Barwell 2 GNE 0

This week we mourn the death of Steve Baran. At times like this, family connections are often strengthened as geographically remote members of families meet up to pay their respects to a loved one. Whilst Steve’s family gather together and give strength and support to each other at this most difficult of times, this applies in a somewhat similar way to what we may describe as Steve’s “extended family”. This concept of the extended family, which we may call the “GNE family”, is gloriously reflected in the thread on the GNE Message Board. In these messages of respect and condolence, we see a coming together of individuals, mainly still local but also now from various parts of the country, who remember Steve and his contribution to their lives going back 50 years or so. This is reflected also in many private conversations around the town this week and also reflected by individuals in quieter moments; and for those who may detect a small tear-stain in the corner of the paper, I am not alone.

As many of us struggle to find words to express our own feelings at this time, we can sometimes take solace in the words of others, often reflected in verse.


Life is but a stopping place,
A pause in what’s to be,
A resting place along the road,
to sweet eternity.

We all, have different journeys,
Different paths along the way,
We all were meant to learn some things,
but never meant to stay.

Our destination is a place,
Far greater than we know,
For some the journey’s quicker,
For some the journeys slow,
And when the journey finally ends,
We’ll claim a great reward,
And find an everlasting peace,
Together with the Lord.



The author of this well known piece is unknown but I hope that all can find some relevant meaning somewhere in these 16 lines.

In due time, the memory of Steve will be enshrined in some way at his beloved Surrey Street. If any potential replacement for the scrattin’ shed is named in Steve’s honour then so be it but, whatever the future may hold, the name of Steve Baran and his contribution to Glossop North End AFC will never be forgotten.

And at Barwell on a wet Saturday afternoon, thoughts of Steve are at the forefront of the minds of many. As the Glossop support, of well over 100 from a gate of 306, gather at the Barwell clubhouse, black armbands are improvised. Black armbands are also worn by the players of both sides as Barwell FC mourn the recent death of Anita Burton who was the wife of Colin Burton who is Vice Chairman of Barwell FC.

The minutes silence is impeccably observed by all in the ground.

It was in 1981, in an interview on Granada TV, that Bill Shankly said “Someone said to me “To you, football is a matter of life or death” and I said “listen, it’s more important than that”.”

Well, you make your own minds up on that one but what I will say is that today, and forever, we remember the life of Steve Baran with the greatest of love and affection and, by the way, GNE lost a football match.

R.I.P. Steve.