Members News: Unbelievably, Our Sky Blues Scottish Seventies Stalwart Is 82 Today! Enjoy Roy!!
Roy in his Sky Blue heyday
In the second of six Sky Blue birthdays being celebrated by our Association members today CCFPA wishes former Sky Blue skipper Roy Barry a very happy 82nd birthday for today!
Born in Edinburgh on 19th September 1942 Roy started out professionally with Hearts in 1960. City brought Roy south from Dunfermline Athletic in 1969 ostensibly to fill a George Curtis shaped hole in the heart of the Sky Blues defence.
Roy Barry at Highfield Rd
Over the next four years he was an inspirational central defender and sometime Club Captain for the Sky Blues and won many plaudits at Highfield Road for his robust yet skilled role at the heart of the City defence over 96 appearances (two goals) before moving on to Crystal Palace in 1973.
Moving back to Scotland with Hibernian in 1975 he became player-manager with East Fife the following year. Further management experience with Oxford United (1986) and locally at Nuneaton followed before retiring from the game.
Roy leads the FP’s Applause
Roy has also been a stalwart for Coventry City Former Players Association coming back many a time from his native Scotland to attend various Association functions including the Tribute day for his late footballing pal and Sky Blue favourite Ernie Hunt at the first match of that season now a few years ago (pictured above right with fellow CCFPA members Barry Powell, Willie Carr and Jeff Blockley).
CCFPA members & Sky Blues FPs Kevin Drinkell, Ian Wallace & Roy with Billy in Dunfermline in 2010
Roy has also been instrumental in seeing Dunfermline, the club from whom CCFC signed him, develop its own Association for ex players along the successful lines we have set up in Coventry and is pictured in 2010 with some of our former player members who have also played in Scotland and who were entertained at the Ricoh by Roy.
An elated Roy Barry
CCFPA vice chair Billy Bell is a regular visitor to see Roy on his home turf over the years including last month (August 2024) and we have reported a number of Roy’s past birthday celebrations and other goings on where often Billy has taken a central role (q.v.).
CCFC will always have a special place in Roy’s heart and, even though not in the best of health still follows the Sky Blues’ fortunes avidly. He is pictured right celebrating our FA Cup QF victory at home earlier this year.
Have a wonderful birthday today Roy and see you back at a CCFPA event, hopefully, soon!
