John Charles Bryan Barnes

Named after the great Welsh footballer John Charles, he rose with remarkable speed from parks football to Watford’s first team, to Full international status at 19 (the youngest England cap for 24 years), and a famous solo goal for England in Rio de Janeiro. The son of a former captain and manager of Jamaica, and with a sister who was an international swimmer, John Barnes always conducted himself with dignity on the field. He often disappointed in a very long international career (79 caps) but at club level reached great heights of personal and collective achievement, starting with a part in the Watford’s triumph over Manchester United in the 1981/82 FA Youth Cup final. For six full seasons, which included an FA Cup final appearance at Wembley, his ball-playing skills and athleticism were utilised mainly on the left wing by Watford, and subsequently for ten seasons by Liverpool. Forays into management with Celtic, Jamaica and Tranmere Rovers were shortlived.

West Herts / Watford Career