YEAH, THE GREAT JIMMY GREAVES PLAYED FOR BARNET

 Jimmy Greaves at Barnet FC

The whole football world must know that the greatest goalscorer that this country has produced passed away Sunday 19^th September aged 81. The will be documentaries, interviews with past colleagues and tributes galore appearing across all known media, but Barnet had its special almost cameo appearance by Jimmy at Underhill in the late 1970's.

After historic seasons and goalscoring records with England, Chelsea, AC Milan, Tottenham, and finally West Ham in 1970-1 Jimmy was loosing his motivation and his last professional game at the top level was 1^st May 1971 for the Hammers against Huddersfield Town. Unable to get to Barnet's fixture at Hereford that day, I actually went to that game at Upton Park with my West Ham supporting Uncle, now that feels rather good to me right now. Jimmy also had his well documented problems with alcohol and gave up football until 1975 when he turned out for his local side Brentwood and then Southern League Chelmsford City in 1976.

Dave Underwood, the Barnet Chairman at the time and close friend said “Jimmy realised that playing was the only way he could combat his demons and at the age of 37 he joined us at Barnet, What a catch!”.

Barnet, managed by Billy Meadows, had just won the Southern League Division 1 South and returned to the Premier League. Billy had recently used the services of many more senior professionals to achieve this, with Bob McNab (Arsenal), Marvin Hinton (Chelsea) and Walter Lees (Watford) amongst others and often told me of the tremendous excitement amongst the players when they found out he had signed Greaves. Bees legend Les Eason had also returned to the club and to this day still tells fond stories of playing alongside side his teenage idol in their midfield roles. “I was more than happy to do Jimmy's running but he used to ghost around and be everywhere, passes were inch perfect and his finishing still clinical”

Jimmy spent 18 months at Underhill, still bravely engaging with his difficulties in his life. As a supporter it was simply a dream to be able to chant his name and incite all the jealousies from opposing supporters - “You are so lucky to have that man playing for you” etc., etc. The fact was even on pitches that often resembled a ploughed field he was a master of being in the right place at the right time and could also get stuck in when needed too!

He made his Bees debut away at Wealdstone in The Southern League Cup on 30^th August 1977 his final game was away at Bath in the Southern League Premier 24^th February 1979.

He had made 80 appearances and scored 34 goals playing in midfield, but had laid on dozens more for Johnny Fairbrother and Les Eason. He was named Player of the Year in 1977-78.

I attended an “Evening with Greaves” show in St Albans some years ago now and after what seemed like hours of fascinating stories and anecdotes about his playing career I thought he is bound to talk about Barnet soon! Then what was obviously an anorak Spurs fans put his hand up and asked in a very strange voice, “Er, Sir Jimmy (scoff) what was your favourite ever goal?”

He then told the tale of a corner during Grantham v Barnet in April 1978; Jimmy would more than often take Barnet corners but he said that during this game he had been kicked and hacked at by every defender and stood outside the penalty box on the edge of the “D”. The corner came straight to him and he volleyed the ball which in his words “I didn't half catch it sweet and it swerved like a golf shot slice, and hit the back of the net like a rocket. I didn't normally celebrate too much but that felt so good I ran to our supporters but there was only a few hundred in the whole ground. Ironically my greatest ever goal was witnessed by virtually nobody and isn't even on film!”

As a Barnet mad seventeen year old I heard that Jimmy had gone into the bar at the ground after the game, which was rare, so I went in and stood beside him just to hear what he was saying and simply be around him. He had some ex Spurs mates with him and was drinking an Orange Juice. Then he turned to me and completely out of the blue said, “Alright mate, are you going to the game next week then?” “I try to get to every game Jimmy” I replied with a quiver in my voice. “Good on ya, I'll see you there then?”. He then resumed talking to his pals. I stood for a few seconds unable to believe it. It turned out that he did speak an awful lot to fans, was very approachable and was a genuinely nice guy.

Barry Fry replaced Billy Meadows just before Christmas 1978 and tried hard to persuade Jimmy to stay but the club were looking to youth for the future and needed fresh blood. Jimmy quietly departed and played out his career at Woodford Town.

We all know what happened after that, don't we?

For those of us privileged to witness Greaves at Underhill we will always remember his graceful skills and powerful presence on the pitch. Rest in peace Jimmy you bought so much pleasure to so many people.

Reckless

Potters Bar

Sept 20^th 2021