History of Barkway & Barley FC
08 Aug 2011

Barkway & Barley Football Club was originally founded in 2007 under the name of Barley FC. Founder, Leon Holden, entered a team in to the VB Trophies Cambridge & District Sunday League, formerly known as the Halls of Cambridge League during the summer of '07. The team was made up of a local group of friends from Barley and the surrounding villages.

Since then, the Club has been through several management changes, whereby it has now ended up in the hands of female manager, Amy Shepherd, who took over midway through the 2010/11 season. Leon Holden still plays a heavy role within the club, and his wife, Erin Holden, has regained the Club's treasurer role.

From 2007 till 2010, the Club had always remained in the lowest division of the Cambridge & District Sunday League, very rarely moving from the lower half of the table. However, at the beginning of the 2010/11 season, Barley FC gained interest from several new players, all with great potential. This saw the Club have a new lease of life, whereby they went on to have their best season since being founded. Even though, it also saw Leon Holden's first ever red card of his playing career! Barley FC managed to secure 4th place, which bought them huge delight as it meant they gained promotion for the first time in its history.

During the summer of 2011, Barley FC continued their redevelopment process by changing the Club’s name to Barkway & Barley Football Club. This came about after negotiations were taken place between Barkway Parish Council and Barley FC, as their home turf is situated at Barkway recreation ground. With plans to redevelop the sports pavilion in place, it was felt it would be sensible for Barkway to have their own football team once again. With the success of this agreement, it enabled the Club to be granted a fee from the Barkway Parish Council, as well as gaining sponsorship from local business Draytons Garage in Barley, to help fund the purchase of a new kit including the Club’s new Barkway & Barley badge.

This brings us up to the present day, whereby we see Barkway & Barley FC begin their 2011/12 campaign in their highest league ever, division 2B. This latest season will also be Amy Shepherd’s first full season in charge, after her efforts in redeveloping the Club, along with the appointment of Seb Evans as the Club’s captain. With more new signings, a new look, new links and relationships, and the future sport pavilion redevelopment, Barkway & Barley FC are definitely continuing to make a name for themselves and cannot wait to get the new season underway!