Last updated 16:12, Monday, 05 January 2009

THERE were 7,000 Bluebirds packed into the South Stand of the Riverside on Saturday. Reporter MOLLY LYNCH spoke to some of them as they boarded their coaches in Barrow, got ready to enter the stadium and came out again after a match none of them will ever forget

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Ready to board the victory bus
THE road to the Riverside was a rocky one for a group of fans, who almost did not make it to the match.
The Independent Supporters Club were left wondering if they would ever get there when their coach broke down on the A590, just 40 minutes into their journey.
This came as a huge blow to the club, who travel to every away game the squad plays.
Stuart Nichols, 27, of Pine Road, Barrow organises the coaches.
He said: “It was a shame that had to happen on the day.
“We were panicking at first a bit, but they were sending another coach out to us to replace it.
“Some other coaches stopped off on the way if they had a spare seat to offer it to some people which was helpful.”
Thankfully the fans made the stadium in good time.
Nichols said: “We knew we would make it in the end and I am very glad we did.”

Everyone proud of the Barrow boys
NEVER before has the support for a losing team outshone that of the winners’.
But anyone who witnessed the reaction of Barrow fans leaving the stadium on Saturday night would have thought the Bluebirds had come away with a win.
Boro fans did not gloat with a rendition of You’re not singing anymore because they would have been wrong.
Despite the team’s 2-1 defeat, FA cup magic had truly touched the 7,000 supporters whose cheers and singing echoed across the Riverside.
The fact the lads put on an outstanding display against Middlesbrough was hailed as a victory in itself.
And Jason Walker’s goal only furthered the notion that Barrow AFC are a force to be reckoned with.
Phil Shand, 30, of Ramsden Street, Barrow said: “The fact that one of our team scored away from home against a team who are paid thousands of pounds a week means the world to all of us.
“It has been a beautiful day.”
Stephen Forbes, 19, from Barrow, said: “I am a bit annoyed that we lost because I did think we could have equalised at one point but I am proud of the team and the whole town.”
Among the 7,000-strong crowd at the Riverside was Greg Curtis, the cousin of Wayne Curtis, the local lad who made his Barrow AFC debut on Saturday.
Greg, 15, of Jarrow Street, Barrow said: “I felt really proud watching my cousin and the rest of the lads. I never miss a game and this has been a fantastic day. It was awesome.”
Greg travelled to Middlesbrough as part of the Independent Supporters’ Club.
For fans who are more used to the surroundings of Holker Street Stadium, seeing their favourite players in front of a crowd of 25,132 was unbelievable.
Adam Bell, 15, of The Crescent, Barrow said: “Today has been absolutely fantastic. I have never witnessed anything like it. It was definitely one of the highlights of my life.”
Many Holker Street regulars hoped that more fans would be inspired to watch the Bluebirds more often following Saturday’s spectacular display.
Kieron Hayman, 15, of Romney Road added: “It has been a brilliant day, I just hope that some of the people who have travelled here today carry on their interest in Barrow and come to league games.”
This sentiment was reiterated by joint-managers Darren Sheridan and Dave Bayliss in a post-match press conference.
For many young, devoted fans being at the match was a dream come true.
Reece Downing may only be 14 but has supported Barrow AFC since the day he was born.
He said: “Being in the crowd was the best feeling I have had in my life. It doesn’t matter that much that we lost.”
Barrow AFC’s FA Cup journey may be over for now, but for the 7,000 fans who were in the crowd at the Riverside it will never be forgotten.

Supporters full of anticipation outside the Riverside
ARRIVING at Middlesbrough’s home ground, fans looked on in disbelief.
Supporters posed for pictures outside the gates of the 35,100-capacity Riverside Stadium.
And they looked on in awe at the über-expensive cars pulling up in the opposition’s car park.
Barrow-born fan Roger Holme, 48 had travelled from his home in Edinburgh to watch the match.
He said: “I have been watching Barrow since the 1960s, so being here today is absolutely fantastic.
“The fans have always been great and it shows with us bringing 7,000 of them.
“You look around you at the people outside this stadium and it is blue and white, not red.”
Teenagers Matthew Hackett and Christian Callister, both 14, rarely miss a Barrow AFC game.
They were keen to wax lyrical about their pride for the Bluebirds.
Matthew said: “Today is amazing, we have been following the lads all season and them getting here is brilliant.”
Christian added: “You can’t believe that they have come from Holker Street to play here.”
As coaches pulled up in the car park, fans were eager to get to their seats in time for the game. Some supporters turned their trip into a weekend of celebrations.
Carl Harley, 20, and his group of friends were nursing sore heads on match day following a colourful overnight stay in Newcastle on Friday.
He said: “We had a big night out because we wanted to start the celebrations a bit earlier. I have been looking forward to this day more than I was for Christmas.
“Barrow are going to win.”