The roar of engines, the smell of methanol, the thrill of speed… Speedway has a long and fascinating history in Barrow-in-Furness, a tale woven through different venues and decades, with a story as twisty as the track itself!
Our journey begins in the summer of 1930, at Holker Street Stadium, home to Barrow A.F.C. Imagine the scene: the roar of the crowd mingling with the rumble of bikes as they tear around the football pitch, kicking up dust under the summer sun. This was the first taste of speedway for Barrow, organised by the Northern Sports Club, with the inaugural meeting held on 12th June 1930. 🏟️ #SpeedwayHistory #BarrowBombers
But this first stint was short-lived, lasting only until 28th July 1930. The team moved to Little Park in Roose in 1931, hoping for greater success. Sadly, it wasn’t meant to be, and the crowds dwindled. Speedway disappeared from the town, leaving only the echo of engines in the memory of its fans. 😔 #GoneButNotForgotten
Fast forward over 40 years, and the roar returned! In 1972, the “Barrow Happy Faces” (sponsored by Duckhams Oil and sporting their cheerful logo) burst onto the scene, back at Holker Street, which had been fitted with a speedway track around the football pitch. Picture the excitement: a new generation witnessing the daring and skill of riders like Bob Coles, Tom Owen and Mike Sampson as they battle for glory in the British League Division Two. They finished a respectable 9th in their first season! ✨ #HappyFaces #BritishSpeedway
The team, renamed the Barrow Bombers for the 1973 and 1974 seasons, finished 10th and 12th respectively. Despite drawing good crowds, ground-sharing problems forced them to seek a new home. In 1977, they found it at Park Road Stadium, a purpose-built speedway venue constructed by local businessman Cliff Hindle. This marked a new era, with the team rebranded as the “Barrow Furness Flyers”. Did the sea air inspire their name? We may never know! 💨 #FurnessFlyers #ParkRoad
Alas, the Flyers couldn’t quite soar to the heights they hoped for. Despite a promising start, they finished bottom of the National League in 1978. Crowds were poor, and the track fell silent once more. But the story doesn’t end there! In 1984, speedway made yet another comeback, this time as the “Barrow Blackhawks”, under the promotion of ex-Barrow rider Chris Roynon. Sadly, their flight was cut short after a disastrous start to the 1985 season with an under strength team, leading to them being expelled from the league. A few challenge matches later, and the track closed once again. 🖤 #BarrowBlackhawks #NeverSayDie
So why has the speedway in Barrow been such a rollercoaster ride? Perhaps it’s the challenge of finding a permanent home, maintaining a competitive team, or the fickle nature of fan support. Whatever the reason, the story of the Barrow Bombers (and their various incarnations) is a testament to the enduring appeal of this thrilling sport
Who knows, perhaps one day the roar will return to Barrow once more… 🤞 #ComebackKids #SpeedwayForever