With everyone away from the Oval for an undetermined period, we have decided to bring Glentoran supporters some of the most compelling content from the multi award winning Glentoran Gazette. We hope you will enjoy the stories and player interviews we bring and that it will encourage you to buy a Gazette at our home matches when football returns. Many thanks to the Glentoran Supporters Committee (1923) for use of this material. The third of our three series, "250 Club" series will consist of interviews with current squad members with Eddy Patrick this season.
Barney Bowers
524 appearances 108 goals
Barney and fellow 250 Club member Alan Paterson with the Irish Cup after the win over Linfield in 1985
This season the Gazette’s Eddy Patrick will be chatting with members of this legendary group of players; this afternoon it’s the versatile Barney Bowers.
You started your career at Cliftonville. What are your memories from then?
I have great memories from my time at Cliftonville where Jackie Hutton gave me my opportunity; I was so grateful for that. My team mates and the supporters gave me great encouragement from day one. We had a great 3-2 win against the Blues at Windsor where I was lucky enough to score the winner, then on a personal note I got a call up to the international squad at 18 years old by Danny Blanchflower which was a very proud moment.
Tommy Docherty signed you for £25K, a big moment in your career. Can you sum up that feeling and what was it like over at Derby?
It all happened so quickly. My dad got a phone call on Friday evening and I signed on the Saturday morning at the Drumkeen hotel. I was a real homebird, so I took quite a while to settle, but I loved it there, Derby are a smashing club. Casko and Victor Moreland were there and Billy really looked after me so I was gutted when they both went to America. But overall it was a fantastic experience.
Despite an offer from Swindon, you decided to come home to sign for the Glens. Was that a difficult decision to make?
Coming home was the hardest decision I've had to make in my football career. Looking back I was too young and naive to be making such a big call on my own. Signing for the Glens was the easy part.
You won every medal possible in the Irish League. Which was the sweetest?
We enjoyed many great times together, European nights were always special. But beating Linfield in the Irish cup final at a packed Windsor Park was very sweet.
Who would you say is the best player you’ve ever played with and against?
I played with many super players at the Oval it would be impossible to pick one. I was also lucky enough to play with boyhood hero George Best when we played Manchester United at the Oval, it doesn't get any better than that. We also played some top sides in Europe so Rudi Voller (Marseille) who actually gave me his shirt, which I still I have, and Safet Susic (PSG) really stood out.
Barney exchanges pennants v Marseilles in 1992
Daftest thing you’ve seen a team mate do on the pitch or in changing room?
If my memory serves me correctly we were playing Ballymena at the Showgrounds when big Norman Porter came on as a sub and then got sent off for punching their centre forward. He never touched the ball once. They kicked lumps out of us that day and he got so wound up before he came on he couldn't control himself. Unbelievable!!
You made 524 appearances, 7th highest of all time, and but for injuries could have held the record. Frustrating or are you happy to have made over 500?
I was just delighted that I got to make so many appearances. They were the best of days.
Being a through and through Glenman, you must really miss those games against the Blues in particular. What was it like as a fan playing in those Big Two derbies?
Playing against the Blues you needed to focus until the last minute of every game, they just never ever gave up. Back then we could have played them sometimes 8 times in a season. We always enjoyed going to Windsor though, and because of the hostile atmosphere our lads embraced and thrived on it. As a Glentoran fan all my life it was a great thrill to play in those games.
Barney in the 1987 Irish Cup Final win over Larne
With 108 goals to your name, which were your favourites?
The one I scored against Standard Liege was definitely one as it was my first goal in Europe. I also remember one against Distillery at New Grosvenor when their ‘keeper Robbie Beck took a goal kick, I took one touch and chipped him from the halfway line.
Do you get down to the Oval often? What are your thoughts on the current team?
I still go to a few games home and away. There have been plenty of positives so far this season, the team are going well. And as the season progresses I would hope they have the belief that if everyone keeps pulling together they can achieve something, as I think on their day they needn't fear anyone. Going forward we will need a few additions to strengthen our squad. With the fantastic support we are getting both home and away I would imagine players and staff are really enjoying it. Long may it continue.
Barney takes the crowd applause at our Legends Day at the Oval earlier this season
