Former Eastbourne Town player's daughter is calling on ex-teammates to get in touch

The daughter of a former Eastbourne Town player is hoping to get in touch with his former teammates and managers after her dad turned 80in August.
Barry King at the SaffronsBarry King at the Saffrons
Barry King at the Saffrons

Barry King started playing at the Saffrons in 1964 - and now he suffers from dementia so cannot remember all the names of previous players.

But daughter Linda and sons Mike and Dave will take their dad to a game when the season kicks off again to watch a home game. Linda said: “We have written to the Club to let them know too. The secretary, Richard Marsh, has very kindly got back to me and I believe the Chairman is going to respond too. We hope to make an old man very happy.

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“If there are any ex-players or management out there it would be lovely to find out and get in touch.”

Barry moved to Harebeating Crescent in Hailsham with wife Carmel in January 1964.

Linda said: “ Dad popped down to Eastbourne Town to watch a couple of games at which time he expressed an interest in playing for them.

“The out-going manager Jack Boyd introduced dad to Alan Cornwall the new Manager who invited him to some pre-season training with the team he was then asked to play, Alan gave him the number seven shirt, right wing.”

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Because of the dementia Barry remembers only a couple of the teams he played against Hastings, Crawley & Horsham and of course Eastbourne United. Alan Cornwall only stayed for just over one season, then Bill Booth took over. Barry’s footballing career ended in the 68/69 season, where an opponentwent in with a studs-up challenge and damaged his ankle so badly he had to be stretchered off.

Linda said: “Unfortunately for dad the injury has since come back to haunt him in his latter years as he now has arthritis and walks with a limp.”

Barry looks back on his time at Eastbourne Town fondly. He

aid: “As a 25 year old kid running out onto the pitch at Eastbourne for the first time I was so excited, heart-pumping, adrenalin running through me I just wanted to get started.

“I felt so proud to wear the “saffron” shirt!! We had such great banter in the changing room before the game, Alan or Bill would give us our team talk and then we’d just get out there and do it. Whichever way the result went, we were a team and supported each other no matter what.“

If you played with Barry or know anyone who did, please get in touch, contact uis at [email protected]