1. Since you left Love Street in the summer 2000, what have you been up to?
I was doing nothing at all until I came to Bath for rehabilitation in
January 2001. I left in May to go to Des Moines Menace in Iowa USA and came
back, did pre-season in Glasgow with Partick Thistle, then signed for Clydebank.
I left Clydebank in the middle of December 2002 and was idle again until I
came here at the end of August.
2. I understand you played in America for a few months, what was that like as an experience?I was doing nothing at all until I came to Bath for rehabilitation in
January 2001. I left in May to go to Des Moines Menace in Iowa USA and came
back, did pre-season in Glasgow with Partick Thistle, then signed for Clydebank.
I left Clydebank in the middle of December 2002 and was idle again until I
came here at the end of August.
I loved the USA, Iowa is a beautiful part of the world. The weather was great
and I loved where I stayed, it was more like a holiday.
3. What moment will you most remember from your Love Street career, aside from winning the title in 2000?
I have too many wonderful memories.
4. Which Saints goal would you rate as your most memorable, and if it's a different one, which would you remember as your best strike?
My best was probably a strike against Dunfermline in a 2-2 draw about 95-96.
My best was probably a strike against Dunfermline in a 2-2 draw about 95-96.
5. In season 1999-2000, you and Mark Yardley linked very well together. In fact, I remember one game being called "The Mark and Barry show". Is Mark the player you have linked best with, or is there another?
I loved playing with Big Yards. I especially thought our tactic of 3 up front
with 2 playing off him worked exceptionally well in our championship winning
season. I also liked playing with Stevie Crawford although he was a totally
different player from Yards.
I loved playing with Big Yards. I especially thought our tactic of 3 up front
with 2 playing off him worked exceptionally well in our championship winning
season. I also liked playing with Stevie Crawford although he was a totally
different player from Yards.
6. Similarly, which striker did you least enjoy playing with whilst at Love Street, and why?
I don’t like putting any ex colleagues down.
I don’t like putting any ex colleagues down.
7. Which player did you most enjoy having as a team mate during your career?
I had the privilege of playing with some great players and some wonderful
human beings. I am still good pals with Norrie (McWhirter), Chic (Charnely), Big Yogi (John Hughes) and Danny McGill.
I had the privilege of playing with some great players and some wonderful
human beings. I am still good pals with Norrie (McWhirter), Chic (Charnely), Big Yogi (John Hughes) and Danny McGill.
8. Which player did you least like playing against?
I always thought Andy Tod was a great defender and also Mark Reiper and big
Trigger (Barry McLaughlin) was difficult to get by at training.
I always thought Andy Tod was a great defender and also Mark Reiper and big
Trigger (Barry McLaughlin) was difficult to get by at training.
9. There have been several people e-mailing asking what actually happened when you left Saints in 2000. Could you put the record straight, and say what your feelings are towards the club and board now?
The bottom line was I was going to be injured for a good while and I was on
decent money so the club decided to let me go. I realise its hard and getting
harder for football clubs to balance the books but they handled it extremely
sneakily and underhand, not 1 person had the guts to tell me to my face that I
was getting released. I am not angry anymore, it’s pointless harbouring bad
feelings it only makes things worse. St.Mirren F.C is bigger than any squad of
players and any board members. St.Mirren belongs to the fans and the people of Paisley and I will always support them no matter who is there, and obviously
would love to come back at some point and prove a few people wrong.
The bottom line was I was going to be injured for a good while and I was on
decent money so the club decided to let me go. I realise its hard and getting
harder for football clubs to balance the books but they handled it extremely
sneakily and underhand, not 1 person had the guts to tell me to my face that I
was getting released. I am not angry anymore, it’s pointless harbouring bad
feelings it only makes things worse. St.Mirren F.C is bigger than any squad of
players and any board members. St.Mirren belongs to the fans and the people of Paisley and I will always support them no matter who is there, and obviously
would love to come back at some point and prove a few people wrong.
10. Do you still follow events at Love Street, or even attend the odd game?
Of course, I run to the shops in the next village where Ii stay every Sunday
morning to get the Sunday Mail and I get the Record every day at the Uni. I
don’t get to many games anymore for obvious reasons but my mum and grandparents
still attend. They have not got many good reports to give these days though.
Of course, I run to the shops in the next village where Ii stay every Sunday
morning to get the Sunday Mail and I get the Record every day at the Uni. I
don’t get to many games anymore for obvious reasons but my mum and grandparents
still attend. They have not got many good reports to give these days though.
11. Have you noticed any differences between Scottish and English football, based on your small experience of football down south?
The biggest difference is the fact that any team at any level can go to the
top, unlike Scotland where you have to be voted into the league.
The biggest difference is the fact that any team at any level can go to the
top, unlike Scotland where you have to be voted into the league.
12. Was it a surprise that Team Bath made it into the first round of the FA Cup proper this season?
Not at all, there are some excellent young players here and they are
improving every week. We have not lost in 11 league games now and need to win 5 out of our last 7 games to win the league.
Not at all, there are some excellent young players here and they are
improving every week. We have not lost in 11 league games now and need to win 5 out of our last 7 games to win the league.
13. Will Team Bath be trying to make it into the competition again next season, and how do you rate their chances?
Yes. We had to win 5 games to get there, although a couple of the teams were
hopeless, and we will be there or there abouts next year.
Yes. We had to win 5 games to get there, although a couple of the teams were
hopeless, and we will be there or there abouts next year.
14. What are you studying at Bath university, are you enjoying it and do you see it as a worthwhile course?
I am studying a HND in Coach Education and Sports Performance, which
consists of subjects like First Aid and injury, nutrition and health, fitness
training and coaching strategies. I enjoy it a lot and have done very well so
far.
I am studying a HND in Coach Education and Sports Performance, which
consists of subjects like First Aid and injury, nutrition and health, fitness
training and coaching strategies. I enjoy it a lot and have done very well so
far.
15. Do you think some of your actions during your career, such as the drug problem you had during your first spell at Saints, have affected your career in the long run?
Yes. I know I have made a lot of mistakes but there is nothing I can do now,
so I just look to the future.
Yes. I know I have made a lot of mistakes but there is nothing I can do now,
so I just look to the future.
16. A Clydebank fan asks if you could explain the involvement of football agent John Viola whilst you were playing for Clydebank a few years ago.
I am unsure, but I think he was the main money man there.
I am unsure, but I think he was the main money man there.
17. Finally, do you see yourself making a comeback into professional
football after you have finished at Bath University?
My manager asked if I was interested in getting back into professional
football as 4 English league clubs were interested.
I'd like to thank Barry for taking some time to answer these questions, and wish him, and Team Bath, all the best in their bid for the championship.
football after you have finished at Bath University?
My manager asked if I was interested in getting back into professional
football as 4 English league clubs were interested.
I'd like to thank Barry for taking some time to answer these questions, and wish him, and Team Bath, all the best in their bid for the championship.