BARRIE KING

A superb old fashioned Number 6 Left Half, who became the first Professional Player at Barnet in 1965, sadly passed away last month

It is was much sadness that I learnt of the passing of one of Barnet Football Clubs's most influential and respected players, Barrie King, who died in Australia at the age of 74.

Barrie King

Roger Jones, long time supporter and ex Barnet Press Sports Editor, was a dear friend of Barrie's and he rang the the other evening with the news.

Born in West Drayton on the 4^th July 1940 he started his career with Watford schoolboys before joining St Albans City in 1957. An FA amateur international he also represented Middlesex Wanderers before moving to Hitchin Town in 1963.

Barnet Manager Dexter Adams signed King prior to Barnet's first season in the Southern League and became the club's first professional player in 1965. He was essentially a midfield player but in those times he was known as a Left Half, in the number 6 shirt.

Debut 1965, Barrie back row 2nd from the right

He debut on 21^st August 1965, Barnet's first game as a semi professional club saw the following Bees line up thrash Hinckley Athletic 10-1.

Johnny Barr – Bobby Warman, Jeff Voyce – Les Picking, Dennis Roach, Barrie King – Don Whyte, Les Eason, Roger Figg, Tony Harding, Reg Finch.

Forming a midfield partnership with Gerry Ward, Barnet were pioneers of a 4-2-4 line-up in the Southern League in the mid 60's, he appeared in over 400 games for the club between 1965-1972. Said Les Eason, “Barrie was ball winner of the team, the terrier, his job was to win the ball and just give it to Gerry to do the passing.”

Barry and Gerry Ward 1966

Although goalscoring was never his forte – records show he only scored two first team goals while at Underhill - he did score perhaps the most bizarre ever Barnet own goal in an FA Cup tie at Kettering in 1971. With Barnet leading two nil Barrie turned to lob a back pass perfectly over Bees goalkeeper Jack McClelland from fully half way. Fortunately the Bees went on to win 4-2.

He played at Wembley in the 1972 FA Trophy Final when Barnet were defeated 0-3 but his contribution to that team, in those seasons, can never be underestimated.

Barrie, focused and proud at Wembley 1972

At the end of that 1971-72 season he emigrated to Australia returning briefly to England in 1976 becoming Player-Manager of Herts County League Sandridge Rovers. He returned to Aus in 1978 settling in Adelaide and actually represented South Australia at Lawn Bowls. He continued to live in Adelaide until he passed away on Sunday, 29th March 2015.

Another little part of my childhood has gone as Barrie was in the first team I witnessed at Underhill, and a magnificent set of players they were, fantastic memories. RIP Barrie.