Barry Town United F.C.

"Barry Town" redirects here. For town the football team is based in, see Barry, Vale of Glamorgan.
Barry Town United
Full name Barry Town United Football Club
Nickname(s) Town, Linnets, Dragons
Founded 1912 (as Barry AFC)
Ground Jenner Park, Barry
Ground Capacity 2,000 seated
Ground Coordinates 51°24′39″N 3°15′55″W / 51.41083°N 3.26528°W / 51.41083; -3.26528Coordinates: 51°24′39″N 3°15′55″W / 51.41083°N 3.26528°W / 51.41083; -3.26528
Manager Gavin Chesterfield
League Welsh League Division One
2014–15 Welsh League Division Two, 1st
Website Club home page

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 more than 50 full internationals, is now run by supporters. They play at their traditional home of Jenner Park, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, which holds 2,000 spectators.

History

Formation

Wales
Steel
Wales
Wightman
Wales
Molyneux
Wales
White
Wales
Thomas
Wales
Bates
Wales
Woolridge
Wales
Greenaway
Wales
McNaught
Wales
Sheldon
Wales
Isherwood
First ever Barry XI at Jenner Park

Barry Town United's history dates back to 1892 when an association football team named Barry and Cadoxton District was formed in the area. During the early years, this side 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.

Barry AFC team photograph, featuring players/officials of 1913–14

In November 1912, a meeting at The Windsor public house 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 and the people of the town 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 at Jenner Park. The game attracted 4,000 spectators, including 1,000 travelling supporters.

Fittingly, the new team would register a surprise, albeit merited, victory, with Barry's Ralph Isherwood scoring the very first goal at Jenner Park just three minutes in. His second, midway through the second half, sealed a 2–1 victory, a fine start for the Barry side on, coincidentally, the same afternoon that Arsenal played their first ever match at Highbury.

The ensuing two seasons would see Stoke City, Brentford, Coventry City and others visit the new ground. However, the Great War would soon interrupt any competitive proceedings; with Barry captain Major James Wightman one of the many casualties of The Battle of the Somme.

Southern League success

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's Welsh section. The achievement was all the more impressive when considering the small Barry squad played 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 move up to the Football League were scuppered just a month later, when their application failed and Charlton Athletic and Aberdare Athletic (the latter of whom finished second to Barry in their section) were elected instead.

Barry retained membership of the Southern League for more than 60 years – their highest finish being fourth in the 1930s. Among the notable players of the era were Johnny Gardner (with over 500 appearances), Dai Ward (scorer of more than 300 goals) and Fred Whitlow (a 100+ goal marksman). Meanwhile, Barry-born sportsman Ernie Carless combined his footballing exploits with a successful cricketing career with Glamorgan.

FA Cup and Welsh Cup glory

Wales
Morris
Wales
Lyske
Wales
Wright
Wales
Williams
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Bellas
Wales
Foxton
Wales
Allen
Wales
Dyke
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Niblett
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Goodfellow
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Cain
1955 Welsh Cup winning XI

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 ten days later. It proved to be their most successful run in the competition. Barry would reach the 1st Round again in 1934-35, losing 1–0 to Northampton Town at Jenner Park, but the build-up to the match was 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 County, Swansea City and Cardiff City all visiting to showcase the facilities. Two seasons later, an all-Welsh showdown in the FA Cup 1st Round saw Barry beaten by Newport, 4–0. Nevertheless, the town’s most celebrated footballing achievement was right around the corner.

In May 1955, following 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 reached the final of the 1958 World Cup. The influx of players from continental Europe came as a result of chairman John Bailey's business interests overseas.

During this period, the club embarked on an overseas tour, playing three games in Malta in 1960 against Sliema Wanderers, Hibernians and Valletta that all ended in draws.

1961 saw another big 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 most fondly remembered 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 tall defender Mike Cosslett; now a member of the club 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 striker Steve Williams. The most significant match of the decade though came on 17 November 1984, as 3,850 crammed into Jenner Park to see Barry vs Reading 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 and return

Barri in Worcester, 1992-93

After insufficient floodlighting had stopped the club being able to compete in the Southern League for most of the 1980s, the tail end of the decade saw the necessary ground improvements to support a return to England. Barry entered the 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 previously.

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 on Welsh soil. As part of a group of rebel clubs known as the Irate Eight (alongside Newport, Merthyr, Colwyn Bay, Bangor City, Caernarfon Town, Newtown and Rhyl), the Town were forced into exile; with the first team adopting the name of Barri AFC 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; eventually accepted into Welsh League Division One for the 1993–94 campaign.

Decade of dominance

Barry (in yellow) in action in Lithuania in the summer of 1994

Barry's return to Jenner Park would spark the side's most successful period, as they earned immediate promotion to the top flight and a unique quadruple of Welsh League championship, Welsh League Cup, FAW Trophy and Welsh Cup (for the first time since 1955).

The latter was one of the Town's most famous achievements, 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 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 season was though marred by the deaths of chairman Neil O' Halloran and young midfielder Matthew Holtham, the latter in a motorway accident on the way back from an away match in April.

1996 saw the club 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, 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 memorable all-British tie with Scottish Premier League side Aberdeen was their reward and, after losing 3–1 to Roy Aitken's side at Pittodrie, the Welshmen were held to a pulsating 3–3 draw at a rain-swept Jenner Park; exiting the cup in thrilling fashion before a crowd of over 6,000.

The Barry squad of 1999 at Jenner Park, with the League of Wales Cup, FAW Premier Cup and Welsh Premier League trophies.

On the domestic scene, Barry were all-conquering, clinching a first 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. In January 1997, the team was part of the first League of Wales match to be broadcast live on television; a 5–2 win over visitors Caernarfon Town that still holds the league's attendance record. Then, from March, Barry went 51 matches without tasting a single defeat in a league fixture.

1999 saw Barry become the first League of Wales team 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 TNS, Barry would regain their crown the following campaign, while European battles with the likes of Dynamo Kiev and Boavista saw players of the highest calibre grace Jenner Park (among them, the likes of Andriy Shevchenko and Sergei Rebrov.

Then, in the 2000–01 season, Barry notably became the first League of Wales team to win a European Champions League tie, when they defeated the Azerbaijan champions FC Shamkir to set up a tie with Portuguese giants 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 win the home leg 3–1, recording a famous result that has grown in legend with the career success of Porto's Ricardo Carvalho, Helder Postiga and others.

Decline and turmoil

The golden era would not last forever, and the continual challenge of securing enough prize money to sustain their high standards set would eventually catch up with those running the club. After chairperson and backer Paula O' Halloran stood aside, former Scarborough and Grantham Town official Kevin Green came in as the club's new Chief Executive; yet his varying initiatives failed to stop the rot. In one move that garnered significant press, Green would recruit ex-footballer and celebrity John Fashanu as the club's high-profile chairman in the winter of 2002. Some saw Fashanu as the missing piece of the puzzle, 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 a Barry ship in increasingly rough seas. Then, after success on 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 team was appointed, together with an amateur squad drawn primarily from local side 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 10 December 2003. Few could have foreseen what was to come.

2003–04 was a difficult season, 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 dismissed by Lovering on the eve of the new campaign, with assistant David Hughes replacing him; only to leave himself months later on finding his budget slashed. In the meantime, an independent district valuer had determined that the club should pay £42,000 in rent and rates each season for the remainder of the lease. Judging the figure to be unfairly based on the club's relinquished professional status, Lovering refused to pay this amount and instead moved the senior side to the White Tips Stadium in Treforest from January 2005 to May 2006. During the absence, a number of staunch supporters formed breakaway club Barry FC; the culmination of a series of disputes with chairman Lovering, who had banned them from fundraising at club. With the Town relegated to their lowest-ever league status at the end of the 2005-06 season, the future appeared bleak for this fallen giant of Welsh football.

Fan-led fightback

While chaos reigned off the field for much of the decade, the roots of recovery began to grow in 2007, with the appointment of new manager Gavin Chesterfield. Chesterfield led Barry to promotion in 2008, with the hope that a winning run of form in the second tier 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. Nevertheless, the team's achievements were continually overshadowed by events behind the scenes.

In December 2008, a crisis meeting at Jenner Park saw supporters come forward to pledge their commitment to operating the first team (forming a new company for this purpose), to allow Lovering to focus on finding a buyer. In one of a number of close calls, the club appeared on the verge of being sold in 2010, when businessman Clayton Jones appeared to strike a deal. However, this fell through at the eleventh hour, scuppering a plan to bring in Wales international John Hartson as Director of Football.

Undeterred, 2010 saw the Stand Up For Barry campaign launch, utilising new social media platforms such as Twitter to spread news of the club's plight with a wider online audience. The resulting support from across the football community proved an invaluable asset as supporters strived to keep the club alive.

Shortly after the close of the 2010–11 season, Lovering announced his fresh intent of withdrawing the first team from higher league competition. To prevent this, the Barry Town Supporters' Committee (BTSC) took complete control of all football and its funding; resulting in what became known to some supporters as the 'DIY Football' era. In the months that followed, the rejuvenated, fan-run Barry set-up enjoyed their most successful Welsh Cup campaign in several seasons; defeating rivals Merthyr Town at Penydarren Park and winning at Haverfordwest County in extra-time, before being edged out 3–2 at Newport County.

A TV cameraman records Barry fans and players celebrating after their Welsh Cup Quarter Final win at Flint Town United on 2nd March 2013.

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 launch the festivities, the BTSC hosted Cardiff City in an August fundraising friendly attended by 2,000 spectators. However, Lovering's threats to withdraw Barry from the Welsh Football League would intensify in the weeks prior, threatening to cast a cloud over these celebrations. Nevertheless, the BTSC held a successful '100 Years of Barry Town' event at the Angel Hotel (attended by many past and present players), before the current team beat Welsh League champions Cambrian and Clydach on the 100th anniversary itself.

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. Eventually, the team narrowly lost 1-2 to eventual winners Prestatyn Town, marking the first ever appearance of a fully amateur Barry side at the Welsh Cup semi-final stage.

Survival and resurgence

On 7 May 2013, Lovering 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 league fixtures (both against Ton Pentre). Rejecting this perceived act of sabotage, those running the football outlined their intentions to continue as they were, adopting the Barry Town United suffix 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 outcry, both locally and further afield.

Barry at Maesmawr Hall before Welsh Cup Semi-Final in Newtown.

There appeared hope for beleaguered Barry as second meeting was arranged for July 2013 at Maesmawr Hall in Caersws to hear new evidence as why the team should be able to continue on. At this second gathering, 15 of the FAW Councillors voted against discussing Barry'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 half-time.

Eventually, a High Court judge in Cardiff ruled in Barry's favour; stating that the FAW Council had acted unlawfully in denying them their licence to play Welsh League football. 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 in the second tier, 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.

Colours

For many decades, Barry wore green as their primary colour – thought to be due to officials securing the club's first kit from Plymouth Argyle. On exile in 1992, Barri adopted a red and white strip, 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 a home strip - and it is this colour that has become synonymous with Town football, with 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.

Example of a traditional Linnets green strip, worn with longevity.

Claret and blue strip, worn for a single disastrous season (1971-72).

Green and blue strip, colour co-ordinated with Jenner Park seating.

Red and white strip, worn in exile and upon return to the Welsh pyramid.

Welsh Cup Final strip of 1994, worn in famous win over Cardiff City.

League of Wales strip, adopted from cup kit, associated with 1990s success.

Fluorescent lime strip, worn in post-Millennium descent to lowest status.

Stadium

Main article: Jenner Park Stadium
The exterior of Jenner Park Stadium, as seen from Gladstone Road, Barry

Jenner Park occupies the space of land between Gladstone Road and Barry Road in central Barry and has been the setting for the evolution of Barry's senior football club for more than 100 years.

Named after the Jenner family who had gifted the land, the ground was built by the Barry football enthusiasts for their representative side to compete at the highest possible level and was completed between the landmark meeting of 1912 and the opening fixture of 1913-14.

Among the most notable Barry matches played at Jenner Park have been European ties, domestic cup finals, major semi-finals and quarter-finals, FA Cup fixtures, televised matches, testimonials, high-scoring thrillers and friendlies against high-profile opposition.

Comprised initially of two wooden stands, popular bank terracing was added in 1923 and floodlights added in the 1940s, allowing Jenner Park to host Wales' first ever floodlit football match between Barry and Newport in 1949-50.

During the 1980s, the local council rebuilt Jenner Park, installing a synthetic running track, a new all-seater stand and improved floodlights.

In order to bring Jenner Park up to UEFA standards, a second covered stand was built in the mid 1990s, boosting the seating capacity to 2,500. This was temporarily increased to 6,000+ for the visits of Aberdeen and Manchester United with the use of temporary bleachers.

Recent years have seen the addition of a special viewing area for wheelchair users in the grandstand (known colloquially as the 'Old Stand'), accessible via the stadium's Devon Avenue entrance. Meanwhile, October 2015 saw work completed on a new, state-of-the-art 3G pitch, with its inaugural game, a Welsh Cup match against Aberdare Town.

2015–16 season

The club's current season saw 15 players retained from the previous campaign, with winger Michael Hartley returning from a long-term injury that had ruled him out of 2014–15. New signings included former Welsh Cup finalist Drew Fahiya, who scored in the 2010 Welsh Cup Final for Port Talbot Town.

Technical staff

Position Name
Manager Wales Gavin Chesterfield
Assistant Manager Wales Damon Searle
Assistant Coach Wales Mike Cosslett
Assistant Coach Wales Damian Flynn
Physiotherapist Wales Ben Clinton
Kit Manager Wales Matthew Case

Welsh Cup

Championships

The Barry first team with the Welsh League Division Three trophy in 2014.

Welsh Premier League
1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03
Welsh League Division One
1926–27, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1988–89, 1993–94
Welsh League Division Two
1951–52, 1957–58, 2014–15
Welsh League Division Three
2013–14

Southern League
1920–21

Championship seasons

Season League Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Manager Goalkeeper(s) Top Goalscorer
1920–21Southern League 2013433512+2330Syd BeaumontBill BowenBill Saunders
1982–83Welsh League Division One 34263510335+6855Alan HarringtonJohn MaceySteve Williams
1983–84Welsh League Division One 3021548524+6147Les DickersonMatt SimpsonSteve Williams
1984–85Welsh League Division One 3221839129+6271Les DickersonTrevor NottSteve Williams
1985–86Welsh League Division One 3223908426+5878Richie MorganTrevor NottMartin Goldsmith
1986–87Welsh League Division One 3226518120+6183Richie MorganChris SanderMartin Goldsmith
1988–89Welsh League Division One 3228409620+7688Mel DonovanChris SanderPaul Evans
1993–94Welsh League Division One 3427439428+6685Andy BeattieSteve MorrisDai Withers
1995–96Welsh Premier League 4030739223+6997Paul GilesMark OvendalePaul Hunter
1996–97Welsh Premier League 40336112926+103105Gary BarnettMark OvendaleTony Bird
1997–98Welsh Premier League 38335013431+103104Gary BarnettMark OvendaleEifion Williams
1998–99Welsh Premier League 3223728223+5976Gary BarnettDave WellsEifion Williams
2000–01Welsh Premier League 3424558430+5477Peter NicholasLee Kendall and Tony TuckerJamie Moralee
2001–02Welsh Premier League 3423838229+5377Kenny BrownDavid Forde and Simon RaynerJamie Moralee
2002–03Welsh Premier League 3426538426+5883Kenny BrownAbi BaruwaJamie Moralee
2013–14Welsh League Division Three 36293411629+8790Gavin ChesterfieldDan BradleyJordan Cotterill
2014–15Welsh League Division Two 3022627732+4572Gavin ChesterfieldDan BradleyTJ Nagi

Championship play-offs

Season Competition Date Country Club Score Scorers Attendance Venue
1920–21 Southern League 22/09/21

19/10/21

England Brighton & Hove Albion 1–1

1–2

Saunders

Beaumont

2,000

Unknown

Millwall

Cardiff

This match pitted the winners of the Southern League's English and Welsh sections against each other to determine an overall champion.

Trophies

Welsh Cup
1954–55, 1993–94, 1996–97, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03

League of Wales Cup
1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000

FAW Premier Cup
1998–99

FAW Trophy
1993–94

Welsh 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

Cup finals

Season Competition Date Country Club Score Scorers Attendance Venue
1926–27 South Wales Senior Cup 02/05/27 Wales Ebbw Vale 4–0 Brittan (2), Cowie (2, 1P) Unknown Barry
1927–28 West Wales Senior Cup Unknown Wales Swansea Town 3–0 Condon, Brown, B. Davies Unknown Barry
1929–30 Welsh League Cup 28/04/30 Wales Llanelly 0–1 N/A Unknown Barry
1934–35 Welsh League Cup Unknown Wales Gelli Colliery 2–0 Unknown Unknown Treorchy
1935–36 South Wales Senior Cup 09/05/36 Wales Swansea Town 3–0 Whitlow (2), Carless 4,500 Barry
1937–38 South Wales Senior Cup 07/05/38 Wales Lovells Athletic 3–0 Carless (2), W. Jones 3,000 Barry
1938–39 South Wales Senior Cup 03/05/39 Wales Swansea Town 2–0 Carless, Green 4,000 Barry
1946–47 Welsh League Cup 05/10/46 Wales Milford United 1–0 Clayton Unknown Haverfordwest
1952–53 South Wales Senior Cup 09/05/53 Wales Cardiff City 3–0 Richards, Tapscott, Dyke 4,500 Barry
1953–54 South Wales Senior Cup 08/05/54 Wales Tonyrefail 7–0 Dyke (2), Allen, Powell, Foxton, Richards, Bright 2,600 Barry
1954–55 Welsh Cup 15/05/55

19/05/55

England Chester City 1–1

4–3 (R)

Niblett

Niblett (2), Goodfellow, Dyke

6,766

8,450

Wrexham

Cardiff

1958–59 South Wales Senior Cup 09/05/59 Wales Gwynfi Welfare 3–2 Sheffield (2), Bowkett Unknown Ton Pentre
1959–60 South Wales Senior Cup 07/05/60

29/08/60

Wales Ton Pentre 2–2 (A)

1–0 (H)

Sheffield, Loader

Sheffield

Unknown

Unknown

Ton Pentre

Barry

1965–66 South Wales Senior Cup 23/08/66

07/09/66

Wales Abergavenny 3–2 (A)

2–0 (H)

Clark (2), Watkins

Curtin, Bright

Unknown

Unknown

Abergavenny

Barry

1975–76 South Wales Senior Cup 27/04/76

03/05/76

Wales Ferndale Athletic 1–1 (H)

2–1 (A)

D. Batt

Evans (2)

Unknown

Unknown

Barry

Ferndale

1976–77 South Wales Senior Cup 16/05/77

23/05/77

Wales Merthyr Tydfil 3–3 (H)

1–2 (A)

Ayres, D. Batt, Smith

Ayres

Unknown

Unknown

Barry

Merthyr

1977–78 South Wales Senior Cup 15/05/78

18/05/78

Wales Cardiff City 2–0 (H)

2–0 (A)

D. Batt, Hancock

D. Batt, Ayres

Unknown

Unknown

Barry

Cardiff

1978–79 Welsh League Cup Unknown Wales Pontllanfraith 0–0 AET* N/A Unknown Ton Pentre
1982–83 Welsh League Cup 24/03/83 Wales Merthyr Tydfil 2–1 Green, Griffiths Unknown Bridgend
1983–84 South Wales Senior Cup 30/04/84

05/05/84

Wales Ton Pentre 7–1 (H)

2–1 (A)

Redwood (3P), Foley (2), McNeil, Griffiths

Redwood (P), Smith

Unknown

Unknown

Barry

Ton Pentre

1986–87 Welsh League Cup 30/04/87 Wales AFC Cardiff 2–0 Waddle, Giles Unknown Maesteg
1986–87 South Wales Senior Cup 18/05/87

21/05/87

Wales Ton Pentre 2–0 (N)

2–1 (A)

Sullivan, Randall

Dowd, Smith

Unknown

Unknown

Cardiff

Ton Pentre

1987–88 Welsh League Cup 07/04/88 Wales Bridgend Town 0–2 N/A Unknown Ton Pentre
1987–88 South Wales Senior Cup 07/05/88

14/05/88

Wales Cardiff City 3–0 (H)

2–1 (A)

Davies (2), Preece

Davies, Pontin

Unknown

Unknown

Barry

Cardiff

1988–89 Welsh League Cup 09/05/89 Wales Haverfordwest County 0–3 N/A Unknown Ebbw Vale
1991–92 South Wales Senior Cup 06/05/92 Wales Maesteg Park 2–1 Ph. Evans, R. John 210 Bridgend
1993–94 FAW Trophy 07/05/94 Wales Aberaman Athletic 2–1 Sanderson, Threlfall Unknown Porth
1993–94 Welsh Cup 15/05/94 Wales Cardiff City 2–1 D'Auria, Hough 16,000 Cardiff
1993–94 Welsh League Cup 17/05/94 Wales Treowen Stars 4–1 Wimbleton (2), Sanderson (2) Unknown Bridgend
1995–96 Welsh Cup 19/05/96 Wales Llansantffraid 3–3 AET** Lloyd, Pike, Bird 3,500 Cardiff
1996–97 League of Wales Cup 10/05/97 Wales Bangor City 2–2 AET* Ryan (2) 1,000 Aberystwyth
1996–97 Welsh Cup 18/05/97 Wales Cwmbran Town 2–1 Griffith (2) 1,590 Cardiff
1997–98 League of Wales Cup 04/05/97 Wales Bangor City 1–1 AET* Jones (P) 1,000 Bangor
1998–99 League of Wales Cup 03/05/99 Wales Caernarfon Town 3–0 Jones (3) Unknown Aberystwyth
1998–99 FAW Premier Cup 23/05/99 Wales Wrexham 2–1 Perry, Barrow 3,142 Wrexham
1999–00 League of Wales Cup 01/05/00 Wales Bangor City 6–0 Jones, P. Evans, Perry (2), Ja. Jenkins Unknown Aberystwyth
2000–01 League of Wales Cup 07/05/01 Wales Caersws 0–2 N/A 820 Aberystwyth
2000–01 Welsh Cup 25/05/01 Wales TNS 2–0 Moralee, Lloyd 1,022 Wrexham
2001–02 Welsh Cup 05/05/02 Wales Bangor City 4–1 Moralee (2), French, Flynn 2,560 Aberystwyth
2002–03 Welsh Cup 11/05/03 Wales Cwmbran Town 2–2 AET* Ramasut (P), Phillips 852 Llanelli

Awards

BBC Wales Sport Team of the Year
1996

European competition

Barry have played 24 competitive games in European club competitions; in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup and Cup Winners Cup. The team has won three full qualifying ties, defeating opposition from Latvia, Hungary and Azerbaijan, in addition to single victories against FC Porto and Vardar Skopje and draws with Valletta and Aberdeen. The club has scored 21 goals in regular European play, as well as four shootout penalties. Their most recent European appearance came in 2003.

Season Competition Round Date Country Club Score Scorers Attendance City/Town
1994-95 European Cup Winners' Cup Q 11/08/94

25/08/94

Lithuania Žalgiris Vilnius 0–1

0–6

N/A

N/A

1,914

2,900

Cardiff

Vilnius

1996-97 UEFA Cup 1Q 17/07/96

24/07/96

Latvia Dinaburg 0–0

2–1

N/A

Pike, T. Evans

2,500

2,250

Barry

Daugavpils

1996-97 UEFA Cup 2Q 06/08/96

20/08/96

Hungary Budapest Vasutas 1–3

3–1*

T. Evans

Pike (P), O' Gorman, C. Evans

2,000

2,500

Budapest

Barry

1996-97 UEFA Cup 1R 10/09/96

24/09/96

Scotland Aberdeen 1–3

3–3

Jones

O' Gorman, Ryan (P), Bird

13,500

6,500

Aberdeen

Barry

1997-98 UEFA Champions League 1Q 23/07/97

30/07/97

Ukraine Dynamo Kyiv 0–2

0–4

N/A

N/A

12,000

2,380

Kiev

Barry

1998-99 UEFA Champions League 1Q 22/07/98

29/07/98

Ukraine Dynamo Kyiv 0–8

1–2

N/A

Williams

11,800

890

Kiev

Barry

1999-00 UEFA Champions League 1Q 13/07/99

21/07/99

Malta Valletta 0–0

2–3

N/A

Sloan (2)

2,005

2,996

Barry

Valletta

2000-01 UEFA Cup Q 10/08/00

24/08/00

Portugal Boavista 0–2

0–3

N/A

N/A

3,039

1,372

Oporto

Barry

2001-02 UEFA Champions League 1Q 11/07/01

18/07/01

Azerbaijan FK Shamkir 2–0

1–0

York, French

Phillips

1,992

7,000

Barry

Baku

2001-02 UEFA Champions League 2Q 25/07/00

01/08/00

Portugal FC Porto 0–8

3–1

N/A

Phillips, Flynn, Lloyd (P)

55,000

2,377

Oporto

Barry

2002-03 UEFA Champions League 1Q 17/07/02

24/07/02

Latvia Skonto Riga 0–5

0–1

N/A

N/A

3,500

1,507

Riga

Barry

2003-04 UEFA Champions League 1Q 16/07/03

23/07/03

Republic of Macedonia Vardar Skopje 0–3

2–1

N/A

Jarman, Moralee

5,000

1,400

Skopje

Barry

FA Cup qualification

The club 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 the Boleyn Ground, home of West Ham United.

Season Date Round Country Club Score Scorers Attendance Eventual winners
1929–30 30/11/29

04/12/29

1 England Dagenham Town 0–0

1–0

N/A

Jones

Unknown

6,000

Arsenal
1929–30 14/12/29 2 England Brighton & Hove Albion 1–4 Ward Unknown Arsenal
1934–35 24/11/35 1 England Northampton Town 0–1 N/A 5,327 Sheffield Wednesday
1951–52 24/11/52 1 Wales Newport County 0–4 N/A 11,844 Newcastle United
1961–62 04/11/62

07/11/62

1 England Queen's Park Rangers 1–1

0–7

Sheffield

N/A

7,000

11,328

Tottenham Hotspur
1984–85 17/11/84 1 England Reading 1–2 Love 3,850 Manchester United

Team records

Record wins

Record defeats

High-scoring matches

Other notable opponents

Top flight football clubs (non-domestic) that have played against Barry (previously unlisted).

Full internationals

Pos. Player
GKWales Andy Dibble
GKWales Len Evans
GKWales Ron Howells
GKWales Graham Vearncombe
 
Pos. Player
DFWales Terry Boyle
DFWales Don Dearson
DFWales Steve Derrett
DFWales Phil Dwyer
DFWales Bob John
DFWales Keith Pontin
DFWales Dave Roberts
DFWales Alf Sherwood
DFWales Nigel Stevenson
 
Pos. Player
MFWales Bryn Allen
MFWales John Emanuel
MFWales David Giles
MFWales Robbie James
MFWales Billy Jennings
MFWales Chris Marustik
MFWales Ivor Powell
MFWales Gil Reece
MFWales Ted Vizard
 
Pos. Player
FWWales George Baker
FWWales Alan Curtis
FWWales Nick Deacy
FWWales Leslie Jones
FWWales Stan Richards
FWWales Derek Showers
FWWales Derek Tapscott
FWWales Dai Ward Jr.
FWWales Fred Warren
 
Pos. Player
GKNigeria Abiodun Baruwa
GKRepublic of Ireland David Forde
DFPakistan Atif Bashir
DFNorthern Ireland Paul Ramsay
MFSweden Bengt Berndtsson
MFNorthern Ireland Jackie Brown
MFFinland Stig Holmqvist
MFFinland Hannu Kankkonnen
MFFinland Rolf Rosqvist

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.

YearNamePositionSignificant achievementsYears of serviceOther notable clubs
2012/13Chris MasonDefenderA POW in WW2, amassed 400+ appearances either side of war.1937–1951
2012/13Ashley GriffithsDefender22-year association, appearances in finals, Europe and FA Cup1973–2005Rovers, BristolBristol Rovers
2012/13Neil O' HalloranVariousPlayer, boss and chairman, launched an era of success1958–1996County, NewportNewport County, City, CardiffCardiff City
2012/13Charlie DykeMidfielderWelsh Cup winner in 1955, associated with club forty years on.1951–1964, ChelseaChelsea
2012/13Batt BrothersVariousJohn/"Percy" and Richard/"Dicky", the club's most famous siblings.1972–1980Tydfil, MerthyrMerthyr Tydfil
2012/13Bill BowenGoalkeeperGoalkeeper, manager and secretary in inaugural era of success.1919–1927
2012/13Tapscott, DerekDerek TapscottMidfielderBarry-born Welsh international who found fame with Arsenal.1949–1953, ArsenalArsenal , City, CardiffCardiff City
2011/12Bill JonesManagerManager in the golden 1950s, played before and after war.1934–1953County, NottsNotts County, City, WorcesterWorcester City
2011/12Ovendale, MarkMark OvendaleGoalkeeperRecord-setting keeper, 1000+ league minutes without conceding.1995–1998, 2003Bournemouth, AFCAFC Bournemouth, Town, LutonLuton Town
2011/12Williams, EifionEifion WilliamsForwardRecord signing, dynamic first Champions League goalscorer.1997, 1999United, TorquayTorquay United, United, HartlepoolHartlepool United
2011/12Fred WhitlowForwardThree stints, with two-season spell of 13 hat-tricks and 100+ goals.1922–23, 24–25, 35–37Athletic, CharltonCharlton Athletic, City, ExeterExeter City
2011/12Carless, ErnieErnie CarlessForwardBarry-born footballer and cricketer, played in four decades.1929–1953City, CardiffCardiff City, Argyle, PlymouthPlymouth Argyle
2011/12Dai WardForwardTop marksman for eight seasons with over 300 goals.1926–1935City, CardiffCardiff City, County, NewportNewport County
2011/12Johnny GardnerDefender500+ appearances, including in FA Cup first and second rounds.1921–1932
2011/12Clive AyresForwardGoalscorer. 46 goals in one season and three straight hat-tricks.1972–1978Town, CheltenhamCheltenham Town
2011/12Basil BrightManagerOne-man dynasty as player/coach, signed many key players.1951, 1952–67, 1971–78City, StokeStoke City, Hotspur, TottenhamTottenham Hotspur
2011/12Richards, StanStan RichardsForward130 goals in 174 outings, set scoring records everywhere.1952–1955City, CardiffCardiff City, City, SwanseaSwansea City
2011/12Gwilym CainForwardDubbed 'Cannonball' for penalty prowess, scored over 150 goals.1947–1956, 1960City, CardiffCardiff City, County, HaverfordwestHaverfordwest County
2011/12Cowie, StanleyStanley CowieDefenderKey part of Barry's only Southern League title-winning side.1920–1927, BlackpoolBlackpool , City, ExeterExeter City
2012/13Steve WilliamsForwardTrophy-winning goalscorer, netting 166 times in 230 appearances.1982–85, 89–90, 94–95Rovers, BristolBristol Rovers, , BidefordBideford
2012/13Barnett, GaryGary BarnettManagerPlayer-manager for European wins, brought passing philosophy1996–99City, CoventryCoventry City, , FulhamFulham
2012/13Gary LloydDefenderFree-kick specialist, with European appearances and Wales call-up1994–2003, LlanelliLlanelli , , Carmarthen TownCarmarthen Town
2012/13Ken GullyForwardProlific Barry goalscorer in Welsh and English leagues alike.1960–65, Kettering TownKettering Town
2012/13Mike CosslettDefenderDefender and coach, 38-year association with the club. 1974–, Aberystwyth TownAberystwyth Town , , WeymouthWeymouth
2012/13Bobby SmithMidfielderTrue clubman, over 500+ outings across a 20-year stint.1975–94
2013/14Billy JenningsManagerFirst Barrian to be capped for Wales, managed Barry twice.1930–49Wanderers, BoltonBolton Wanderers, City, CardiffCardiff City
2013/14Derek RedwoodDefenderAll-time leading penalty taker, won much silverware in the 1980s.1980s

Other information

External links

References

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