Read up on all the information you need to know ahead of Saturday's Sky Bet League Two encounter with Hartlepool United.
Opposition
Formed in 1881 as West Hartlepool Amateur Football Club they became members of the Durham FA in 1883, They would gain professional status in 1908. A certain Brian Clough arrived at the helms of Hartlepool in 1966, turning around the club from the doldrums and inputting a sense of pride into the club. He would build the team that would later gain Hartlepool’s first promotion under Gus McClean.
Possibly Hartlepool’s most famous fixture came in the FA Cup Third against the Busby Babes in 1957. A crowd that day of 17,426 would see the Pools just get edged out 4-3 with Busby himself going on to state, “The most exciting game I’ve watched”.
Keith Curle’s side comes to the SO Legal Stadium on the back of a victorious penalty display to advance to the Emirates FA Cup Second Round on Tuesday night. An 89th minute equaliser ensured Pools took the Replay with Solihull Moors to extra time. In terms of the League, Hartlepool sits 23rd having won only once in their last six outings. The North East side saw defeat last weekend away at high-flying Stevenage.
Head To Head
The two sides have faced each other 87 times dating back to 1922, with Barrow achieving 33 wins. Bluebirds were victorious when Hartlepool last came to Holker Street, Dimitri Disseka Sea scoring the winning goal in the 72nd minute to give Barrow all 3pts in the thriller.
Hartlepool and Barrow played off a 1-1 draw in the first game post-war, 31st August 1946 at Victoria Park. The fixture was played in the old Division Three (North) in front of 7259 supporters.
Referee
The man with the whistle at the SO Legal Stadium this afternoon will be Leigh Doughty. He’ll be assisted by Paul Hodskinson and Richard Wild. Thomas Parsons has been assigned to Fourth Official duties for today’s fixture.
Doughty has officiated 12 Sky Bet Championship games this season, with his most recent assignment coming last Saturday when he oversaw Norwich City’s home defeat against Middlesbrough.
His only Barrow match came last season, when Barrow were held to a 1-1 draw with Walsall at Holker Street.
Tickets
As always, tickets for The Bluebirds' home games can be purchased at the SO Legal Stadium prior to the game or purchased online.
Live Streaming
Due to the World Cup, live streaming will be allowed on Saturdays, which means that Barrow v Hartlepool United will be available on iFollow in the UK and abroad.
You can buy a video match pass HERE.
Live Commentary
We will be providing live online audio commentary from every game this season as we continue our link-up with BBC Radio Cumbria.
Fans will be able to listen to commentators Adam Johnson and John Goodwin at the SO Legal Stadium to describe all the action as it unfolds.
You can purchase an Audio Match Pass for £2.50, an Audio Monthly Pass for £4.49 or sign-up for Audio Season Pass which provides all live commentary and video news for just £45.