Sports Life Stories: John Barnes

[@headgroundsman1650]

Watching John Barnes in full flow was one of the most beautiful sights in sport, what a privilege to have grown up watching him.

[@mrnobody4237]

John Barnes had the lot! What a man. From a 46 year old Leeds fan who was blown away by him, then and now. Top fella.

[@bernardharvey187]

I have been a Liverpool fan for 50 years and seen some amazing players wear the famous shirt, Keegan was my first hero but John Barnes was and still most talented player that i remembered wearing the shirt. Thanks for the Fantastic memories John Barnes

[@Wdashtwentythree]

I saved my school bus fare to get to Anfield and watch John play - Barnes and Rush were my heroes growing up.

[@ronavthefigurehead9439]

What a player! The man who made me support Liverpool as a kid. I'm 40 now and still do....

[@jonblazeinc]

Exactly same for me I'm same age

[@elcommandante6211]

John Barnes brought me to Liverpool

[@mrblock354]

My dad supported them when i was a kid. Because of barnes jamaican roots. I'm 41 now and I am still a fan from london but have family who lives around the corner from Anfield

[@cliffbutler4585]

Im 45 and Barnes and rush were the reason why at 13 I became a Liverpool supporter I cried when Barnes left Liverpool same when rush did true legends of the game 2020 back on the top klopp brought the title home

[@jonblazeinc]

@@cliffbutler4585 I felt it was right time for both Barnes and Rush to leave when they did they served the club top level and both go down as top bracket of greatest legends to wear the shirt...was new generation coming through no point holding onto them. Yes Klopp has brought us back to the top only a matter of time till we finally hold that premiership

[@caps8723]

He was my role model everything I saw him do I tried in the playground. I was close to tears watching this. The best for me. John Barnes

[@gkbscrivner]

You are a suberb role model for people to aspire to be. A true hero! Congratulations and respect to you. Thank you for being a part of my life.

[@robkeaton6143]

I'm just going to watch a few minutes of this. 46 minutes later....

[@sheinaung6685]

exactly me.

[@mattsymonds9652]

So true... :)

[@jonnygaynon8861]

R.I.P. productivity... :)

[@floydkennedy9599]

Me too! John Barnes, watch a player and legend!!!! YNWA!

[@christopherharriott2928]

@@floydkennedy9599 The thing is he made it look so easy. You see him week in week out curling that ball in from left flank and you wonder why all wingers don't do that. Yet that once just one of his many skills. Free kicks, dribbling, running, he had it all.

[@garywilton246]

What a player. John barnes was one of the most naturally gifted footballers I've ever seen.

[@pamwalker7823]

John Barnes was my hero as a child and made me want to play for England. I ended up being selected and coached by Tom walley who coached john at Watford which for me was an honour I cannot put into words. He was and still is the gentleman that he was back then and I want to thank him for giving me the inspiration to make my dreams come true. 🤜🏼🤛🏾

[@willh1970]

I saw his very first game for Liverpool, against Arsenal in Aug 1987. Instantly successful and his brilliance was there for all to see. Those were the days my friend...

[@macrovigilance]

I am Spurs fan - but always loved Barnsey growing up. Always tried to catch the Watford and then Liverpool games to see his magic. He lit up English Footy in the 80s + 90s!

[@cliffbutler4585]

Respect you had Gascoigne now Barnes and Gascoigne damn never have a pair like that again

[@perrynnlynch1883]

Great comment and I'm a spurs fan too.

[@nickycotton6137]

He seemed to get the most "boos and chants" etc from the crowd during own watching Football career. Probs because he brought out the jealousy and envy in those who engaged in such behaviour, as he was so GREAT... What a legend and a privilege to watch.❤

[@taja1976]

An excellent human being. After watching this I feel so proud of John Barnes, aside from being a football genius, he's gracious with real humility as well as being thoughtful, mentally robust and considerate... a rare type of man indeed.

[@stevejohnson1577]

John Barnes was my favorite player of all time. The things he did on the field, was just top class. I remember watching the abuse on tv. He is a class man. He is a legend. Deserves the chance to manage.

[@simonforrest2522]

My Footballing hero.. As a Black kid growing up in 80's England he was truly my inspiration and still one of the finest footballers i've EVER seen... Thanks Barnsey.. For showing great composure during torrid times... showing humility as a way to defeat these racist idiots. .. You remain my idol to this day... Y.N.W.A

[@dancollins5194]

I spent 6 years as a junior at Watford, all under the great Graham Taylor: John played his first games at the club with me and we used to travel up from London on the train together for training and some games. He was a quietly spoken and a really nice guy; but what a player !!! I remember playing a youth game with John at Orient (east London) and he took a ball on his chest, 35yards out on the angle and hit a volley into the top corner like a missile. After that the club ‘hid’ him till he could sign professional forms. It was a wonderful time to be at that club and John was quite simply the best of them. Great player, great guy 👏👏👏

[@isaacketeku603]

Dave another brilliant upload, my hero growing up Top Top player Achilles injury robbed him of his pace and had to come back as a playmaker in midfield. 34:58 Gazza showing his love and admiration for a top player.

[@jcanyiam8309]

THIS MAN was the main REASON I started supporting Liverpool FC- When I came to England. To ME HE was THE BEST PLAYER in the WORLD, I've EVER seen. period

[@shakeelmohideen7172]

Me too 😂

[@michawill6599]

There's only 8 years between me and Barnes, but I felt like he was an important statesman for me. I'm also a Jamaican British woman. I cannot overstate the importance and impact on me, and I know others, of the way John Barnes conducted himself. So much was going on in the world during his era. Black people were portrayed negatively in the press and on TV, or subjectively as starving masses. Racism was rife in institutions: criminal justice, education, employment. Sports was a release, but racism was (still is) rife there too. I was privileged to watch John play in England v France at the old Wembley. The racism from England 'fans' simply when he got the ball was crazy - I screamed back at some of them. Funny how shocked they were. Now the racism continues into management, but I pray you will be vindicated Sir John. You were so much more than an 'entertaining footballer' and you will be remembered for far more than that. Carry on taking your opportunities overseas, even if not in Britain. One day black managers will say that they're successful in UK football management because of you. Thank you. God bless you. I hope you get to read this comment.

[@arifpatel5317]

Mich Abing 👍

[@michawill6599]

Don v Haha! 😊

[@ihateyoumother-fucker3204]

Mich Abing Mich Abing I'm like you. My parents come from Jamaica. When growing up, I'll NEVER forget an aunt telling me (some time during the 1980's) that a survey conducted revealed at one point "more kids wanted to be John Barnes than any other player." I found this so inspirational. In my lifetime the only players I've seen that are better than Barnes is D.Maradona and L.Messi. And even then, there's still room for debate. Messi would probably make a mark in top flight football in England. However bear in mind, the quality of pitches these days, a mandatory diet he MUST stick to (so NO ackee & saltfish washed down with Red Stripe) the amount of protection a player like that gets, because of who is and who he plays for, especially when he plays at home and doesn't have to suffer ANY racist abuse. I'm not doubting his abilities, but It COULD BE more challenging for him. And we still don't know whether he'd cut in the Premier league for sure. It's only an assumption as he plies his trade in a much weaker league. As for Barnes v D.Maradona. I'll never forget Mexico 86, England v Argentina. When Barnes came on (T.Steven got subbed), Barnes rivalled Maradona for the remainder of the game. Please remember, Maradona was at his peak. I'll never forget the cross he put in the Lineker, only for "golden boy" to head just wide of the post 😢😢😢😢 really! Lineker missing that header is as painful as Waddle missing his penalty 4 years later because who knows what MIGHT have happened thereafter if Lineker had scored, courtesy of J.Barnes. J.Barnes 22 LEAGUE goals 89/90 season, from left wing, played on shit pitches, having to ride tough tackles against the likes of T.Adams, M. Keown, P.Davies, V.Jones, J.Dicks etc, etc. The latest one from Jamaica (R.Sterlin) not good enough to lace his boots and that's not an exaggeration either. Absolute legend and will NEVER be forgotten among those old enough to remember. Also RIP recently departed G.Taylor - 🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲

[@michawill6599]

essex boy 78 Preach di ting, my yoot! Yuh dun know! x

[@DaveWallerLFC]

How many managers do a rubbish job, get sacked and then keep getting another job? It seems like a lot to me. I don't know the motivations of people looking for managers but for someone of John's knowledge and intelligence not to be able to get a job in football doesn't seem right. Half a season at Celtic seems very quick to make a judgement.

[@scally1969]

A total legend. As a young lad I watched in awe at his skill. Kenny is right, Mr Barnes you will always be remembered by the Liverpool faithful. Thanks for the memories.

[@eliottsantos2654]

Life long Liverpool supporter and one of my all time favorite player.

[@Gobs68]

Among the very best the English game has ever seen. Virtually unplayable 87-90.

[@olivermclean7605]

The greatest Liverpool player of all times john Barnes. Imagine him without the abuses. Jamaican people we so strong

[@englished2304]

An absolute legend but never the greatest liverpool player that mantal falls to the greatest ever Steven Gerrard the man won 9 major honours for us and is the only player to have ever scored in the finals of the Champions league, Uefa Cup, FA Cup and league Cup and won them all some multiple times. And all in teams that had nowhere near the class, ability and finances of Liverpool teams in other era's.

[@olivermclean7605]

@@englished2304 no disrespect he was white in England Wayne Rooney did far greater..

[@marcturner3463]

For me watching him play at Anfield this lad was just class Mr Barns it was a pleasure to watch you

[@doubleg9105]

Marc Turner Maradona!

[@daniellindseth5352]

My favourite all time player, that I had the pleasure to meet.

[@a.tanner8524]

It’s disgraceful the amount of abuse players like Barnes had to put up with in the 80’s. As a kid in the 80’s Barnes was an absolute legend. I’m not even a Liverpool fan but players like Barnes are role models to young lads. We need more players like him in the modern game.

[@tinashemavhunga]

He is such a fantastic human being. I met him when he came down to South Africa, in 2018 to perform his duties as a Liverpool Ambassador. And there he was in front of me, my hero growing up, we all wanted to play like him, he inspired a lot of hope especially to us blacks, we could identify with him...when I approached him, he was so warm to me, we had a very good uninterrupted 6 - 10 minute conversation. What a descent men, with a lot of humility.

[@emekagodson1439]

Waw this is a dream come true.. This is what we are lacking in this part of the world, moreover nigeria and ElegbeteTV and Radio is bringing this to us in Surulere regional league. With this in the next one year I wonder where we the club owners and players will be in the next one year. It's amazing.

[@africanchild2541]

As a Ghanaian I grew up watching Big League Soccer on the TV screens. I remember teams like Wimbledon, QPR, Aston Villa, even Leeds United. Liverpool was the real deal then so naturally I gravitated towards them. John Barnes, Saunders, Fowler, Ian Rush,- names that stuck in my memory but John Barnes was immense. Today, I support Chelsea, because of the African players, that used to be there. Celestine Baba Yaro, Jeremy Njtap then later Drogba and Essien in particular.

[@goalfever76]

The player that made me fall in love with the game , and Liverpool FC... thanks Mr barns... Red for life💯‼️

[@perrynnlynch1883]

Great comment.

[@robertwraith7264]

Absolute class and what a great guy YNWA

[@sam.victor470]

John Barnes, the best advertisement for 'The Beautiful Game' of legendary Brazilian Pele.

[@paulspurgin9378]

This guy was phenomenal. My favourite player. Met him and got his autograph when i was a kid. Was so down to earth. Tore teams a apart.

[@johnnygray8160]

What an unusually brilliant, unusually disciplined and unusually humane person.

[@perrynnlynch1883]

Well said and great comment.

[@aldozilli1293]

What an unusually nice comment

[@riyadhw888]

My all time football hero , those sprints down the left wing , cross and then goal . But his crowning achievement... his humility. Go John , may your life's ambition be fulfilled.

[@flexwilliams3783]

Got wind of Barnesy being at Leyton Marshes to do a lucozade advert. The whole school bunked off to go see him. Managed to put my arm around him as he came out the camper vehicle/home & say your the best in the world. Good Times. Thanks John.

[@stevenferrante8671]

Big legend What a player John Barnes was 👏 Makes grealish look like Robbie savage

[@5timesmanctwats]

Between87 and 89 Barnes was the best in his position in the world.superb.

[@bobbydigital3423]

Best in the world seasons 87/88 and 89/90. Just wish this team could have competed in Europe, would have loved to see them against AC Milan.

[@arifpatel5317]

Bob Digi yes I agree 85/90 if hadn't got banned then maybe won another two European cups

[@dannymacktheoutlaw4261]

Everton lost out the most from the European ban

[@mukundutm]

Yes indeed that brilliant Liverpool side built &cajoled by Sir King Kenny from the 1987/88 season was such a marvel to watch strutting their stuff,they were masters of the passing game.Its a pity Liverpool fc &English clubs were banned from Europe from 1985-1990 as a result of the 1985 Heysel disaster.Im more than convinced that Liverpool side would have matched the dominant Arrigo Sacchi`s AC MILAN by winning 1/2 European cups.

[@jonnybravo3055]

What a player. 👍🏼From a man United fan.

[@michaelmonaghan3253]

I’m a United fan but always loved John Barnes. He was BRILLIANT. We signed the wrong Barnes around that time..

[@marcjohnson7734]

Just his diving int box let him down,went down like he was shot

[@lenburnette9556]

@@marcjohnson7734 Barnes dived??

[@marcjohnson7734]

@@lenburnette9556 is that a serious question?

[@lenburnette9556]

@@marcjohnson7734 I don't think he was known for diving a lot, particularly when he was flying down the wing. Can you tell me some incidents?

[@marcjohnson7734]

@@lenburnette9556 did you ever go to any Liverpool UTD games? Seen him plenty times trip over that white penalty area box and win dubious penalties

[@harrycallahan9143]

Watching Liverpool play around the late 80s was a pleasure to watch, the magic of Barnes & Beardsley with either Rush or Aldridge up front, just wonderful.

[@harrycallahan9143]

@Lee Hollebon So why have you gone on youtube and cared enough to leave a pointless comment on a documentary about John Barnes when you can't stand football? What a pathetic shit life you must have, go and find something interesting to do with your time then instead of leaving crap comments on stuff you don't even like watching, jeez what a loser lol

[@leeroyle9017]

Was a 13 year old kid I stayed up and saw him score that goal for England in Rio, 13 year old kids don’t see colour . He is still a hero , Lee EFC

[@25pappy]

I'm very emotional watching this...

[@timujin1000]

Same, I'm holding back the tears

[@kevinmcafee1822]

Grew up loving United but for me John Barnes was breathtaking... I didn't want to watch Liverpool... I wanted to watch Barnes. His touch, pace, skill, vision and execution... no one could touch him. Hands down the best in the league and there is no doubt he is one of the British greats to ever have played in England! There is simply no debate or argument. The racism he faced was simply a disgrace and he played to have the same idiots abuse him, left speechless or in awe of his genius... simply put... A living Legend.

[@delwigzieful]

Love Digger gave everything and more when he put on the Liverpool shirt pure football genius pure natural talent i loved watching john barnes play football,Thanks john for everything you did at Liverpool and for just being yourself pure magic,A TRUE FOOTBALL LEGEND JOHN BARNES THANK YOU JOHN,DELL

[@Nusensist]

my first hero n why i ended up a watford supporter...graceful dude and player,noble humble and dignified soul and he lit up football...900k was bargain of the century

[@simonforrest2522]

It sure was..Can u imagine what he'd be worth on today's transfer market?

[@Nusensist]

@@simonforrest2522 if sterling is 120 million roughly i reckon 180 million...just a guess but defo worthy me thinks

[@imi_iadelon3258]

Huge inspiration to me during a time where you felt you didn't belong because of the colour of your skin. Magic Man!

[@nonnayoubuzinnes1669]

It saddens me that this generation of Liverpool fans only seem to think we existed since 2005 and don't realise just how good this fella was. That late 80s Dalglish managed team was my favourite ever I think, such a shame about the European ban as we'd have had 3 more European cups in that era am sure of it.

[@arifpatel5317]

1987 to 1991 he was the BEST .. YES THE BEST

[@steveowen3404]

Arif Patel no when he was at Watford

[@stavrosavgousti8887]

Im a liverpool fan but at liverpool he had great players around him and he became a superstar. He is my fav liverpool player ever. At watford he was the star. Watford finished 2nd one season and Barnes was the reason why. Genius.

[@stephenbailey3309]

His best personal performance was at Liverpool, but he was still good at Watford

[@minatodroger7890]

Shame english Clubs were banned from Europe at the time he would have been more known.

[@haroldkane9714]

Can u imagine Barnes in the AC Milan side of the late 80s, wow

[@alwhyte6533]

What a player...such talent and ability, tempered by that humility as a human being. Fantastic man.

[@mrprice3338]

My favourite footballer of all time. Growing up I wanted to be John Barnes. One of my all time heroes. What a player.

[@skinner8951]

Great lad John,B, from a utd fan, best of luck John

[@porfiros7]

what a legendary player... i watch the games in tv in Greece(Hellas) 80s and 90s... John Barnes was a fantastic forward, with great and unique skills, no one can compare with John Barnes

[@coolruler8856]

One of my heroes as a teenager & still is . Combined with Ian Rush this was a sight to see .

[@gerwulfthered154]

The best I ever saw at Anfield. Privileged to have watched him in the flesh at his peak.

[@courageous5551]

For a young black boy growing up in England during the John Barnes era, you cannot know how important it was for me to see you being great. You were absolutely one of, if not the greatest players of that era and in the world, thank you brother.

[@danfrost3043]

Not only a true british hero, champion & inspiration but also a beautiful person.

[@metalmadsen]

A great man. Love from Denmark 🇩🇰🇬🇧

[@johnbatziolas780]

I share the same birthday as Johnny, 7th of November and our club's best player by far in his prime from 1987-1991 and during those four years he was the #1 best player in the world In my opinion, technically gifted, he could dribble and rip anyone with the ball and a smashing left foot; 17 goals in 87-88, 13 goals in 88-89, 28 goals in 89-90 and 17 goals in 90-91; sensational consistency and form!

[@davidnash1774]

Hero, Footballing Legend, Incredible Human being. Loved watching you play the game Johnny Barnes, you remain my favourite player thirty years on. They should have retired the Number 10 shirt as far as I'm concerned, truly the Greatest winger I ever saw

[@karimsaad1966]

So much love for such a footballing legend! One of the greatest of all time! It's a shame he doesn;t get the recognition he deserves

[@rosemaryfarell5264]

Legend. Never saw Dalglish play so cant include him but JB still my Greatest LFC player.

[@stulawrence527]

Apart from being an incredible footballer and person, this man should be a diplomat! Loved watching him on and off the field...

[@conorsmith8551]

Newcastle fan. Proud to say Barnes wore the shirt of Newcastle. He played loads of memorable games against newcastle. World class player

[@davejones3134]

Possibly the greatest footballer alongside Gazza I have ever seen. We were blessed John 👍👍

[@jamesviola79]

I always liked Barnes and got to see him once at Wembley against Holland in 1993. He scored from a free-kick in the first minute.

[@MatteoSimeone22]

The best British player I have ever seen.

[@scottallan7931]

the greatest player I ever saw. Full stop !

[@stavrosavgousti8887]

I agree

[@mcmango84]

It's a word that's thrown around quite a lot lately.....BUT WHAT A LEGEND! Love barnesy ...#onelove #Ynwa

[@RM-gn2nj]

Great Doc ! hats off to this amazing humble leader of football. Team first attitude, made everyone around him better. Kept his ego in check, never had any outside dirt or distractions. A real person for people and kids to look up to.

[@niloben659]

Barnsie, what a player and an absolute legend.

[@gcanty32]

What a player he was......One of the all time greats

[@hodgod1056]

Beautiful player, beautiful person and a beautiful ambassador to the game. I hope he gets the opportunity to prove himself as a manager or coach at the highest level.

[@richardman28]

I grew up watching my beloved liverpool FC from the mid 70's to 80's. John Barnes was my footballing idol. Used to watch hours of videos of him playing football and studying his game. I was watching a football team with legends but John Barnes was the only person in those teams that I thought had everything in terms of skills. My footballing icon!!.

[@ElliosoMukka]

His performance when liverpool beat my team, Leeds, 5-4 in ‘91 was unbelievable! Elland Road actually clapped his goals 👏🏼

[@mrkipling2201]

Martin Tyler’s commentary was brilliant. “ it’s absolute slaughter “ after Barnes’s 1st goal.

[@mrbritrises8907]

if he played in thr first half vs argentina in 1986....my imspiration as a child😎

[@christopherharriott2928]

Yeah. The 10 or so minutes he played, he changed that match. Created two chances, lineker took one, missed one. I guess the gods had already decided it was to be Argentine's world cup ;-/

[@taurusvspec]

I strongly agree

[@chrisliddiard725]

Maradona's second goal might have been inspired by watching Barnes. Seriously, Argentina would have had tapes of the English players, you can bet they had tapes of Barnes, and of course 'that' goal he scored against Brazil. I'm sure Maradona would have played that goal a few times.

[@timlowe7538]

Watching John Barnes on the ball in slow motion made me shed a few tears. I know 'poetry in motion' is a bit of a cliche in football but I can't think of any other way. I'm a United supporter too

[@billybackfire2977]

At his best Barnes was absolutely unstoppable. Lovely, decent guy too.

[@philipvjones397]

deserves more views. Fantastic player and decent person.

[@davidwussah4312]

One of the greatest. I watch his contribution to social issues now a days and his depth of knowledge and wisdom is incredible.

[@colinjennings3661]

Best player in the world between 1987-1990

[@wolftone6]

That 87/88 Liverpool where top class. And John Barnes was their best player.

[@davidnash1774]

The finest player of his generation and was almost unplayable at his peak. No one was ever man marked so often and by so many opposition players as him. No one, not Waddle, Giggs, Gazza, Hoddle, JB was the best British player since Kenny and George Best

[@timujin1000]

spot on!!!

[@kailashpatel1706]

i think that is accurate..

[@coolruler8856]

Love this story of John , i think there is so much focus on the new players that a lot out heroes get forgotten . Keep doing more stories this stuff is great .

[@danielbridson9923]

I loved watching Barnes play ...... I was so heart broken listening to England fan booing him .... But loved it because he scored straight after

[@timujin1000]

I remember that beautiful freekick

[@stephengeorge965]

I remember the 1986 World Cup match against Argentina. Kept waiting for him to get a chance. Always felt that England waited too long to sub him in. Yet he still had a perfect cross for England's goal.

[@Eman14128]

They did wait to long I think Bobby Robson was scared because of what happened before, but big mistake, which I think he regretted. If he had started earlier England would have won that game

[@phaedo1384]

Best player in the world 1987-1990

[@Quasiloks]

One of the greatest that has ever played the beautiful game, he was just phenomenon, he's the great John Barnes.

[@thegodfatherjamesbrownware5709]

One of the best ever to wear the red jersey of Liverpool fc John Barnes Legend forever LFC. JFT96

[@PeaveyPV20]

One of the greatest footballers the country has ever seen. Often cant understand a word he says but still a top bloke

[@zakiqbal79]

Fantastic player, amazing human being, extremely articulate and intelligent..really glad to have met him in 2003 and took a selfie with him in my classic Nokia phone.

[@Maroon498]

Still the best player I’ve ever seen play for Liverpool, and the best left winger there’s ever been at his peak, without a shadow of a doubt. Go through all the names he’s better than them all for me. Peak Barnes was unbelievable. Growing up I didn’t care about watching England, I still don’t watch them. I was never interested in how Barnes played on the international stage. He was a superstar in my eyes. Sometimes I see football debates on social media about who’s the greatest, mostly kids talking nonsense. Barnes doesn’t get the recognition he deserves and he’s been forgotten over time. Such a shame. Fantastic player and person.

[@daibonehead]

My favourite player when I was a kid. Speaks volumes that Ian Wright holds him in such high esteem.

[@LFC303606ACID]

Wonderful fella, wonderful player, just glad he played for the club I supported..lucky me.

[@garymansta4654]

GREATEST. Greatness. Big up John Barnes. NUFF Love n Respect

[@K2468-z7f]

What a true legend! Still get excited watching him run at players.

[@Toe_M]

When you could buy a Kop season ticket for £120 in 1987 and watch Barnes ply his trade on that left wing!!.. magic

[@jamesowen6999]

One of the finest players to wear the red pf Liverpool

[@MrTerryb1956]

and Watford

[@ndlovulwazi]

dude is the reason I'm a liverpool , my uncles used to rave about that Brazil goal

[@andyfink3152]

I'm an Arsenal fan but regardless of club loyalties, have to say Barnsey is a legend. As a player and a man.