EYES ON OPPONENT

It was a sad start to the 2011/2012 season with the sudden passing away of Kenneth Peters on 15th June 2011. Kenneth was also the club president and the father of our Manager. On the field of play, further success was to come with more silverware, this following a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Maine Road in the NWCFL Challenge Cup Final, which was played at the Tameside Stadium Ashton, in front of a big crowd, Davey Luker captained the team.

The 2012/2013 season was another difficult time at the club following the sad deaths of people dearly close to the club. Four came in the month of 12th October, from which the biggest shock was 27-year-old player Bryan Herbert. On the pitch, the team again did well by getting to yet another cup final, and this time it was the Lancashire FA Cooperative Trophy Final played at the Reebok Stadium at Bolton. Despite playing a team from two leagues above, Bacup gave an excellent account of themselves against a team from the Evo Stick Premier Division, AFC Fylde ran out 2-0 winners.

17th June 2013, Bacup Borough officially adopted the title of Rossendale; this came about following the sad demise of Rossendale United FC, thus leaving Bacup Borough as the Rossendale Valley’s most senior football club. They were now the sole flag bearers of the Rossendale Valley, and, for the commercial side, it made sense to add ‘Rossendale’ to the club’s name, making the club Bacup & Rossendale Borough FC. The new name also brings a newly designed crest to form its own identity, with a plan for progression in place and the words ‘Prosperity Through Endeavour’ prominently featured.

The 2013/2014 season was a nail-biter until the last game, but with BARB’s place in the Premier Division secured, the club is ready to progress with its ambitious plans as Rossendale’s number-one football club.