Ross County Database

1938-1939 George Barrie

At the AGM in May the player coach position was again discussed. Mr. MacGillivray advocated the use of a player coach again. County President Stewart McCulloch said it would be a successful proposition.

So on 19th August 1938 new player coach George Barrie made his debut in a 5-2 win in the Sports Bed competition over Highland Light Infantry (HLI) at Telford Street. The pivot started somewhat shakily perhaps aware that all eyes were upon him. He was taking in his bearings and weighing up his team-mates. When he opened up he looked very fresh, much like the majority of centre backs he concentrated on the third back position. He was quickly respected by his fellow players, “he knows his job!”

He showed a quiet and effective performance in his first league game, a 3-1 home win over Keith. However a 6-2 defeat at Huntly then followed. County were then surprisingly beaten 6-2 by Wick in a Qualifying Cup tie. Although Wick had several south players brought in for the game, including Frank Wilson who had appeared for County in similar circumstances under George Henderson.

However Barrie steered County to the top of the league by early October. His performances were unostentatious and very effective, he could “bottle up” opposition goalscorers well!

Defeat at Nairn in late November allowed Elgin to consolidate their league position at the top, and on top of this Barrie was to be out injured for several matches. A December 4-1 home defeat to Buckie highlighted Barrie’s missing influence on the pitch.

He was back in mid January as the title challenge needed to be reinvigorated but was on the receiving end of a 2-1 loss at Deveronvale, he scored the County goal himself. He was then outstanding in another loss, a 3-2 North of Scotland Cup defeat to Caley.

Barrie missed a 9-4 win over Fraserburgh due to a chill but County went back to the top of league although Elgin still had 3 games in hand. Two amazing results first saw Elgin beat County 8-2 the following week, then a 6- 0 County win over Elgin took County back to the top! (8 each on aggregate!) Barrie was man of the match, his fine positional play stopped him having to run around so much!

County were clearly a weaker team the various times George was unavailable for selection. Clach won the league (Elgin eventually finished 3rd) and County finished fifth. His league record, from his solitary season with County, then stood at 12 wins, 11 losses and 3 draws. County scored 74 and conceded 80 (quite a record for a team finishing in 5th place).

In August 1939 as the world descended into conflict. JR Campbell, an expert in physical culture and a personality in the “keep fit movement”, had undertaken the duties of trainer at the club. This appeared not to include a coaching role but “should prove of great benefit in getting players into shape for lasting a full 90 minutes”. The Highland League only lasted a few games.