Groundtastic GT23 | Page 37

Barry Town Floodlights Having been loyal members of the Southern League since 1913, the powers that be turned a blind eye to the poor condition of Jenner Park for as long as they could. For instance, floodlights, which by now were standard at nearly every Southern League ground were still conspicuous by their absence, thanks in part to the intransigence of the local council. Finally however, in 1982 Barry bowed to the inevitable and after a stay of 69 years left the Southern League to join the Welsh League. Dressing Rooms and Cover Cover Tea Hut Cover Running Track Boardroom and Cover Entrance from Gladstone Road Popular Cover Social Club Tea Huts Toilets A Plan of Jenner Park as it was in 1980 In contrast to their mostly unproductive time in the Southern League, Barry won the Welsh League six seasons out of seven from 1982 to 1989. It was during this period that the local council decided to get behind the club and the previously moribund Jenner Park was brought back to life. A startling new grandstand was erected on the popular bank side. Featuring a high multi-section roof, this ultra modern stand completely changed the slightly seedy outlook of Jenner Park. With the addition of floodlights, Barry were able to resume their membership of the Southern League in 1989. Meanwhile, big changes were afoot in Welsh domestic football, and in 1993 they left the Southern League for good, eventually joining the League of Wales after storming to the Welsh League championship in 1994. Determined to become the powerhouse of the fledgling national league, a Groundtastic page 37 Issue 23