A really great footballer and wonderful human being, he ALWAYS had time to chat to supporters. I learned a lot about football from him, he explained simply the finer points of the game including how to trip an opponent so he fell a few steps later so you didn’t concede a foul!! He also explained how to prevent a taller player beating you in the air at corners, stand on his foot just as the ball is crossed or just tug his shirt as you move away from him, either way he would not get into the air!! I used all these ideas and more. But the best thing I ever heard him say was when a supporter was complaining about a very talented but lazy player Ken kept picking. He said “I can’t drop him, I’m a sucker for a footballer.” Under Ken we played wonderful football, he was the same as Danny Blanchflower, he played football for the glory of it, not the money. He will be missed, they don’t make them like him anymore.
WHS.
Sad news. A GREAT footballer and manager.
Sad news indeed. One of my ealiest memories was watching Ken taking a penalty for Witton and thinking that he looked too old to be playing football (well I was only about 5 )and that he had bandy legs!! . Top football bloke.
A lad who played alongside Ken was Gil Prescott, now he did have bandy legs, probably why Ken liked him! Ken never won us much but oh the players he got to turn out in the Red and White! Peter Mellor and Chris Nichol to name just two. Both went on to play in the old First Division and Chris even became a Northern Ireland International if my memory serves me right.
WHS.
WHS are u sure it was Ken Barnes who taught u all those dirty tricks ? Sounds more like Colin Barnes tactics ! Ken Barnes was more of a purist although his language was as blue as his City shirt !
heard the news with great regret, a true legend of the game and witton. the team he created at witton is probably the best that i have seen in the red and white. they played football as it should be played, and gave their all for witton. also he was a great guy to know, he always had time to talk to the supporters, and he listened to what we had to say. a truely remarkable man, and my condolences go out to his family. why not name a section of the stand after barnsie in his memory, as he should never be forgotten at witton.
You don’t win the FA Cup without knowing how to look after yourself!! Ken never kicked anyone but he knew how to look after himself.
WHS.
Funnily enough I was thinking about Ken only last night (possibly as a result of the discussion about the Bradford PA cup match on another thread.)
I have extremely fond memories of Ken playing for Witton although I was perhaps a touch too young to fully appreciate him. I remember his distinctive way of taking penalties,jogging up to the ball swaying from side to side and then almost invariably tucking the ball into one corner as the keeper dived the other way.
I also remember his banter with players of both sides, referees and supporters.
His grasp of tactics was second to none.I remember the late Tom Stelfox telling me about the famous 6-1 FA cup win over Northwich. As was the custom in those days Ken pinned up the teamsheet in the social club the night before the match and some supporters were up in arms because Ken had selected an inexperienced local amateur (Gordon Allen?) ahead of someone else. Ken was completely unconcerned and unmoved saying simply " He’s the right player for the formation we’re using. Don’t worry. We’ll win." and went back to the bar!
He loved beautiful football but his tactics could be pragmatic as well. I remember him moving our fearsome full back Stuart Davey up to centre forward in a game against Macclesfield so Stuart could get “stuck in” to a notorious Macc defender.
A great player, still talked about by many as the best English footballer never to play for England.
To paraphrase what someone once said about Frank Sinatra " It was Ken’s world. The rest of us just lived in it".
Lovely words Witton.
WHS.
I’m gutted a guy I had total respect for and certainly one of the greatest players I ever saw. As I’ve said elsewhere this guy and the team he built at Witton are just simply legends. I guess to the wider world Ken was in the top ten players ever at Man City, played a bigger part in the Revie plan than people realise, and definately unlucky not to play for England. He’d have walked into the present England team no problem. I’m proud to have known you and privalaged to see you play Ken, RIP, and all my best to your family, friends and everyone at Man City.
Before my time but still a recognised legend in the game, only sad I never saw him play or manage Witton.
Strikes me that a charity match against Manchester City with the proceeds going to a charity nominated by Ken’s family would be a fitting tribute.
What a great idea Rabbit!!
WHS.
Thanks WHS
We spend lots of time raising money for ourselves but it would be a mark of respect to do something for a charity that’s Ken’s family could choose or one that was close to his heart. If Manchester City supported it by sending down some players and perhaps some legends it could be an extremely good celebration of his life.
Maybe the secretary or someone in the commercial team could see if this is viable.
The obituary in yesterday’s " the GUARDIAN" is a fitting tribute to a great person.There is mention of Witton.
There was a wonderful obituary of Ken Barnes in ‘The Independent’ on Saturday.
It’s a very long link name so the best thing to do is just google ‘Independent Ken Barnes’ and it’ll be the top item.
Well worth reading. A beatifully written appraisal of Ken on and off the field and you can discover the excellent advice Ken once gave to Peter Swales which, sadly for City, Swales didn’t take!