Barney Bowers

Robert Bowers (born 19 August 1959), better known as Barney Bowers, is a former professional footballer who played as a midfielder for Derby County, Cliftonville, Ards and Glentoran.

Barney Bowers
Personal information
Full name Robert Bowers
Date of birth (1959-08-19) 19 August 1959
Place of birth Belfast, Northern Ireland
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1978–1978 Cliftonville
1978–1981 Derby County 0 (0)
1981–1995 Glentoran 524 (108)
1995–1997 Ards 25 (1)
Total 549 (109)
International career
1987–1989 Irish League XI 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He has won every medal possible in the Irish League during his career for Glentoran, where he played from 1981 to 1995. He is also in the club's top 10 players in terms of appearances, ranking 7th, and is one of 27 players to score over 100 goals for the club.

Early years and family

Robert Bowers is the second child of George "Geordie" Bowers (1933–2012) and Christina Bowers (1938–1987). He was born on the 19 August 1959. He has three sisters and three brothers. He grew up in east Belfast. He was given the nickname Barney by friends and family, which he became better known by.

Career

Early career (1978–1981)

As an 18-year-old Barney was a part of the Glentoran scouting network, only to be signed by Cliftonville. Derby manager Tommy Docherty signed him for £25,000.

Despite an offer from Swindon Town, Barney opted to return to Belfast, and join his boyhood favourites at The Oval in August 1981.

Glentoran (1981–1995)

Bowers made his debut in a match against Dundalk at home in August 1981, which finished 0-0.

Despite missing so much Barney still amassed over 500 appearances for Glentoran after joining from Derby County in August 1981, but for those two broken legs and a fractured cheekbone Barney would have been the record holder for Glentoran appearances.[1]

In 1992 he led Glentoran to the League title, the only medal he had previously not won in the Irish League, having missed out on a medal during their double year, when out with a broken leg.

As of 2019, he is 7th place on the list of most appearances for Glentoran with 524.[2] This also means he is a member of the 250 Club.[3] He is also on the list for top goal scorers with 108.[4]

Ards (1995–1997)

Bowers scored Ards only goal in their 1997 UEFA Intertoto Cup campaign.[5]

He is the record holder for European appearances for a Glentoran player & Irish League player, with a number of appearances for Ards in Europe towards the end of his career.

Retirement from league football

Since retiring from league football, Bowers has still appeared in charity games. In July 2008, the Glentoran Legends team was set up, in which Barney has been a part of since the first match.[6]

Personal life

Bowers lives in Belfast, Northern Ireland with his wife. He has two sons.

Career statistics
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Cliftonville 1977–1978 Irish League 000000000000
Total 000000000000
Derby County 1978–1979 Football League First Division 000000000000
1979–1980 Football League First Division 000000000000
1980–1981 Football League First Division 000000000000
Total 000000000000
Glentoran 1981–1982[7] Irish League 444
1982–1983[8] Irish League 3712
1983–1984[9] Irish League 5116
1984–1985[10] Irish League 5018
1985–1986[11] Irish League 227
1986–1987[12] Irish League 285
1987–1988[13] Irish League 183
1988–1989[14] Irish League 353
1989–1990[15] Irish League 557
1990–1991[16] Irish League 433
1991–1992[17] Irish League 397
1992–1993[18] Irish League 406
1993–1994[19] Irish League 4010
1994–1995[20] Irish League 213
Total 524108
Ards 1995–1996 Irish League 000000
1996–1997 Irish League 000101
Total 00010251
Career total 549109

Honours

Glentoran

Notes
  1. "Glentoran: Legends: Barney Bowers".
  2. "All-Time Player Appearances | Glentoran FC".
  3. "250 Club | Glentoran FC".
  4. "All-Time Leading Goal Scorers | Glentoran FC".
  5. "Ards Football Club - Ards in the Intertoto Cup". www.ardsfc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  6. "Glentoran Legends XI". Glentoran FC. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
  7. "Barney Bowers profile". Glentoran. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  8. "Barney Bowers profile". Glentoran. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  9. "Barney Bowers profile". Glentoran. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  10. "Barney Bowers profile". Glentoran. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  11. "Barney Bowers profile". Glentoran. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  12. "Barney Bowers profile". Glentoran. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  13. "Barney Bowers profile". Glentoran. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  14. "Barney Bowers profile". Glentoran. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  15. "Barney Bowers profile". Glentoran. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  16. "Barney Bowers profile". Glentoran. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  17. "Barney Bowers profile". Glentoran. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  18. "Barney Bowers profile". Glentoran. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  19. "Barney Bowers profile". Glentoran. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  20. "Barney Bowers profile". Glentoran. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
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