Return To The Conference National
During the following two seasons Barrow showed poor form in the league, narrowly escaping relegation at the end of 2006–07. Manager Lee Turnbull, who succeeded Lowe when the latter had to give up the job for work commitments, was sacked in 2005 and replaced by Phil Wilson. Compounding this was the jailing of defender James Cotterill for an assault committed on the pitch. In a first round FA Cup game Cotterill punched Bristol Rovers striker Sean Rigg, the incident being missed by the referee but caught by the Match of the Day cameras, resulting in Cotterill being the only English player in recent history to be jailed for an offence on the pitch.
On 12 November 2007, after two years in the job, Phil Wilson was dismissed as manager. Although the sacking came two days after a good 1–1 draw in the FA Cup First Round against AFC Bournemouth, it was the club's continued poor league form which cost the manager his job. Barrow's first team affairs were shifted to players Paul Jones, David Bayliss and Darren Sheridan. Following a decent run of results, Bayliss and Sheridan were appointed as player-managers, whilst Jones became club captain. Bayliss and Sheridan led Barrow from 20th place in the league in December to fifth, ensuring a place in the play offs for promotion to the Conference National. Barrow won the semi-final against Telford United 4–0 on aggregate, before beating Stalybridge Celtic in the playoff final, held at the Pirelli Stadium, Burton upon Trent.
After an initial strong start in the Conference National, which saw Barrow top the table during the first few weeks, the club began to struggle and found themselves just above the relegation zone by January 2009. Barrow had more success in the FA Cup, beating Brentford 2–1 with goals from David Brown and Matt Henney in Round Two, their first victory over Football League opposition since their own elimination from the league in 1972. In the third round they were drawn an away tie against Middlesbrough, a Premier League team, losing 2–1. More than 7,000 Barrow fans travelled to Boro's Riverside Stadium, at the time the highest away attendance at the ground in the 14 years it had been open. The cup run earned the club around £250,000, allowing investment in playing resources to be made. Barrow managed to retain their place in the Conference, finishing twentieth.
Having made several alterations to the squad during the summer, the club started its 2nd season in Blue Square Premier in August 2009. After a tough start, the club put together a good run, losing only once in 16 games, and reaching the FA Cup 3rd round, where they were beaten 3–0 by Premier League side Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on 2 January 2010, watched, again, by 7,500 travelling supporters. On 13 March 2010, a Gregg Blundell goal gave Barrow a 1–0 win away at Salisbury City in the 1st Leg of the FA Trophy Semi Final. A week later a Jason Walker double secured a 2–1 victory in the 2nd Leg to send the Bluebirds to Wembley. Having secured their position in the Conference National in the last home match of the season, Barrow went on to win the 2010 FA Trophy Final against Stevenage Borough 2–1 at Wembley Stadium, thanks to a goal by Jason Walker during extra time. This made Barrow the first and only club to win the FA Trophy at both the old and new Wembley stadiums.
The 2010–11 season was less successful for the club, although they finished in 18th place and retained their Blue Square premier place with a 2–0 victory over Hayes and Yeading on the last day of the season. Barrow failed to retain the FA Trophy due to a 2–3 defeat by Conference North side Guiseley. The following season Barrow enjoyed more success in the league, eventually finishing in 13th position. In February 2012, however, Darren Sheridan left the club by mutual consent following allegations made against him. Dave Bayliss remains at the club as manager.
Read more about this topic: Barrow A.F.C., History
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