WHEN: April 1972

WHERE: Holker Street

WHEN Barrow square up to Hartlepool at Holker Street today, survival will be a word on the lips of many home and away supporters.

In AFC’s case it is all about National League survival.

And while Hartlepool are also embroiled in the relegation battle – lying just one place above the Bluebirds – there are bigger things at stake at Victoria Park. The North East club’s whole future has been cast into doubt by financial problems.

Back in April 1972 – the most recent time the sides played each other at Holker Street – it was Barrow who were desperately trying to secure their future, with the threat of being dumped out of the Football League hanging over their heads.

AFC had already been forced to apply for re-election 10 times in their league history, and when they found themselves down the wrong end of the old fourth division once again, fans had good reason to feel anxious.

So when Barrow beat Hartlepool 2-1 on that Easter Monday to lighten the mood, the Evening Mail headline summed up a far from spectacular performance when it said: ‘Only Steve sparkled – but result is main thing now’.

Weeks down the line would come one of the darkest chapters in the club’s history when they were dumped out of the league.

But on that April day at least there was still some optimism around Holker Street after goals from the aforementioned ‘Steve’ (Calvert) and Mick Hollis earned them the points.

Hartlepool had travelled from the east coast to the west on the back of a five-match unbeaten run, but were second best on the day, as Calvert’s busy performance proved pivotal.

He set up the opener for Hollis after what the Evening Mail’s correspondent Mike Young described as “33 fairly pedestrian minutes in which Barrow looked a little more likely to score than their rivals.”

Calvert’s left-wing cross evaded a bunch of Harlepool defenders and the ball reached Eddie Garbett. His shot was blocked on the line before Hollis was on hand to score the easiest of goals.

Calvert wrapped up the points in the 69th minute with the help of a slice of luck, when his effort was allowed to stand after team-mate Garbett got wrapped up in the goal netting after an unsuccessful attempt to score.

Hartlepool’s protests for offisde against Garbett were rebuffed as the referee instead decided he wasn’t interfering with play, and Barrow had some breathing space with a two-goal cushion.

It was just as well for AFC, as Hartlepool came to life in the latter stages and hit the woodwork, while Barrow had goalkeeper Harry Thomson to thank for superbly denying another effort.

Unfortunately, despite this win, Barrow lost five of their remaining seven fixtures – including a final-day 7-1 drubbing at Exeter.

And despite the fact they finished third-from-bottom – with Stockport and Crewe below them – AFC failed in their re-election bid, with FA Cup heroes Hereford winning more votes after a second ballot.

Relegation from the fourth tier was a different scenario then from what it is today, with the modern-day pyramid system seeing clubs often yo-yoing between League Two and the National League. Losing your league status back then had a feeling of finality about it – and 46 years later Barrow are still waiting to return.

Current owner Paul Casson – who had watched the club thriving in the third division as a youngster in the 1960s – is determined to get them back there.

Casson’s dream needs to be put on hold for at least one more season thouugh as the Bluebirds fight to preserve ther non-league top-flight status – starting with today’s match against Hartlepool.

Barrow: Thomson, Russell, Knox, Clarke, Noble, Harrison, Garbett, Calvert, Irvine, McDonald, Hollis. Sub: R Hughes.

Hartlepool: Hillyard, Potter, Goad, Ashurst, Green, Dawes, Waddell, Smith, Ellis, Young, Warnock. Sub: Sharkey.

Referee: Mr R N Perkin. (Littleworth).

Attendance: 2,717.