Having finished visiting all of the Blue Square Premier (Conference) grounds last season I was keen to visit one of the newly promoted clubs’ grounds and also see my first Barrow match of the campaign.

I travelled to Newton For Hyde by train from Manchester Piccadilly which only takes fifteen minutes. I followed the directions  Had been given and noted that Sheffield Road is not well sign-posted resulting us walking the wrong way initially. Fans should note that the first main road encountered is Commercial Brow where you should turn left towards the motorway over-bridge.

The ground has a pleasant setting, with rolling hills behind the Main Stand and it was a warm and balmy night, unusual for summer 2012. The branding around the ground shows a heavy influence of near neighbours Manchester City which personally I welcome: it is good to see the large clubs supporting clubs further down the football pyramid.

The burgers at £2.50 were of slightly superior to many encountered elsewhere. There was a good atmosphere in the 798 crowd which included about one hundred and fifty travellers from Barrow who enjoyed the recent removal for the “United“ from Hyde’s name with chants of  “you sold your history”. The staff and stewards that I met in the ground were pleasant and friendly, with no “jobsworths” encountered.

The superior pitch that appears to be a legacy of the City connection ensured some quality football from Hyde who probably should have shaded the game, particularly after beating Danny Hurst in the Barrow goal only to be denied by the crossbar. Barrow took up the mantle of positive passing in the last fifteen minutes but without the killer blow to kill the game off. The 0-0 result was probably fair ending but all in all an enjoyable visit.

Mike Kimberley

Barrow AFC fan and Ninety-Two Club Member