| Graham Barrow |
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Graham Barrow (born Chorley , Lancashire , 13th June 1954 ) is an English former Footballer who has since become a lower division Manager . BARROW THE PLAYER Barrow first entered the Football League at the relatively late age of 27 in 1981 when he signed for Wigan Athletic from Altrincham , having earlier played for Chorley and Southport . He became a vital part of manager Larry Lloyd's promotion winning side, playing as a hard man in midfield, and further endeared himself to Wigan fans by putting in a man of the match performance in the Freight Rover Trophy final at Wembley Stadium in 1985 despite playing in the unfamiliar position of forward. He left the club for Chester City in 1986 after 212 appearances in all competitions (179 games, 36 goals in the League). While at Chester he was player assistant-manager to his long-term mentor, Harry McNally , and he was a major influence as Chester continually defied the odds to avoid relegation from Division Three . BARROW THE MANAGER Barrow began his managerial career with Chester City in 1992 (as player-manager). Although the team was relegated to the Football League Third Division in 1993 , Barrow inspired the team to bounce back the next season and gain promotion, but he resigned in the summer of 1994 in controversial circumstances. He retired from playing following his dismissal, having made 248 league appearances for the club, scoring 17 times. He returned to Wigan in 1994 and rescued his old club form relegation to the Football Conference . He was in charge of Rochdale A.F.C. from 1996 to 1999 , although the club failed to gain any success and he again failed to inspire Chester to promotion from the Conference when he returned to that club for the 2000-1 season. However, he retained the affection of supporters after working in difficult circumstances under Terry Smith and ended the season by winning the Nationwide Variety Club Trophy (Conference League Cup). His sacking in the summer was understandably opposed by most fans and Barrow would continually be linked with a return to the club as manager in future years. Barrow was manager of Bury , from January 2004 after a spell as assistant-manager to Andy Preece . However the club did not progress satisfactorily and as a result Barrow was dismissed in September 2005 . He returned to Chester at the end of the season, becoming assistant to manager Mark Wright . They were sacked together on April 29 , 2007 . Barrow is scheduled to have a testimonial at Chester in the near-future, as a reward for his long service to the club and staying loyal to Chester when offered the assistant-manager's position at Swansea City in February 2007 . HONOURS Player
Manager
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