiff City, Swansea City |
| 2011/12 | Gwilym Cain | Forward | Dubbed 'Cannonball' for penalty prowess, scored over 150 goals. | 1947–1956, 1960 | Cardiff City, Haverfordwest County |
| 2011/12 | Stanley Cowie | Defender | Key part of Barry's only Southern League title-winning side. | 1920–1927 | Blackpool FC, Exeter City |
| 2012/13 | Steve Williams | Forward | Trophy-winning goalscorer, netting 166 times in 230 appearances. | 1982–85, 89–90, 94–95 | Bristol Rovers, Bideford AFC |
| 2012/13 | Gary Barnett | Manager | Player-manager for European wins, brought passing philosophy | 1996–99 | Coventry City, Fulham |
| 2012/13 | Gary Lloyd | Defender | Free-kick specialist, with European appearances and Wales call-up | 1994–2003 | Llanelli AFC , Carmarthen Town |
| 2012/13 | Ken Gully | Forward | Prolific Barry goalscorer in Welsh and English leagues alike. | 1960–65 | Kettering Town |
| 2012/13 | Mike Cosslett | Defender | Defender and coach, 38-year association with the club. | 1974– | Aberystwyth Town , Weymouth F.C. |
| 2012/13 | Bobby Smith | Midfielder | True clubman, over 500+ outings across a 20-year stint. | 1975–94 | |
| 2013/14 | Billy Jennings | Manager | First Barrian to be capped for Wales, managed Barry twice. | 1930–49 | Bolton Wanderers, Cardiff City |
| 2013/14 | Derek Redwood | Defender | All-time leading penalty taker, won much silverware in the 1980s. | 1980s |
Other information
- The book The Linnets – An Illustrated, Narrative History of Barry Town AFC, 1888–1993 by Jeff McInery was published in 1994, and is available locally.
- A number of fanzines devoted to the club have been published over the years, including The Unofficial Programme, 38 Hours From Vilnius, and Yma O Hyd.
- Journalist and Manic Street Preachers biographer Simon Price, Vale of Glamorgan MP Alun Cairns and Plaid Cymru councillor Dr. Ian Johnson are all known to be Barry Town United supporters, as is the Barry-born weather forecaster Derek Brockway and PGA professional Simon Cox.
External links
References
- McInery, Jeff (1993). The Linnets – An Illustrated, Narrative History of Barry Town AFC, 1888–1993. Nomad Books. ISBN 9780952284604.
- Grandin, Terry (1998). Red Dragons in Europe, 1961–1998 – A Complete Record. Desert Island Books. ISBN 1-874287-01-5.
