*Indicates unconfirmed information. Figures in brackets after English team names indicate all appearances made and goals scored in competitive matches for Football League clubs from 1888 onwards. For Scottish League clubs the figures show details of all competitive appearances and goals scored from 1946/47 onwards.
Ronnie Barr
Appearances: 110+5 Goals: 9
Date / Year of birth: 3rd October 1957
Position: Right-back / Midfielder
Season of first appearance: 1976/77
Season of last appearance: 1978/79
Also played for: Southend United (0), Orient (0), Chelmsford City, Penzance and Falmouth Town
Versatile 5' 10" tall player born in Hayle, Cornwall who began his career at Southend as a youth before moving to Orient in 1974. During his time at Brisbane Road Ronnie became a regular in the reserves and won the club's 'Young Player of the Year' award for 1974/75.
In the summer of 1976 Ronnie joined Margate and he made his debut in a 3-1 win over Hastings in a Southern League Cup tie at Hartsdown Park on 21.8.76, the opening day of the 1976/77 season. He played at right-back and was described as "a gifted performer" by the local press. He went on to make 53 appearances (one as sub) without scoring during the campaign as Margate were relegated from the Southern League Premier Division. Ronnie usually played as a full-back but also featured in midfield on numerous occasions.
He continued to appear regularly during the 1977/78 season, generally playing in midfield but also playing a few games at centre-back and as a striker. Ronnie scored five goals from 40 outings during the campaign as Margate won the Southern League 1st Division (South) title. His hard work, energy and pace made him one of Margate's most consistent performers and his creative play was praised by the Thanet Times who said in one report that Ronnie "sprayed out a series of telling passes in immaculate fashion".
At the start of the 1978/79 season he struggled to gain a regular first team place but played at right-back or in midfield during his occasional early appearances. However Ronnie finally had a run in the side in December 1978. He'd made 22 appearances (four as a substitute) and scored four goals when he left the club in March 1979. Ronnie was having difficulty with travelling from his Southend home and soon joined Chelmsford.
Ronnie later returned to his native Cornwall and initially joined Penzance where he became a popular player. His brother Tony also played for the club at the time.
In the summer of 1984 Ronnie moved on to Falmouth and enjoyed a very successful spell with the club. Falmouth won the South Western League and Cup double for 1985/86 and then won the league title again the following season. The club also had their best-ever run in the FA Vase during 1986/87 and Ronnie was part of the side that lost 1-0 at home to eventual winners St Helens in a quarter final replay watched by a crowd of over 1500 at Bickland Park. He left Falmouth at the end of the 1987/88 campaign having made 141 appearances for the club and scoring 23 goals. Ronnie then retired.
In later years he moved into management and Ronnie had a spell in charge of Penzance Ladies which ended when he resigned in the summer of 2000.
He went on to manage South Western League club Penryn Athletic and took charge there in May 2002, shortly after the end of the 2001/02 season. Ronnie resigned from the post in March 2003 and his son Lewis was part of Penryn's side at the time.
Later in 2003 Ronnie became joint manager of Cornwall's Youth side and he continued in the role until 2005.
In 2006 he was living in Penzance and working as a builder. Ronnie was also a successful golfer in Cornwall at the time and his talented daughter Dani was playing for Truro City Ladies after joining them from Penzance. She had also played hockey at county level.
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
FAT |
SLC |
KSC |
| |
|
1976/77 (MFC) |
52 (55) |
1 |
0 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION (22ND OF 22) |
3QR |
1R |
2R |
1R |
|
| Margate relegated to Southern League First Division (South). | |||||||||
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
FAT |
SLC |
KSC |
KSS | |
|
1977/78 (MFC) |
40 (47) |
0 |
5 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE FIRST DIVISION (S) (1ST OF 20) |
1QR |
1R |
1R |
1R |
GR |
| Margate promoted to Southern League Premier Division. | |||||||||
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
FAT |
SLC |
KSC |
| |
|
1978/79 (MFC) |
18 (58) |
4 |
4 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION (19TH OF 22) |
4QR |
3R |
1R |
2R |
|
| Margate moved to new Southern League Southern Division following reorganisation of Southern League. | |||||||||