Barton Rovers F.C.

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Barton Rovers
Official Barton Rovers crest
Full name Barton Rovers Football Club
Nickname(s) Mighty Rovers
Founded 1898
Ground Sharpenhoe Road, Barton-le-Clay[1]
Ground Capacity 4,000[1]
Chairman Darren Whiley[2]
Manager Jon Reed (assistant, Matt Endersby)
League Southern League Division One Central
2014–15 Southern League Division One Central, 5th

Barton Rovers Football Club is an English semi-professional football club based in Barton-le-Clay, Bedfordshire. They currently compete in the Southern League Division One Central and play their home matches at Sharpenhoe Road. The club is affiliated to the Bedfordshire Football Association.

History

Barton Rovers Football Club was formed in 1898. An article in the local church newsletter from January 1899 records:[3]

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Another venture was the football club, which is now in full swing, and bids fair to flourish. The following matches have already been played:
Oct. 8th At Barton, 3 goals; Toddington, 2 goals.
Oct. 29th At Toddington, 3 goals; Barton, 2 goals.
Nov. 12th At Silsoe, 2 goals; Barton, 2 goals.
Several more fixtures have been made, and we trust that the January list will show somewhat different results. The members of the club take the present opportunity of thanking Mr. W. Hill for the use of his field.

The Rovers played in the Luton and District League prior to joining the South Midlands League ahead of the 1954/1955 season. They won the South Midlands League Premier Division eight times in nine seasons during the 1970s and were rewarded with a place in the Isthmian League in 1979.

They were beaten finalists in the 1977/1978 FA Vase, losing 2–1 to Newcastle Blue Star at Wembley Stadium. In November 1980, the club reached the first round proper of the FA Cup for the first time in their history. The Rovers lost 2–0 against Torquay United at Plainmoor. In January 2001, the club got to the third round of the FA Trophy, after beating Banbury United and Uxbridge respectively. They were beaten 6–1 by eventual finalists and Conference Premier side Forest Green Rovers in round three.

The Rovers played in the Isthmian League until 2004, playing in both Division One and Two. However, a re-organisation of the pyramid saw them switch to the Southern League, where they remain to this day.

In 2008, former Luton Town players Tony Thorpe, Scott Oakes and Liam George signed for Barton Rovers. June 2014 saw Dan Kennoy step down as manager after almost four years in charge, to take up the role of director of football. He was replaced by Richard Wilmot and Wes Byrne, both former players.[4] However, Byrne left Barton Rovers in June 2015 to become the assistant manager to new Bedford Town and former Barton Rovers boss Dan Kennoy, leaving Richard Wilmot in sole charge.[5]

On the final day of the 2015 January transfer window, Premier League side Crystal Palace signed Rovers striker Keshi Anderson after scoring a hat-trick against them in a trial game the week before.[6] According to chairman Darren Whiley, Anderson was only the third player that the club has ever sold.[4] The 2014/2015 season saw the club achieve its highest ever league finish, qualifying for the play-offs in 5th place in the Southern League Division One Central, losing 2–0 in the play-off final to Bedworth United.

Ground

Stadium

Barton Rovers play their home matches at Sharpenhoe Road in Barton-le-clay, Bedfordshire. The main stand is all seated, occupying 160 seats. The stand that is directly opposite has covered terracing and runs the length of the pitch. The rest of the ground consists of large fencing behind both goals, as well as the side that's occupied by the main stand. The overall capacity of Sharpenhoe Road is 4,000.

Bar

Situated behind the main stand of Sharpenhoe Road is the Barton Rovers Bar, which is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Music, comedy, bingo and other events are held there every month. There is also an annual fireworks display, which is famous in the area and attracts thousands of people every year to the club.

Honours

  • FA Vase
    • Finalists; 1977/1978
    • Semi-Finalists; 1976/1977, 1981/1982
  • South Midlands League Premier Division
    • Champions; 1970/1971, 1971/1972, 1972/1973, 1974/1975, 1975/1976, 1976/1977, 1977/1978, 1978/1979
    • Runners-up; 1967/1968
  • Bedfordshire Senior Cup
    • Winners; 1971/1972, 1972/1973, 1980/1981, 1981/1982, 1989/1990, 1997/1998, 1998/1999, 2014/2015
    • Finalists; 1974/1975, 1975/1976, 1982/1983, 1990/1991, 1995/1996, 2004/2005

Records

  • League: 5th (Southern League Division One Central); 2014/2015
  • FA Cup: 1st Round; 1980/1981
  • FA Trophy: 3rd Round; 2000/2001
  • FA Vase: Final; 1977/1978
  • Attendance: 1,900 (Nuneaton Borough, FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round); 1976/1977

References

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  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/byrne-appointed-eagles-number-two-40138/
  6. ↑ "Crystal Palace: Keshi Anderson's hat-trick that earned dream move", BBC Sport, 3 February 2015

External links

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