The Club is saddened to hear the news that former Bluebirds midfielder Tony Morrin has passed away at the age of 74.
Barrow were struggling following the departure of manager Colin Appleton in early 1969 and new Manager Norman Bodell signed Tony from Stockport County in early March, shortly after he had taken charge.
Tony had previously been on the books of Bury and Burnley, and he made his Barrow debut in a 2-0 home win over Torquay United. His first goal came in a Good Friday home win over Rotherham United. He scored his only double for the team in the final home game of the season – a comfortable win over Bristol Rovers as the team secured survival in Division Three. He was ever-present after his signing with three goals in 15 outings.
The 1969/70 season saw the Club relegated from Division Three, in no small way due to a run of 17 games without a win between the end of August and December. Throughout that run, Tony was ever-present and, despite the struggles over the course of the season, he missed just one of the team’s 60 competitive games – a Lancashire Senior Cup tie at home to Netherfield in December.
Tony was a steady player in midfield, capable of winning the ball and also making chances. Following the departure of Norman Bodell and the return of Don McEvoy as Manager, Tony remained a constant and he scored three goals that season. Those strikes included two in McEvoy’s first three games in charge, as well as his last goal for the Club in a 3-1 win over his first club Bury in February 1970. Tony’s six goals for Barrow were all scored at Holker Street. Tony was the club’s only ever-present player in the League that season.
The 1970/71 season saw Barrow finish rock bottom of Division Four. Tony was again a regular until early January 1971 when he missed 10 games. He returned for the run-in that saw us win four from ten and he made 39 appearances that season.
After playing a total of 113 games for Barrow, he was released in the summer of 1971 and went on to enjoy success with Exeter City. He also played against us for The Grecians in our final Football League game in 1972.
He later had a second spell at Stockport and a season with Rochdale before finishing his career in the Northern Premier League with Bangor City.
Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Tony’s family and friends at this time.