There were no clues that I was entering the house of an Albion Legend.
No signed shirts, no football memorabilia, no trophies. Perhaps they were in another room. Perhaps not.
The only clue I got was a small framed picture of the Legend shaking the hand of the Queen Mother before the FA Cup Final.
You get the feeling that Ray Barlow also played his football with the minimum of fuss.
This quietly-spoken, modest, polite gentleman belongs to a time when Baggies players lived in digs opposite the Hawthorns. Those who didn't took the bus to work and those who prefered saving a little money got on their bike. Literally. Welcome to football, 1950s style. The only Bentley in sight was when a reigning monarch passed by on the A41.
Some say Mr Barlow (sorry, but I don't feel comfortable calling him anything else) was the best to wear Albion's stripes. Perhaps.
What I do know is that he has earned his place in Albion folklore thanks to his long and successful career at The Hawthorns, not least the part he played in the 1954 FA Cup Final win.
These days he lives in Stourbridge and thanks to his and wife Beryl's hospitality*, you can read about Mr Barlow's Wembley adventure in the Birmingham Mail.
In the meantime the last word belongs to another footballing legend, Bobby Moore.
'Ray Barlow was my hero, a great left half. So calm, played it easy, just knocked it about.'
That's good enough for me.
*Mrs Barlow makes the best cup of tea in Stourbridge. That is official.
Comments (2)
its great to hear great things said about my great uncle, i have never met him, but feel so proud.
Posted by james barlow | August 2, 2007 1:52 PM
Posted on August 2, 2007 13:52
Ray was just so great! he could turn on a sixpence, Mr Cool I call him! Jackie Vernon's majic.
Posted by Bill Broun | August 5, 2007 11:50 PM
Posted on August 5, 2007 23:50