Basher broke through into the first team at the end of 1991-92 as a teenager, and was a major part of the team the following season as he fired in around 20 goals whilst Saints just missed out of promotion. He stayed with Saints until the summer of 1996, when he moved on to Hibs. After starting with a bang in the Premier Division, he picked up a few injuries as Hibs were relegated in 1998.
He didn't have much joy the season after, as Alex McLeish spent big to get new players in. When Hibs were back in the SPL in 1999, he was squad number 33 in a 34 man squad!
Tom Hendrie snapped him up on a loan deal in August 2000 and the prodigal son was soon back bashing the goals in. The deal was made permanenent a few months later, but injuries kicked in and he only scored in one game in the new years. It was a hat trick against Clydebank, his only one for a sernior club to date. Saints won the league, but Basher was released due to a major injury, and the fact that if we kept him Hibs were due more money.
Basher then spent the next year or so in the footballing wilderness, trying to get himself fully fit. He spent some time at Bath University, and also had spells at Clydebank, a time in Iceland and even some time in America, often scoring wherever he went.
During 2002/03 he went to Bath University to study a sporty degree and was part of the student team, Team Bath, who became the first uni side in over 100 years to make the FA Cup proper when they faced Mansfield on Sky. Bath also went on to win their league. Many of the non league sides in the area complained as several of Bath's players were ex pro's, but if American unis have been offering top wrestlers/basketballers scholarships for years, why can't British ones? During his year at Bath, Basher was also kind enough to do a Q and A with Saints fans on this site, something I'll always be greatful for.
During the summer of 2003, Basher came back to Love Street despite having vowed never to return. He was only keeping himself fit for going back to Bath we were told. He played against Gretna as a trialist, and scored, and played against Alloa as well. A day later he was signed on a two year deal. The prodigal son was back again :-)
Sadly he got injured the following week against Morton, but his appearance against Clyde a few weeks later changed the game. Sadly, the old qualities didn't seem to be there, when he wasn't injured he missed easy chances.
His only goal of the season came against Airdrie United in January 2004 in the Scottish Cup. It was a cracking strike, but sadly Basher's last Saints goal.
Basher's last appearance in a Saints shirt came in April 2004 against Ayr United. Saints were losing 1-0 when he came off the bench, and scored four in quick succession after his arrival. He didn't score any, in fact he missed a few, but his presence caused problems. Sadly, admid more injury and bust up rumours, he wasn't to wear the strip again.
15 appearances and 1 goal were a poor return in Barry's third spell as a Saint, but Saints fans everywhere are no doubt saddened by his departure because of what he managed before.
Controversy has never been far away from Barry. During his first spell with Saints he was out of the game for a few months after a drugs problem, whilst in 2002 he was in court after standing half naked at a roundabout smashing car lights with his belt.
Last time Barry left it was under a cloud, as he was annoyed in the way the board got rid of him when he was injured. This time it's because his new job doesn't let him train part time, so it's his own choice. If he finds a new club and starts the scoring again, no doubt we'll all be calling for yet another return for the prodigal son!
All the best Barry, thanks for all the great memories. Just don't come back and score against us :-)