Shaw, Barry – Football manager was in for the high jump

 Barry Shaw (b1950)

Although he played soccer for both of his schools, the National and St Wulfram’s, he had other pursuits on his mind.

He enjoyed athletics, was a keen pole-vaulter and represented Lincolnshire at cross-country running.

But after school, he was focussed on football. He began at Londonthorpe-base Wanderers, then joined Wiseman’s the following season.

He spent the next season at Grantham St Anne’s before a four-year stint on the right wing at Harrowby United and a flirtation at Sleaford Town.

He joined Grantham Reserves and made his first team debut in March 1972, a Midland League Cup quarter-final tie at Retford Town. His next appearance was at the end of 1974 and finished that season with another 16 appearances to his name.

The arrival of John Bower at London Road though, in the Summer of 1975, severely limited Barry’s appearances the following year, but he did come on as substitute in the November FA Cup replay at Port Vale.

The next few campaigns continued to see him making only occasional appearances, but the 1978/79 season saw him at long last firmly established in Grantham’s defence. Barry played in 30 league games that year, including the closing fixture at home to Merthyr Tydfil which saw a 3-0 win for The Gingerbreads secure the league title by one point over their opponents.

Grantham’s first season in the Northern Premier League was to be his last full season with the team, although he returned to make a sole appearance in the November 1981 Redmayne Trophy tie against Nottingham Forest when he came off the bench to replace Nick Jarvis.

Barry continued his involvement with local football at Grantham Colts – winning seven trophies in one season -and Grantham United (Grantham Town’s reserves), before taking over the first team’s managerial position during the Autumn of 1985.

He stayed at the London Road helm until the end of the 1986/87 season, overseeing two mid-table league positions.

Barry then returned to Harrowby United, the first of three periods as Manager there, eventually leading them to a Midland Regional League and Cup double and promotion into the United Counties League, before joining Cottesmore Amateurs.

Off the field, he was a partner with Terry Bly and Tony Davies in Wharf Road sports shop  Plamore Sports.

Barry still lives in Grantham and after installing windows and conservatories for many years, tends to concentrate on shop fitting.

Compiled with the assistance of Jon Barnes