Francis Barrett

Francis Barrett was born in Dundee on 02 August 1872. Barrett started his football career as a left wing forward at the juvenile club National in 1886. Two years later he joined Johnstone Athletic Juniors and after another year later he joined the ranks of Dundee Harp.

Barrett was in the Harp line-up for the friendly game against Dundee FC in August 1893. Despite making some early mistakes in the game Barrett proved his worth and pulled off some magnificent saves to limit the Dundee goal count to three. Evidently Dundee saw enough in Barrett to merit his move to the League side later that season.

Barrett was initially chosen for the Scotland team to play Wales in 1894 but joined the team to play Ireland instead, exchanging places with Baird of Queen’s Park.

Barrett moved south to Newton Heath in September 1896. The move was originally for a period of ‘two Saturdays’ to cover the injury sustained to the Manchester club’s ‘keeper, Joe Ridgway. Dundee were said to be returning the Newton Heath’s favour when they allowed former city footballer, Erentz, to return to Carolina Port to play in the Scottish Cup semi-final earlier that year. In October 1896 it was reported the Newton Heath paid Dundee fives times their record fee received for a player to secure Barrett’s Services.

Barrett chalked up over a century of games in Manchester before he moved to New Brighton Tower in 1900. He played over 150 Football League games but, despite this, was not immune to press criticism; reputedly having to be persuaded to leave his home after bad reviews while living in Manchester. He finished off his career with a few appearances for Arbroath, Manchester City and the newly formed Aberdeen in 1903.

Barrett died in 1907 at the young age of 35. Such was Barrett’s impact in the North West of England that Newton Heath gave £35 to his widow- roughly worth £4,680 by 2022 values.