My Story by ACLT Patron John Barnes MBE

‘I have been a Patron for the ACLT since 1999, when I was introduced to the De-Gale/Lewis family by my friend Ian Wright who was already a Patron for the ACLT. At the time I was not aware of the problems faced by people diagnosed as needing bone marrow transplants in finding life saving matches or that matching is race specific. I immediately joined the register at an ACLT registration clinic and remain proud to be associated with the work that’s being done by continually raising awareness and the recruitment of new potential bone marrow donors’. As a valued Patron of the ACLT, John has continuously helped to raise much needed funds on behalf of the charity.

Three years after his spectacular solo goal for England against Brazil at Rio's Maracana Stadium the exciting winger was signed from Watford for £900,000 by Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish in 1987 as part of his team reshaping following the departure of Ian Rush to Juventus. John linked up with other new recruits Peter Beardsley, Ray Houghton and John Aldridge in a swashbuckling lineup that swept to the Championship in style, with Barnes scoring 15 times in 38 outings.

Liverpool also equalled the record of 29 League games unbeaten from the start of the season and reached the FA Cup Final, losing to Wimbledon. The impact of Barnes earned him the votes of both the football writers and his fellow professionals of the PFA as the 1988 double Footballer of the year. The following season he won a FA Cup medal and in 1989-90 his 22 goals earned him a second title medal. During Graeme Souness's period as manager Barnes was appointed club captain and switched from the wing to a central midfield role. After Roy Evans had taken over as manager, Barnes won a Coca-Cola Cup medal in 1994-95. He joined Newcastle United in 1997, received an MBE a year later and after a loan spell with Charlton became Celtic coach in 1999, though he was to part company with them early in 2000.

John Barnes MBE