Match Preview: Barnoldswick (A)

By Brendan Doyle

Bootle FC visit Barnoldswick in our second pre-season friendly, as Alan Morgan's side visit the Silentnight Stadium as we ramp up our preparations for the big kick off on 2nd August as Bootle FC welcome 1874 Northwich in the Emirates FA Cup.

A defeat last week against Maghull in the pre-season opener was a good way for Bootle supporters to get back to the football, and to see new faces including James Hammill, who scored the only goal for Bootle in the game.

Club History:

The original Barnoldswick Town joined the Lancashire Combination in 1924. After finishing bottom of the league in 1932–33 and 1933–34, they left the league. They joined the Yorkshire League in 1935, but left after a single season, and subsequently folded.

The modern club was established in 1972 as Barnoldswick United (1972), and joined the Craven & District League, where they played until joining the East Lancashire League in the beginning of the 1990s. In 1997, they switched to Division Two of the West Lancashire League. After finishing as runners up in their first season, they were promoted to Division One.

The following season saw them win Division One, earning promotion to the Premier Division. In 2003, the club absorbed Barnoldswick Park Rovers and Salterforth Juniors, and was renamed Barnoldswick Town. A sixth-place finish in the 2008–09 season was enough to see them promoted to Division One of the North West Counties League. They earned back-to-back promotions after finishing as runners up in Division One in the 2009/10 season and were promoted to the Premier Division.

Form Guide: DLLLD

The Manager: Steve Pickup was appointed manager of Barnoldswick Town back in March 2024 having previously managed Colne, Padiham and Northwich Victoria.

Key Player: Player coach Chris Humphrey has a lot of experience to bring to the squad having played at international level for Jamaica and has also played for Shrewsbury Town, Motherwell, Preston North End and Hibernian.

Fan Guide: Tickets are £5 for adults and £3 for concessions, food and drink are also available in the bar.

Last Five Seasons:

• 2024/25: North West Counties Premier Division One

• 2023/24: North West Counties Premier Division One

• 2022/23: North West Counties Premier Division One

• 2022/21: North West Counties Premier Division One

• 2021/20: North West Counties Premier Division One

Fact File:

Nickname: Barlick

Ground: Silentnight Stadium for sponsorship reasons but traditionally known as Greenberfield Lane.

Capacity: 1,500 (150 seated)

Recent Honours: Craven Cup 2010/11

Distance From The Berry Street Garage Stadium: 59 miles