There have been various football teams associated with Barrow. One of the first teams which originated in the late 19th century was Barrow ‘Rising Stars’ FC who were members of Loughborough & District League Their main successes were as winners of Div 1 in 1901/2, and Div 2 Champions in1902/3. They also won the Bass Charity, Rolleston and County Cups. The early 19th century saw the origination of the ‘Old Boys’ FC who comprised mainly of village boys from the local grammar school. They have successfully survived to the present and are now called ‘Barrow Town’ FC. Later teams to emerge were ‘Barrow Trinity’ and in the 1930s were ‘The Gunners’ and ‘Barrow Athletic’.
This sport has been popular in the village since the 18th century. The early 1900s saw several teams who represented the Grammar and Adult Schools, the Church , and Barrow South-end, and then ‘ Barrow Town’. The original pitch was on a field in Mill Lane, followed later at King George V Playing Field, Barrow /Quorn Road, and in 1930 to the present ground off Nottingham Road.
Barrow had a ladies Hockey Team during the first half of the 1900s. It played at the same pitch as Barrow ‘Rising Stars’ FC.
This brass band was formed in 1847 with 9 members under the leadership of Mr W Hatton. They won contests at Melton and Derby for presentation and marching. Major Martin was a keen supporter and he erected and presented a bandstand on recreation land in Mill Lane to the village and they played there every Feast Sunday. The band continued until WWII, and then later amalgamated with Sileby Band.
From 1794 – 1849, the unpleasant sport of cock-fighting was very popular in Barrow-upon-Soar. Scores of people gathered in North Street to take part in it. At one of these sporting events, the Village Watchman named Sharpe was sent for, but as soon as he arrived he was picked up by a burly Limestone Getter, who tucked him under his arm and carried him out of the way. Sharpe was crying “if you don’t put me down I shall lock you up”. According to hearsay, only one person could disperse the cock-fighting crowds and that was Rev. Easton. He would appear in his cap and gown and the disturbance would cease immediately. Cock-fighting was made illegal by Act of Parliament in 1849.
