Barney Bowers
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Robert Bowers | ||
Robert Bowers (born 19 August 1959, better known as Barney Bowers) is a former Derby, Cliftonville, Ards and Glentoran F.C. player.
Bowers 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.
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] As an 18 year old Barney slipped through the Glentoran scouting network, only to be signed by Cliftonville. In those days Barney was a midfielder, and earned rave reviews, for his all action play. Such was his talent that 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.
Along with Paterson, Cleary, Jameson, Blackledge etc. Barney played his part during the trophy winning sides of the mid-eighties. Goals have also played their part in Barney's game with over 100 during his time.
A whole hearted player, who gained just reward in 1992 when 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 our double year, when out with a broken leg. A well-deserved honour for truly one of the great Glentoran players. Debut v Dundalk 0-0 (H) August 1981
Bowers scored Ards only goal in their 1997 UEFA Intertoto Cup campaign.
Appearances:
- 1981-82 44 + 4 goals
- 1982-83 37 + 12 goals
- 1983-84 51 + 16 goals
- 1984-85 50 + 18 goals
- 1985-86 22 + 7 goals
- 1986-87 28 + 5 goals
- 1987-88 18 + 3 goals
- 1988-89 35 + 3 goals
- 1989-90 54 + 1 as sub + 7 goals
- 1990-91 42 + 1 as sub + 3 goals
- 1991-92 37 + 2 as sub + 7 goals
- 1992-93 40 + 6 goals
- 1993-94 39 + 1 as sub + 10 goals
- 1994-95 20 + 1 as sub + 3 goals
As of 2012, he is 6th place on the list of most appearances for Glentoran.[2] This also means he is a member of the 250 Club.[3]