Frank Barson

Imagine Nobby Stiles, Bryan Robson and Roy Keane rolled into one and the hardness multiplied by 10. That's the image that history tends to portray of the 6 foot tall half back Frank Barson.
Whether or not he actually carried a  gun into a negotiation over pay,it is often claimed that  Barson was one of the hardest characters to grace the English game. As such he also became something of a target for referees, Famously Jack Howcroft approached Barson before the 1920 Cup Final and warned  him that he would send him off as soon as he stepped out of line.
If we consider the hard evidence though- in 394 League, FA Cup and international matches he was only sent off 3 times! So either his reputation has been enhanced by romanticism or referees were far more tolerant back then.
Barson's Villa career had suffered as a result of his refusal to move to Birmingham from Sheffield, where he had business interests. He was capped by England on 1 occasion, playing in a 2-1 defeat against Wales in 1921.
On one occasion Barson, then with Watford, was suspended for 6 months for an assault that seems to have occurred only in the mind of the referee.
At Manchester United he was celebrated for his leadership skills, but when the club presented him with a pub, he promptly gave it away...

Club career:

		League	FA Cup	Goals
1911-19	Barnsley	91	3
1919-22	Aston Villa	92	16	10
1922-28	Manchester United	140	12	4
1928-29	Watford	10		1
1929-30	Hartlepools United	9		2
1930-31	Wigan Borough	19	1
	Total:	361	32	17

Dismissals: