Linvoy
was perhaps the finest centre back to wear Amber and Black over the
last 20 years We were fortunate to witness his early development as
a player before he successfully made the step up to Premiership level
with Portsmouth in 2000.
Linvoy
Stephen Primus, born in Forest Gate September 1973, turned down a
contract with West Ham United as a youngster to accept a deal with
Charlton Athletic. He made four first team appearances at the Valley
but competition for places was high. After being released in the
Summer of 1994 Ray Clemence stepped in to acquire Linvoy's signature
in front of Crewe Alexandra and Cardiff City and offered a two year
contract.
Linvoy made his Barnet debut at home in the League Cup to
Leyton Orient on the 16th August 1994 as a substitute for
Mark Newson. Barnet ran out 4-0 winners that evening mostly due to
Dougie Freedman and Mark Cooper goals. Barnet lined up;
Gary Phillips, David McDonald, Shaun Gale, Carl Hoddle, Alan Walker, Mark Newson, Micky Tomlinson, Dougie Freedman, Lee Hodges, Mark Cooper, Paul Wilson. Subs Peter Scott, Linvoy Primus and Paul Newell.
In
his first season Linvoy made 45 appearances and was runner up in the
Supporters Player on the Season poll behind Freedman.
In
1995/6 he made a further 48 appearances scoring five goals and was
once again runner up in the poll behind goalkeeper Maik Taylor,
however he was attracting more and more attention for the upper
echelon of the league.
In
1996/7 he was made team Captain and served under four separate
managers in Clemence, Terry Bullivant, Terry Gibson and Alan Mullery.
Primus'
finest hour that season was probably shepherding Tony Cottee in the
two legged League Cup tie against West Ham in September when the
following players, courtesy of a Phil Simpson goal, held the Hammers
to a 1-1 at Underhill before narrowly loosing the second leg 1-0 at
Upton Park in front of over 15,000. Barnet squad;
Maik Taylor, Shaun Gale, David McDonald, Robert Codner, Linvoy Primus, Lee Howarth, Kevin Rattray, Phil Simpson, Paul Wilson, Sean Devine, Alan Pardew, Lee Hodges, Micky Tomlinson, Jamie Campbell, Warren Goodhind and Paul Hardyman.
Early
that season Barnet were experimenting with a sweeper system using
Alan Pardew behind Linvoy and defensive partner Lee Howarth. Whether
this suited Primus is open to conjecture as the club finished 15th
but Linvoy did finish the season with 51 appearances, three goals and
the elusive Player of the Season award.
With
Bullivant now settled as Manager at Reading and also having Pardew as
his assistant an offer of £250,000 was too much to refuse for
Barnet. Much to the disappointment of Bees fans Linvoy started the
1997-98 season as a Reading player.
A story......Myself and a little band of brothers who called themselves the Curry Club were kit sponsors of Lee Harrison. In December 1998 after a 3-2 win at Southend, Lee (who still lives locally) invited the lads and their WAGS to his house for a fancy dress party. Many of the players from the era were there but David MacDonald and Linvoy drove to the party together with their partners and Macca told us that they had to stop for petrol. Dave was fairly normally dressed as Father Christmas and his lady as a vampire however Linvoy - who I am sure you all know is a strapping lad - was dressed as a fairy in a pink tutu, tiara, tiny panties and fishnet tights complete with wand! The image of Linvoy just outside Wickford filling up the car and buying bits and bobs from the shop is mind boggling. I have a photograph somewhere which I must dig out - absolutely fantastic. When at the party Mrs Reckless asked him where he kept his wallet? But then said "Oh I can see it!" Linvoy is a seriously great sport.
He moved onto Portsmouth and over
a period of 10 years at Fratton Park he became revered enough for the
club to rename the Milton End of their ground as the Linvoy Primus
Community Stand for one season such was his loyally to the club.
He
officially retired from playing in 2010 retaining his “ambassadorial
and advisory role to help guide emerging talent at Portsmouth”
bestowed upon him in 2009. He has since written a best selling book "Transformed" about his footballing career and his powerful religious beliefs. It is a superb read.
It
is so easily said but certain players do have that air of geniality
and affability and are more approachable than others. Linvoy had
those attributes in abundance and talking to him recently he still
retains a huge affection for our club.
Linvoy
Primus Appearance 144 Goals 8
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