WHATEVER HAPPENED TO ALBERT MOBILITY?

Years after his mysterious disappearance, they still talk about Barrow AFC'S Al Mobility, his goalscoring feats, his huge appetite and the sacred potted plant which he always carried under his arm on the field of play during his short but triumphant career at Holker Street.

The Al Mobility Story was devised and recorded by girls from St Bernard's RC school at various Al-related sites around Barrow's ground , with the help of writer and broadcaster Ian McMillan, writer Kate Davis, Teacher / AFC Director David Ingham and project Co-ordinator John Hall.

Through interviews with Mobility's family, schoolfriends , fans and team mates we hear the story of his exploits, his struggle to continue playing while carrying a shrub, and the controversial sending-off which hastened his disappearance.

The piece was broadcast on Abbey FM earlier this year, and meanwhile a trawl through the local archives has unearthed clippings and ephemera that put a face to the legend, and provide a taste of the esteem with which this clean man with short spikey hair was held.

Live Event & Exhibition 17/10/08

The Barrow AFC Football Orchestra -
Live at Holker Street



Nine children from Barrow Island Community Primary School brought experimental music to football fans at Holker St. on Saturday 20th September with the first performance by the Barrow AFC Football Orchestra.



Leading in to the match against Kettering Town, the orchestra performed three 5 minute pieces of music that turned the Holker Street 5-a-side pitch into a giant piece of graphic notation. Orchestra members alternated between roles, taking turns to play football and their instruments respectively.

Instruments included guitars open-tuned to the notes BAFC, egg timers, a drum machine, a thumb piano, a small wooden frog and a contact miked (and heavily reverbed) computer keyboard. See the video clip below for an excerpt from the performance.

Screening of Unbridled at Holker St 20/09/08

The Barrow AFC Football Orchestra
(Pt. 3)



Children from Barrow Island Community Primary School picked up a selection of instruments and household objects in preparation for a performance at Holker Street that took place on Saturday 20th September. During the rehearsal sessions pictured here, the children concentrated on playing together and communicating as a group as well as looking at ways of introducing contrast into the music they had been making. All of the sessions have been recorded, and a selection will be transferred and given to orchestra members as a CD in the near future.

Limited Edition Barrow AFC Poster

A limited edition of 150 screen printed posters, produced to accompany the forthcoming live event at Holker Street in October, are now available from the club shop, priced at £5 each with all proceeds going to the club.


The print was recently featured in an exhibition of contemporary poster art at Portsmouth's SPACE gallery as part of the city's annual art week events.
Visit: http://art.route.dream.googlepages.com/grossclinic
for more details.

More From Barrow Live

Damian Rose performing as Mondo Bongo at the Barrow Live festival.