History 1 of 3

1. History 1


The Club played for the first time in the Midland Combination under the name of Barwell FC in the 1992/3 season when Hinckley FC joined forces with Barwell Athletic from the Leicestershire Senior League. Barwell became one of the founder members of the Midland Football Alliance League on its formation in 1994/95. The Sports complex with its bowling, cricket, and football facilities and sports club is situated just out of the centre of the village making it an ideal venue for local residents.

The facilities of the complex include a cricket pitch - which was used for two Leicestershire first eleven county championship matches just after the Second World War, is a current venue for some Leicestershire second eleven and youth team matches. There is an outdoor bowling green and a magnificent indoor bowls centre complete with bar and restaurant serving a wide range of drinks and meals at prices to suit all pockets.

Floodlights were installed prior to the 1992/93 season and have been updated to comply with current FA lighting regulations. A new cantilever stand to seat 500 spectators was built prior to 1996/7 season and during the 1997/8 close season the ground was enclosed, an important step in our quest for higher status. Towards the end of 2000/01 season a new cantilever stand was erected at Kirkby Road, and officially opened by goalkeeper Chris Kirkland on 31st July 2001 - a Barwell lad.

Barwell reached the last sixteen of the FA Vase in 1995/6 losing 3-1 away at Flixon. In 2009/10 they reached the semi final narrowly losing out to eventual winners Whitley Bay after two keenly contested legs. Other honours include the Leicestershire Senior Cup in 1996/7, the Presidents Trophy in August 1997. They have also reached the final of the Westerby Cup (played at Filbert Street and latterly the Walkers Stadium) in 1999/2000, 2000/01 and 2004/5 unfortunately losing all three finals to Leicester City, Hinckley Utd and Oadby Town respectively then beating Quorn in 2008/09 and narrowly losing to Loughborough Dynamo the following year. Barwell also reached the League Cup Final losing after extra time to Rushall Olympic.

A new Manager, Bob Steel, took over the reins at Barwell in February 2004 and brought in Steve Greenhill and Ian Blyth as Assistant Managers (with Ian also being coach). He has steadied the side and instilled his way of playing into the players and gradually collected the squad he wanted.

2006/7 finally put some silverware on the shelf when Barwell won the Polymac services league cup final at Walsall's Bescot Stadium, beating Leamington 3-1.

2006/07 saw Barwell finish in a disappointing 6th position and come runners up in both the Westerby Cup and the Rolleston Charity Cup. It was also the first season for Barwell's Youth team who played in the Leicestershire Midweek Floodllit Youth League finishing a creditable 6th in the League and to round things off, the reserves also finished 6th with a great run of results to finish the season.

2007/08 was a somewhat mixed season for the Club. The first team saw two changes of manager. Bob Steel stood down in November to take on the running of the Sports Bar on the complex and his Assistant Ian Blyth took over as manager. After a run of indifferent results and the team slipping towards the bottom three, the Club decided to appoint a new manager in Marcus Law. Marcus took over the reins in February and with a run of good results lifted the Club to a respectable mid-table finish. The Reserves had a great season, despite losing a lot of players to the First Team, finishing 3rd with the Youth Team finishing runners up.

2008/09 was Marcus' first full season at the Club and he has brought in Paul O'Brien as his Assistant with Coach Lee Knibbs, Goalkeeping Coach Pat Pattinson and Sports Therapist Alan Cooke. They finished runners up in the League on 91 points and also won the Westerby Cup beating Quorn 2-0 at the Walkers Stadium.