Ahead of the Spireites’ return to the Football League and League Two, we are going to take a look at all 23 other teams that make up the division.
We are continuing with Barrow:
FACT FILE
Team Name: Barrow Association Football Club
Nickname: The Bluebirds
Year Founded: 1901
Stadium: Holker Street
Capacity: 6,500
2023/24 SEASON
Things started very brightly for Barrow, defeats to Stockport County, Mansfield Town and Grimsby Town by October didn’t disrupt their ascent up the table. From early October until New Year’s Day, Pete Wild’s side did not lose in the league – a 14-game unbeaten streak. The cup competitions failed to bring much in the way of news as the Cumbrian side were out of the Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Bristol Street Motors Trophy by December. As the turn of the year came, the Bluebirds form seemed to struggle with five defeats in nine games. A six-game unbeaten streak in March kept their very strong play-off hopes alive. However, no wins in their final seven meant an eighth place finish and no play-off football. The club parted company with Wild following the end of the campaign.
MANAGER
Stephen Clemence had a 13-year playing career in the top two divisions of English football. The midfielder had stints with Tottenham Hotspur, Birmingham City and Leicester City. After retiring in 2010, he moved into coaching and had spells at numerous clubs as a coach. In November 2023, Clemence was named as League Two side Gillingham’s head coach. His first managerial spell was turbulent one as the Gills struggled for consistent form. Gillingham parted company with the former England U21 international following the final game of the season. Clemence was named as Barrow manager following Pete Wild’s departure.
Stephen Clemence
STAR PLAYER (INC LAST SEASON’S STATS)
Kian Spence was a standout player for FC Halifax Town in the National League, which earned him a move to the Football League and Barrow. His first season in Cumbria has been a big success. The midfielder not only works hard in the middle of the pitch but also provides going forwards.
Last season in numbers:
Appearances – 49
Goals – 9
Assists – 6
Yellow Cards – 7
Red Cards – 0
Minutes Played – 3,700
Kian Spence
PLAYED FOR BOTH
Mike Jones joined Barrow in 2020 after leaving neighbours Carlisle United at the end of that season. He started in a majority of the games until November of that year until he suffered an Achilles injury. The midfielder only made a handful more appearances before he was released in the summer of 2022.
After a stint training with Farsley Celtic, to help with his fitness levels, Jones joined Chesterfield on an initial trial period. Solid performances throughout pre-season earned a contract and the veteran midfielder soon became a fan favourite for his work rate and attitude. He was a part of the Spireites brilliant National League title success last season.
Mike Jones
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
P 57 W 25 D 12 L 20
Despite not having a competitive fixture for 51 years until 2018, Chesterfield and Barrow have met 57 times since 1921. The sides mostly met in Division Three (North) and the Spireites have the upper hand. However, the Cumbrian side have not lost since the sides reunited with each other six years ago.
PREVIOUS GAME
During the 2019/20 campaign, both clubs only met once due to the season being disrupted. In the August, the SMH Group Stadium played host to the fixture. The away side looked to have control of the game by first half stoppage time; former Spireite Bradley Barry and Scott Quigley gave Barrow a two-goal lead. Scott Boden pulled a goal back with a penalty just before the break. Mike Fondop secured a point for Chesterfield with ten minutes to go with a header that beat Joel Dixon.
