The club is saddened to report on the death of former Shrimps’ star Johnny Martin.
A popular ball player Johnny, who spent four seasons with the Shrimps, was almost an ever present in the 1966/67 Lancashire Combination League winning side.
Signed by Ken Waterhouse as an 18-year-old from Barrow, Martin made a big impression after making his debut in a 3-2 friendly victory over Workington on August 6, 1966.
His league debut was a memorable one. In a 2-0 win over Burscough on August 20 he was booked, missed a penalty, had a goal disallowed for offside and set up both goals.
In his first season he scored 14 goals in 41 league and 23 cup appearances.
The following season he made 26 league and 12 cup appearances and scored eight goals.
He was a Combination League and Cup winner in 1966-67 and 1967-68 and a Lancashire Senior Cup winner in 1967-68.
Unfortunately the next two seasons were not as fruitful. He made just four starts in the 1968/69 season and 15 the following year.
His final game was in a 3-0 defeat at South Liverpool on January 31, 1970. He went on to join Netherfield and then Barrow and was regarded as being one of the most talented attacking midfielders the Holker Street club possessed in the early yearsof their non-league days.
He played 182 games for Barrow between 1973 and 1977, netting 34 goals and went on to become a well-respected manager at Holker Old Boys and other local clubs.
Our thoughts and best wishes are with his family at this time.