Holker Street

Holker Street is a football ground in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. It sits on land once used by the Furness Railway as a rubbish tip before Hindpool Athletic turned it into a rough pitch. Barrow Association Football Club moved there in 1909 and have played there ever since. The ground once hosted speedway and had squash courts, though these are now gone. Its capacity is just over six thousand, yet it once held nearly seventeen thousand for an FA Cup tie in 1954. The ground’s history includes early wooden stands, post-war terracing and a speedway track that briefly circled the pitch. Floodlights went up in 1963, and the Main Stand was rebuilt in 1998. The CrossBar leisure club now occupies the Steelworks End, serving as the match-day hospitality suite. Recent additions include temporary stands and extra seating after the club returned to the Football League. Visitors find three sides of open terracing and one seated stand raised above the pitch. The Popular Side has the only covered terrace, while the Main Stand faces Wilkie Road. Basic catering is available on match days, and the ground keeps a traditional feel despite modern changes. The floodlights and the CrossBar remain prominent features, marking the stadium’s long life in the town.