John Barnes
When he did his thing the crowd went bananas
| Full name: | John Charles Bryan Barnes |
|---|---|
| Date of birth: | November 7, 1963 |
| Clubs played for: | Watford, Liverpool, Newcastle, Charlton |
| Clubs managed: | Celtic, Tranmere |
Club Career
A marauding winger with an athlete's physique and a penchant for the spectacular, John Barnes was an irresistible force during Liverpool's last great title-winning era. Blessed with a blistering turn of pace, he was both supplier and marksman, providing crosses from the byline or cutting inside, while scoring more than his fair share of goals for a wide player.
Recruited at the cost of £900,000 from Watford in 1987, he was an immediate success, helping Liverpool win the title in his debut season. A further League Championship (Liverpool's last) would follow. In his latter years Barnes would be converted into a holding midfield player, before leaving for Newcastle and later Charlton.
Club Stats
| Years | Clubs | App | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981-87 | Watford | 233 | 65 |
| 1987-97 | Liverpool | 316 | 84 |
| 1997-99 | Newcastle | 27 | 6 |
| 1999 | Charlton | 12 | 0 |
International Career
One of the great English enigmas, Barnes could never quite convert his scintillating club form onto the international stage. His debut came as a Watford player against Northern Ireland in May 1983, and his last cap was in a 0-0 friendly against Colombia in September 1995. In between, he endured years of fans' ire that he failed to peak in an England shirt, although he did play in both the 1986 and 1990 World Cup and the 1988 European Championship.
International Career Stats
| Years | Clubs | App | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983-95 | England | 79 | 11 |
Managerial Career
Barnes had a short and undistinguished spell as manager of Celtic in the late '90s that came to an abrupt end following an ignominious Cup defeat at the hands of Inverness. He later coached the Jamaica national team before taking over at Tranmere Rovers in 2009.
Key Games
Birmingham 1-3 Watford (FA Cup 6th round, March 10, 1984)
Barnes totally dominated this affair, scoring two goals, the first of which was a stunning solo effort from outside the area. Shrugging off two challengers he found the top corner of the net with a wicked curling shot with the outside of his left foot. His other was a much more simple tap-in at the far post, but this was Barnes' match from the first whistle to last. Although Watford would go on to reach the final but lose 2-0 to Everton, a new star was born.
Brazil 0-2 England (International friendly, June 10, 1984)
Although he enjoyed a 12-year international career, John Barnes the England player will always be remembered for one solitary moment of brilliance. During a friendly at the Estadio do Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, he gathered the ball on the left, weaved his way into the penalty area beating defender after defender, before coolly slotting the ball into the back of the net. This goal contributed not only to a 2-0 win but also to the legend of Barnes, the great underachiever.
Liverpool 3-2 Everton (FA Cup final, May 20, 1989
A year after Liverpool's calamitous defeat by Wimbledon in the 1988 FA Cup final and just five weeks after the Hillsborough disaster, this showpiece event took on special significance. And it didn't disappoint as a five-goal thriller ended in victory for the mourning Liverpool fans. John Aldridge gave the Reds their lead after just four minutes, finishing off a great breakaway move from deep in their own half. Liverpool held the lead until the 89th minute when Stuart McCall scrambled home an equaliser. In extra-time McCall scored his second, chesting and volleying a spectacular goal but Ian Rush levelled the scores with a great turn and shot from a Steve Nicol centre. The match was settled in the 104th minute when Barnes, a dynamic presence throughout, floated over a cross and Rush deftly headed home.
Honours
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | League Championship | 1987-88, 1989-90 |
| FA Cup | 1989, 1992 | |
| League Cup | 1995 | |
| PFA Player of the Year | 1988 | |
| Football Writers' Footballer of the Year | 1988, 1990 |
Did You Know...?
Although he would become one of Europe's prized assets, Barnes signed for Watford from Sudbury Court for the princely sum of one set of football kits.
Legend has it that Kenny Dalglish decided to sign Barnes after asking his players to vote for the footballer who had caused them most problems during the previous season.
Barnes joined forces with Les Ferdinand and Luther Blissett to form Team48Motorsport – an organisation to promote young racing drivers of Afro-Caribbean background in the search for 'a new Lewis Hamilton'.
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