I put this statement/title to a close pal and he didn’t agree but then again he is a closet Manc! I appreciate the other two have done it for a longer period but let’s have it right, Barnes was one of the outstanding players of the 80’s! For me personally, the outstanding player! Obviously, players like Maradona and Platini might have something to say about that! They did not have to overcome several issues (largely appalling racism) that Barnes had to though! This was horrendous abuse, don’t forget this! He answered his critics though and was THAT player who could just turn a match on its head and win it, that he did regularly, whether with Watford or for the Redmen!
He was my first hero, it is as simple as that! This lad could play and his tally of assists and goals are proof! As was the quality in both instances! A winger that was that skilful and who had lightning pace, not to mention strength and balance in abundance! He also had two great feet and an attitude that many a player should aspire to in the modern game!
Digger took Watford to second in the league and an F.A Cup loss at Wembley to Everton in 1984. Admittedly Graham Taylor had worked the oracle by taking them from the (old) fourth division but Barnes had that ‘extra little bit’. He could unlock a defence in so many ways.
When Kenny Dalglish and Liverpool signed him in 1987 there was a bit of a commotion! Only the second black player to play for Liverpool (Howard Gayle being the first and I think he played about 5 games for us). The banana incident in the cup game away at Goodison, where he flicked it away nonchalantly, showed how he was going to answer these degenerates!
Barnes was a big game player! Arsenal, United, Everton, Villa and Brian Cloughs Notts Forest were all regularly put to the sword. Some of the assists as you will see were just awesome, there were nutmegs, defence-splitting passes, pinpoint accuracy crosses and generally turning defenders inside out! The slalom run against QPR in 1987 and the beauty against Aston Villa at home in the 89/90 season are my favourite goals! From what I remember the commentary went “Barnes….OH, I SAY…WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT THAT?? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!! Sums it up nicely really.
28 goals in the 89/90 season landed us our last title and that is how I will personally best remember him! I used to watch that season video over and over again until I nearly wore it out! He won the PFA awards in 87/88 and the FWA in both 87/88 and 89/90. I am aware that I might be biased but how he didn’t beat David Platt to the PFA Award in 89/90 slightly baffles me on reflection! I think you could certainly argue that Barnes was the best player in the world for the 4/5 year spell at the end of the 80’s and start of the 90’s!
At Liverpool, he won two league titles and was absolute class! Mesmerising! He deserved more league titles in all honesty but Liverpool’s grip at the top had loosened and that injury picked up when playing for England, when he ruptured his right Achilles tendon changed a few things! His days as a winger were over! But his career wasn’t! He was a boss central midfielder after this! He passing stats must have been amazing and you never lose the ability! That goal at Blackburn in 94…tekkers!
He was always too technically advanced for England in an era where blood and guts were used instead of flair in the England set-up. Glen Hoddle suffered a similar fate as a player and as a result, both were denied lighting up the World stage. Digger showed it was possible though with his goal in the Maracana and the goals against Uruguay and Holland were also on a different level! The team should have been set up around him but it wasn’t and that is why it never happened! Everyone has seen the goal against Brazil and that shows the level and style of footballer that was John Barnes!
I was told by several people who had met him that he was the “nicest guy in the world”, they were not wrong! I got to have an extended bit of banter with him at the end of attending a 5times event (official Liverpool legends events). I can honestly say that it was class how humble and genuine he was. Even though I was living by my Herefordian sword, about 7 pints of cider…..that’s more than enough for me these days I can assure you! A role model of the highest order. Top, Top Man! Johnny Barnes!
Just check this video out!
Andy Del Potro
The Gubbage and the Glory! 