An interview with Les Barrett (December 2009)

Les Barrett, born in Chelsea on 22/10/1947, was on Fulham's books as an apprentice before signing professional in October 1965. Fulham had finished 20th in the First Division in 1964/65, just avoiding relegation and were destined for the same place finish in Barrett's first season as a professional. The following season they improved to an 18th place finish, before 22nd place and relegation in 1968. Relegation followed again from the Second Division to the Third in 1969. After two years in the Third Division Fulham were promoted again with a second place finish in 1971, Barrett being the club's top scorer that season. Barrett then enjoyed a long run with Fulham in the Second Division before he transferred to Second Division Millwall in October 1977. In his career he made 424 League appearances with Fulham, then added 8 more with Millwall before a stint in the U.S. with the California Surf. In 1975, with Fulham still a Second Division side, Barrett was part of the F.A. Cup Final side that went down 2-0 to West Ham United at Wembley.

Les Barrett appeared in four football cards during the period covered by this website, the first in 1967/68 when he appeared in the A&BC Chewing Gum Star Players set, and in the same year the rare FKS 1967/68 Wonderful World of Soccer Stars album. The following year he was again featured by A&BC in their 'yellow backs' Footballer series. With Fulham relegated he struggled to maintain prominence with football card producers, but was featured by Barratt & Co. in their 1972 set of Soccer Stars. The Barratt card notes 'One of the speediest wingers in the game... He is a local boy who made good with his first club. Target for first division clubs'. 

Questions and answers

Q:    You were playing for Fulham in 1966 in the First Division as an 18 year old. Did you ever imagine as a young boy that you would be playing First Division football?

A.    You don't imagine yourself playing in the First Division as such, but football was my life and I didn't want to do anything else.

Q.    When you were growing up which footballers did you admire, and why?

A.    I used to go to Chelsea every home game (they were the nearest club) and so my hero was Jimmy Greaves.

Q.    You first appeared in a football card in 1967, the A&BC Chewing Gum Star Players series. The card notes ‘Another of Fulham’s junior stars, he made his debut for England’s Under 23 team last season’. You were probably 19 years old at the time. Were you aware that you were being featured in football cards so early in your career? Do you remember being approached for your consent, or paid for your image?

A.    I didn't even know until now that I was featured on any football cards!

Q.    Did you ever collect football cards yourself? Do you still have them, or much other football memorabilia from your playing days?

A.    I didn't collect any cards and only have a small collection of old programmes, my Under-23 cap and my losers medal from the Cup Final.

Q.    You are known as a Fulham left-winger. Is it true that you are naturally right-footed? How did you come about to be playing on the left wing?

A.    I am naturally right-footed and learnt quickly to kick with my left while playing outside left. I think the reason I played on the left wing was as we at Fulham had another fast runner, Jimmy Conway, who they thought they would play on the right.

Q.    You remained loyal to Fulham through a rollercoaster of promotions and relegations, including an F.A. Cup Final in 1975. Was the F.A. Cup Final your career highlight?

A.    The Cup Final was the highlight of my career but I think my early days in the First Division were the most exciting for me.

Q.    Do you still watch football today? Do you go to games, or watch on TV? Premier League, or other games?

A.    I do watch Football League and Champions League on the TV but have never been one to go and watch games.

Other photos

In the 1960s Les and Paul Barrett recorded a song called 'Julie Brown loves Captain Cook', released as a single with the B side called 'Love Me'. Believe it or not you can actually listen to the tracks on this website. Apparently Les, being a quiet sort of guy, was never too enthused about the record. The photo at left was taken in Chappell records studio recording the records. Les and Paul also appeared on a program called 'Come here often' to sing Julie Brown, it was a program on the day dedicated to soccer, and the pair met Ron Harris and Eddie McCreadie. According to Record Collectors Magazine dated 2000, the Julie Brown song is recognised as one of the Top Ten Soccer Duets.

The photo at right shows Les and Paul riding 'Trend Trackers'. The brothers, pictured here at Craven Cottage, went on TV to promote them as a help to soccer players to get fit. Les and Paul also went on a TV program presented by Tony Bastable and had to race them!

Les' brother Paul helped to arrange this interview and I am very grateful to both Les and Paul for their time and answers. Send your memories of Les Barrett to this email link.

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