Barry Town United F.C.
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| Full name | Barry Town United Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Dragons, Linnets, Town | ||
| Founded | 1912 (as Barry AFC) | ||
| Ground | Jenner Park, Barry | ||
| Capacity | 2,000 | ||
| Manager | Gavin Chesterfield | ||
| League | MacWhirter Welsh League Division Two | ||
| 2013–14 | MacWhirter Welsh League Division Three, 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 best known for representing Wales in Europe as winners of the Welsh Premier League and Welsh Cup during the 1990s and early 2000s. They also have considerable history in England's Southern League and FA Cup. The team, which has contained over 50 full international over the years, is now run by supporters. They play at Jenner Park, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, where their ground accommodates 3,000 spectators (2,000 seated). 2013/14 is the team's centenary season.
History
Formation & Early Years
Barry Town United's history dates back to 1892 when a club entitled Barry and Cadoxton District was formed in the area. During the early years, the club endured many upheavals, playing on five different grounds and variously being known as Barry Unionist Athletic, Barry United Athletic and Barry District.
In November 1912, the club reformed as Barry AFC (the 'Town' suffix was added in 1931), secured a lease on land owned by the Jenner family (which became known as Jenner Park) and joined the Southern League.
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, in a game marked by a host of missed chances.
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.
During that time they enjoyed the a number of runs in the FA Cup.
1960-1990
In 1961–62, Barry drew Queens Park Rangers in the first round and held their illustrious opponents to a 1–1 draw at home, before losing the replay in London. In the 1984–85 season meanwhile they enjoyed more cup success before bowing out 2–1 to Reading in the first round proper, at a packed Jenner Park. However, for many years Barry's finest hour was its 1955 Welsh Cup final triumph over Chester City.
Throughout its proud history, the club (known variously as the Linnets and then the Dragons) has had around 50 internationals on its books, including Bengt Berndtsson of Sweden and Hannu Kankkonen of Finland in the late 1950s, while numerous others have left to pursue successful careers in the Football League. Among the most famous was local boy Derek Tapscott who signed for Arsenal in 1953 for £2,750, while Charlie Dyke made a name for himself with London neighbours Chelsea.
90's
One of the club's most turbulent times occurred in 1992, when Barry Town were exiled for their decision not to join the newly formed League of Wales (now Welsh Premier League). As part of a group of rebel clubs known as the 'Irate Eight', they were forced into exile, going under the name Barri Dragons and sharing the ground of Worcester City. However, this period would be fleeting when the club owners the O'Halloran family announced a surprise u-turn and brought the club into the Welsh pyramid in the spring of 1993.
Their return would spark arguably the club's greatest period of success. 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.
New Millennium
In the 2000–01 season Barry 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 the Portuguese giants FC Porto. Barry lost the first leg in Portugal by a humiliating 8–0 margin, after conceding two early penalties in front of a partisan 55,000 crowd. Barry would restore pride though by winning the home leg 3–1.
However, despite great success at home and abroad, the club struggled to attract support – even in their late 1990s heyday, crowds would rarely surpass the 500-mark. With professional wages to pay, Barry were forced to cut cloth, and their fight to maintain a successful squad while staying financially healthy was eventually futile.
After the departure of chairperson Paula O' Halloran, 'football troubleshooter' Kevin Green came in as the new chief executive, yet his varying initiatives failed to stop the rot. Green brought in English international footballer and celebrity John Fashanu as the club's high-profile new chairman in the winter of 2002. Many saw Fashanu as the missing piece of the jigsaw, and the man who would sustain Barry's success into the future. 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's 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.
Decline & Turmoil
In the summer of 2003 the club went into administration with debts approaching £1 million. On 25 August 2003 the players and manager were locked out of Jenner Park (having been unpaid since early June). A new management was appointed together with an amateur team mostly drawn from N & M Construction of the South Wales Amateur League Division 2 (five levels below the Welsh Premier). Within a month, Barry Town had gone from winning in Europe to losing 8–0 at Caernarfon Town. The professional-era bubble had well and truly burst. Fans set about trying to raise money to keep the club alive. Eventually, local man Stuart Lovering paid £125,000 to write off Barry's debts as part of a Creditors' Voluntary Agreement and, in turn, seized control of the club on 10 December 2003.
A difficult season followed, with a first league win not coming until February 2004 when Barry beat fellow strugglers Welshpool Town 5–4 with a 98th-minute winning penalty from youngster Luke Sherbon. Experienced coach Colin Addison was brought in resuscitate the team's ailing fortunes, yet the Dragons still ended up bottom of the division, 4 points off safety, and were relegated to the Welsh League Division One. Addison was replaced as manager on the eve of the new campaign with assistant David Hughes, who himself had had a spell in charge the previous year. Meantime, an independent district valuer had determined that the club would have to pay an astonishing £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 decided they were unable to pay this amount and instead played out of Treforest FC's ground near Pontypridd from January 2005 to May 2006.
A second relegation in three years saw Barry Town drop to the third tier in Welsh domestic football – their lowest ever league status. A return to Jenner Park has been the basis for new youth developments. However, crowds are at a low, with many of the staunch supporters of yore exiled to breakaway side Barry F.C. – the result of a series of disputes with chairman Stuart Lovering, who had banned them from fund raising at the ground.
The first team meanwhile, under new manager Gavin Chesterfield, earned promotion back to Welsh League Division One in 2008, with the hope that a winning run of form in the second tier would see support return. After stumbling early on, Barry enjoyed a 21-match unbeaten streak and finished the season in a credible third. As a result, attendances briefly increased. However, the failure of the club to be sold resulted in Chesterfield eventually leaving for Welsh Premier side Haverfordwest County. There is underlying hope that the glory days will one day return to this sleeping giant of Welsh football. However, a decade of turbulence has left Barry requiring new investment to push forward – coupled with renewed enthusiasm from a support base largely disenfranchised by the current owner.
In autumn 2008, owner Stuart Lovering announced his intention to sell the club once a new investor or administrative team could be found. In November, A December crisis meeting saw supporters come forward to fund and run the first team while Lovering continued to focus on finding a new owner. In early 2010, the club appeared on the verge of being sold, when Shamrock Coaches owner Clayton Jones appeared to strike a deal with Lovering. However, this fell through at the eleventh hour. Former Wales international John Hartson had been linked to the club as a possible director of football should the sale go through.
In May 2011, the football club was again put up for sale by Lovering. In the meantime, the Barry Town Supporters Committee took over the funding and running of the football side. In the Autumn of 2011, Barry Town enjoyed their most successful Welsh Cup campaign in several seasons; defeating rivals Merthyr Town at Penydarren Park and winning away at Haverfordwest County in extra-time, before the Dragons were narrowly beaten 3–2 at Conference National outfit Newport County.
2012 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, Stuart Lovering's threat in October to withdraw Barry from the Welsh Football League (making himself club secretary to do so) threatened set 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, after 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 although the match marked the first ever appearance of a fully amateur Barry side at that stage of the competition.
Restart
On 7 May 2013, Stuart Lovering inexplicably withdrew the team from the Welsh Football League, against the will of the BTSC, players and supporters, who were ready and willing to fulfil the remaining two fixtures.
After the BTSC outlined their intentions to play again next season, adopting the name of Barry Town United to emphasise their continuing unity and endeavour, a meeting of the FAW Council in Betws-y-Coed in June 2013 announced that they would instead have to play "recreational football" henceforth.
After significant public outcry, a second meeting was arranged for July 2013 in Caersws to hear new evidence as why the BTSC should be able to continue at Welsh League level. At this second meeting, 15 of the FAW Councillors voted not even to discuss the club's future, thus concluding the meeting within five minutes, at considerable expense.
The outcomes of both meetings went against the recommendations of the FAW's own Domestic Committee and legal team.
With their future unclear, the Barry team 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. Barry had remarkably led 2-1 at the break.
On 9 August, a High Court judge in Cardiff ruled in favour of Barry Town United, saying that the FAW had acted unlawfully in denying Barry their licence. Barry were entered back into the Welsh League, along with a reformed Llanelli club that also benefited from the High Court decision.
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.
Colours
For many decades, Barry Town wore green as their primary colour – thought to be due to early club officials securing the club's first kit from Plymouth Argyle. However, after a brief transitional season in red on returning to the Welsh pyramid, they adopted their yellow change kit (deemed lucky for the success it brought in Welsh Cup competition) as the club's home strip. It is this colour that has become most synonymous with Barry Town, 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 the late 2000s (decade), and the experimental claret and blue kit worn in the early 1970s – both of which saw the club simultaneously plummet in footballing fortune.
     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 and white Dragons strip, worn 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. |
Players
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Full international for Pakistan, Bashir missed the whole of last season due to injury.
Post-War managers
| Name | Nat | From | To | P | W | D | L | F | A | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harry Blondell | |
1945 | 1947 | P 78 | W 34 | D 15 | L 29 | F 209 | A 160 | PTS 54 |
| Leslie Jones | |
1947 | 1948 | P 44 | W 17 | D 9 | L 18 | F 95 | A 81 | PTS 29 |
| Bill Jennings | |
1948 | 1948 | P 22 | W 5 | D 6 | L 10 | F 36 | A 52 | PTS 12 |
| Harry Blondell (2) | |
1948 | 1951 | P 119 | W 41 | D 23 | L 55 | F 179 | A 237 | PTS 88 |
| Bill Jones | |
1952 | 1954 | P 172 | W 78 | D 27 | L 67 | F 376 | A 340 | PTS 135 |
| Albert Gardner | |
1954 | 1955 | P 96 | W 37 | D 28 | L 31 | F 207 | A 168 | PTS 71 |
| Norman Low |  |
1956 | 1956 | P 4 | W 1 | D 0 | L 3 | F 9 | A 21 | PTS 2 |
| Albert Gardner (2) | |
1956 | 1956 | P 43 | W 13 | D 12 | L 21 | F 86 | A 81 | PTS 28 |
| Maurice Lindley | |
1956 | 1956 | P 20 | W 5 | D 4 | L 11 | F 40 | A 56 | PTS 14 |
| Harry Haslam | |
1956 | 1960 | P 181 | W 56 | D 27 | L 97 | F 278 | A 404 | PTS 101 |
| Albert Gardner (3) | |
1960 | 1960 | P 20 | W 4 | D 2 | L 14 | F 19 | A 45 | PTS 9 |
| Bob Kelly | |
1960 | 1961 | P 31 | W 16 | D 4 | L 11 | F 52 | A 52 | PTS 34 |
| Alf Sherwood | |
1961 | 1963 | P 77 | W 23 | D 20 | L 34 | F 99 | A 120 | PTS 47 |
| Leslie Jones (2) | |
1963 | 1963 | P 32 | W 2 | D 7 | L 23 | F 30 | A 93 | PTS 6 |
| Reg Parker | |
1964 | 1964 | P 18 | W 2 | D 2 | L 14 | F 11 | A 55 | PTS 6 |
| Basil Bright | |
1964 | 1966 | P 125 | W 37 | D 24 | L 64 | F 171 | A 294 | PTS 79 |
| Neil O' Halloran | |
1966 | 1968 | P 59 | W 16 | D 15 | L 25 | F 88 | A 103 | PTS 36 |
| Marshall Raybould | |
1968 | 1968 | P 47 | W 7 | D 11 | L 28 | F 34 | A 82 | PTS 20 |
| Bobby Ferguson | |
1968 | 1969 | P 26 | W 7 | D 5 | L 14 | F 24 | A 38 | PTS 17 |
| John Rowland | |
1969 | 1970 | P 34 | W 10 | D 3 | L 21 | F 37 | A 61 | PTS 19 |
| Reg Parker (2) | |
1970 | 1970 | P 22 | W 4 | D 5 | L 13 | F 18 | A 42 | PTS 9 |
| Ken Burfitt | |
1970 | 1971 | P 32 | W 5 | D 7 | L 20 | F 28 | A 68 | PTS 12 |
| Reg Parker (3) | |
1971 | 1971 | P 15 | W 5 | D 2 | L 8 | F 14 | A 31 | PTS 12 |
| Basil Bright (2) | |
1971 | 1978 | P 365 | W 121 | D 79 | L 165 | F 486 | A 574 | PTS 230 |
| Emrys Evans | |
1978 | 1980 | P 119 | W 51 | D 33 | L 42 | F 185 | A 168 | PTS 110 |
| Alan Harrington | |
1980 | 1982 | P 111 | W 50 | D 30 | L 31 | F 137 | A 120 | PTS 141 |
| Les Dickerson | |
1982 | 1985 | P 143 | W 95 | D 25 | L 23 | F 391 | A 149 | PTS 213 |
| Richie Morgan | |
1985 | 1988 | P 125 | W 87 | D 22 | L 16 | F 323 | A 122 | PTS 191 |
| Mel Donovan | |
1988 | 1988 | P 72 | W 58 | D 7 | L 7 | F 185 | A 50 | PTS 138 |
| Tony Willcox | |
1989 | 1991 | P 128 | W 65 | D 25 | L 53 | F 209 | A 151 | PTS 138 |
| Ian Love | |
1991 | 1992 | P 58 | W 29 | D 9 | L 20 | F 117 | A 75 | PTS 67 |
| Roy Chisholm | |
1992 | 1993 | P 52 | W 29 | D 7 | L 16 | F 172 | A 45 | PTS 83 |
| Andy Beattie | |
1993 | 1994 | P 57 | W 48 | D 6 | L 3 | F 172 | A 45 | PTS 85 |
| Terry Boyle | |
1994 | 1994 | P 15 | W 5 | D 6 | L 8 | F 22 | A 32 | PTS 14 |
| John Lewis | |
1994 | 1995 | P 12 | W 3 | D 6 | L 3 | F 23 | A 21 | PTS 14 |
| Eddie May | |
1995 | 1995 | P 8 | W 3 | D 2 | L 3 | F 16 | A 3 | PTS 11 |
| Paul Giles | |
1995 | 1995 | P 9 | W 6 | D 1 | L 2 | F 17 | A 9 | PTS 19 |
| Eddie May (2) | |
1995 | 1995 | P 6 | W 3 | D 1 | L 2 | F 17 | A 9 | PTS 7 |
| Paul Giles (2) | |
1995 | 1996 | P 50 | W 38 | D 9 | L 3 | F 105 | A 28 | PTS 92 |
| Gary Barnett | |
1996 | 1999 | P 167 | W 116 | D 23 | L 16 | F 478 | A 141 | PTS 285 |
| Richard Jones | |
1999 | 2000 | P 55 | W 33 | D 13 | L 9 | F 139 | A 51 | PTS 74 |
| Peter Nicholas | |
2000 | 2001 | P 68 | W 46 | D 9 | L 11 | F 156 | A 71 | PTS 82 |
| Kenny Brown | |
2001 | 2003 | P 88 | W 62 | D 11 | L 15 | F 204 | A 86 | PTS 155 |
| Matthew Case | |
2003 | 2003 | P 3 | W 0 | D 0 | L 3 | F 0 | A 20 | PTS 0 |
| David Hughes | |
2003 | 2004 | P 20 | W 0 | D 4 | L 16 | F 12 | A 47 | PTS 4 |
| Colin Addison | |
2004 | 2004 | P 12 | W 3 | D 3 | L 6 | F 19 | A 24 | PTS 12 |
| David Hughes | |
2004 | 2005 | P 17 | W 13 | D 1 | L 3 | F 41 | A 41 | PTS 25 |
| Ashley Griffiths | |
2005 | 2005 | P 24 | W 6 | D 4 | L 14 | F 35 | A 42 | PTS 22 |
| Gavin Price | |
2005 | 2007 | P 65 | W 17 | D 13 | L 35 | F 70 | A 135 | PTS 61 |
| Geoff MacLean |  |
2007 | 2007 | P 10 | W 0 | D 2 | L 8 | F 6 | A 27 | PTS 2 |
| Gavin Chesterfield | |
2007 | 2010 | P 124 | W 66 | D 28 | L 31 | F 222 | A 132 | PTS 208 |
| Leon Dennis | |
2010 | 2011 | P 25 | W 7 | D 6 | L 12 | F 39 | A 57 | PTS 18 |
| Gavin Chesterfield (2) | |
2011 | present | P 113 | W 57 | D 16 | L 20 | F 275 | A 145 | PTS 178 |
Hall of Fame
The Barry Town Hall of Fame was established by the Barry Town Supporters Committee in the 2011/12 season to celebrate the achievements of Barry Town footballers. 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, who 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 | Rovers, BristolBristol Rovers |
| 2012/13 | Neil O' Halloran | Various | Player, boss and chairman, launched an era of success | 1958–1996 | County, NewportNewport County, City, CardiffCardiff City |
| 2012/13 | Charlie Dyke | Midfielder | Welsh Cup winner in 1955, associated with club forty years on. | 1951–1964 | FC, ChelseaChelsea FC |
| 2012/13 | The Batt Brothers | Various | John/"Percy" and Richard/"Dicky", the club's most famous siblings. | 1972–1980 | Tydfil, MerthyrMerthyr Tydfil |
| 2012/13 | Bill Bowen | Goalkeeper | Goalkeeper, manager and secretary in inaugural era of success. | 1919–1927 | |
| 2012/13 | Tapscott, DerekDerek Tapscott | Midfielder | Barry-born Welsh international who found fame with Arsenal. | 1949–1953 | FC, ArsenalArsenal FC, City, CardiffCardiff City |
| 2011/12 | Bill Jones | Manager | Manager in the golden 1950s, played before and after war. | 1934–1953 | County, NottsNotts County, City, WorcesterWorcester City, County, NewportNewport County, City, CardiffCardiff City |
| 2011/12 | Ovendale, MarkMark Ovendale | Goalkeeper | Record-setting keeper, 1000+ league minutes without conceding. | 1995–1998, 2003 | Bournemouth, AFCAFC Bournemouth, Town, LutonLuton Town |
| 2011/12 | Williams, EifionEifion Williams | Forward | Record signing, dynamic first Champions League goalscorer. | 1997, 1999 | United, TorquayTorquay United, United, HartlepoolHartlepool United |
| 2011/12 | Fred Whitlow | Forward | Three stints, with two-season spell of 13 hat-tricks and 100+ goals. | 1922–23, 1924–25, 1935–37 | Athletic, CharltonCharlton Athletic, City, ExeterExeter City |
| 2011/12 | Carless, ErnieErnie Carless | Forward | Barry-born footballer and cricketer, played in four decades. | 1929–1953 | City, CardiffCardiff City, Argyle, PlymouthPlymouth Argyle, , GlamorganGlamorgan |
| 2011/12 | Dai Ward Snr. | Forward | Top marksman for eight seasons with over 300 goals. | 1926–1935 | City, CardiffCardiff City, County, NewportNewport County |
| 2011/12 | Johnny Gardner | Defender | 500+ appearances, including in the FA Cup first and second rounds. | 1921–1932 | Cadoxton Old Boys |
| 2011/12 | Clive Ayres | Forward | Goalscorer, with 46 goals in a campaign and three straight hat-tricks. | 1972–1978 | Town, CheltenhamCheltenham Town |
| 2011/12 | Basil Bright | Manager | One-man dynasty as player/coach, signed many key players. | 1951, 1952–67, 1971–78 | City, StokeStoke City, Hotspur, TottenhamTottenham Hotspur, Town, IpswichIpswich Town |
| 2011/12 | Richards, StanStan Richards | Forward | 130 goals in 174 outings, set scoring records everywhere. | 1952–1955 | City, CardiffCardiff City, Town, SwanseaSwansea Town |
| 2011/12 | Gwilym Cain | Forward | Nicknamed 'Cannonball' for penalty prowess, scored over 150 goals. | 1947–1956, 1960 | City, CardiffCardiff City, County, HaverfordwestHaverfordwest County |
| 2011/12 | Cowie, StanleyStanley Cowie | Defender | Key part of Barry's first Southern League champs, before tragic death. | 1920–1927 | FC, BlackpoolBlackpool FC, City, ExeterExeter City |
| 2012/13 | Steve Williams | Forward | Trophy-winning goalscorer, netting 166 times in 230 appearances. | 1982–85, 1989–90, 1994–95 | Rovers, BristolBristol Rovers, AFC, BidefordBideford AFC |
| 2012/13 | Barnett, GaryGary Barnett | Manager | Player-manager for European wins, brought passing philosophy | 1996–99 | City, CoventryCoventry City, , FulhamFulham , , Oxford UnitedOxford United |
| 2012/13 | Gary Lloyd | Defender | Free-kick specialist, with European appearances and Wales call-up | 1994–2003 | , Llanelli A.F.C.Llanelli A.F.C. , , Carmarthen TownCarmarthen Town |
| 2012/13 | Ken Gully | Forward | Prolific goalscorer in both Welsh and English leagues. | 1960–65 | , Kettering TownKettering Town |
| 2012/13 | Mike Cosslett | Defender | Defender and coach, 38-year association with the club. | 1974– | , Aberystwyth TownAberystwyth Town , , Merthyr TydfilMerthyr Tydfil , , Weymouth F.C.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, went on to manage Barry twice. | 1930–49 | Wanderers, BoltonBolton Wanderers, City, CardiffCardiff City |
| 2013/14 | Derek Redwood | Defender | The club's all-time leading penalty taker, who won silverware in the 1980s. | 1980s |
Full international caps
Coordinates: 51°24′43″N 3°15′54″W / 51.412°N 3.265°W
| Jenner Park | |
|---|---|
| Home of Barry Town | |
  Jenner Park Location in Barry | |
 Jenner Park Location in the Vale of Glamorgan | |
| Coordinates: 51°24′43.2″N 3°15′54″W / 51.412000°N 3.26500°W | |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Region | Wales |
| County | Vale of Glamorgan |
| Town | Barry |
| Time zone | GMT (UTC+0) |
‘’Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Other overseas players
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Uncapped Football League players
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Home 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.
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. Since then, the ground has international matches at various levels, including under-21 and women's ties.
Interestingly, Jenner Park had hosted floodlit football as early as the late-1940s, with Barry Town hosting three floodlit friendlies in the 1949/50 season – some years ahead of most other clubs.
Championships
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 (first team)
| Year | League | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Manager | Goalkeeper | Top Scorer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1920–21 | Southern League (Welsh) | 20 | 13 | 4 | 3 | 35 | 12 | +23 | 30 | Syd Beaumont | Bill Bowen | Bill Saunders | |
| 1982–83 | Welsh League Division 1 | 34 | 26 | 3 | 5 | 103 | 35 | +68 | 55 | Alan Harrington | John Macey | Steve Williams | |
| 1983–84 | Welsh League Division 1 | 30 | 21 | 5 | 4 | 85 | 24 | +61 | 47 | Les Dickerson | Matt Simpson | Steve Williams | |
| 1984–85 | Welsh League Division 1 | 32 | 21 | 8 | 3 | 91 | 29 | +62 | 71 | Les Dickerson | Trevor Nott | Steve Williams | |
| 1985–86 | Welsh League Division 1 | 32 | 23 | 9 | 0 | 84 | 26 | +58 | 78 | Richie Morgan | Trevor Nott | Martin Goldsmith | |
| 1986–87 | Welsh League Division 1 | 32 | 26 | 5 | 1 | 81 | 20 | +61 | 83 | Richie Morgan | Chris Sander | Martin Goldsmith | |
| 1988–89 | Welsh League Division 1 | 32 | 28 | 4 | 0 | 96 | 20 | +76 | 88 | Mel Donovan | Chris Sander | Paul Evans | |
| 1993–94 | Welsh League Division 1 | 34 | 27 | 4 | 3 | 94 | 28 | +66 | 85 | Andy Beattie | Steve Morris | Dai Withers | |
| 1995–96 | Welsh Premier League | 40 | 30 | 7 | 3 | 92 | 23 | +69 | 97 | Paul Giles | Mark Ovendale | Paul Hunter | |
| 1996–97 | Welsh Premier League | 40 | 33 | 6 | 1 | 129 | 26 | +103 | 105 | Gary Barnett | Mark Ovendale | Tony Bird | |
| 1997–98 | Welsh Premier League | 38 | 33 | 5 | 0 | 134 | 31 | +103 | 104 | Gary Barnett | Mark Ovendale | Eifion Williams | |
| 1998–99 | Welsh Premier League | 32 | 23 | 7 | 2 | 82 | 23 | +59 | 76 | Gary Barnett | Dave Wells | Eifion Williams | |
| 2000–01 | Welsh Premier League | 34 | 24 | 5 | 5 | 84 | 30 | +54 | 77 | Peter Nicholas | Lee Kendall, Tony Tucker | Jamie Moralee | |
| 2001–02 | Welsh Premier League | 34 | 23 | 8 | 3 | 82 | 29 | +53 | 77 | Kenny Brown | David Forde, Simon Rayner | Jamie Moralee | |
| 2002–03 | Welsh Premier League | 34 | 26 | 5 | 3 | 84 | 26 | +58 | 83 | Kenny Brown | Abi Baruwa | Jamie Moralee | |
| 2013–14 | Welsh League Division 3 | 36 | 29 | 3 | 4 | 116 | 29 | +87 | 90 | Gavin Chesterfield | Dan Bradley | Jordan Cotterill |
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 Football League Cup | 28/04/30 | |
Llanelly | 0–1 | N/A | Unknown | Barry |
| 1934–35 | Welsh Football 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 Football 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 Thursdays | 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 Football 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 Football 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 Football 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 Football 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 Football 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 | Welsh League 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 | Welsh League Cup | 04/05/97 | |
Bangor City | 1–1 AET (5–4 pens) | Jones (P) | 1,000 | Bangor |
| 1998–99 | Welsh League 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 |
| 1999–2000 | 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 record
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
Phillips |
1,992
7,000 |
Barry |
| 2001/02 | Champions League | 2Q | 25/07/00
01/08/00 |
|
FC Porto | 0–8
3–1 |
N/A
Phillips, Flynn, Lloyd (P) |
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 record
Barry Town competed regularly in the FA Cup, prior to the Welsh pyramid in 1993. The table below denotes the occasions on which the team progressed through the qualifying rounds to the first round proper. 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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|
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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.
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