Barnshaw: Robert James (Bob)

1916-1917 (Leeds City War-time Guest Player Details)

Centre Half

Born: Hebburn: 14-03-1889

Debut: v Bradford City (h): 25-12-1916

Height & Weight: 5'10" 11st 7lb (1914)

Barnshaw started playing with Hebburn Argyle and joined the staff at Sheffield Wednesday (then known as ‘The Wednesday’) in November 1910 He did, however, suffer a damaged knee after joining Wednesday, and so he returned to Hebburn Argyle without having played a senior game at Hillsborough. After his release, which dropped him back to lower levels of the game, it was quite likely due to the knee injury sustained, as it saw Wednesday retain his registration. He eventually transferred to Sheffield United for a total of £90 split between his two previous clubs in May 1913. This time he was one of five Argyle players that were signed to go to Bramall Lane with Sheffield United, where he played three First Division games at Centre-half before the War intervened, after he made his debut for them in a 1-3 defeat on 1st November 1913 at Burnden Park by Bolton Wanderers which saw his two previous club benefit by a further £30 under the terms of the agreement for his sale. However after two more games that season he was sold to Watford in May 1914 for £125. At Watford he made his debut on 16th September 1914 in a 0-0 home draw with Brighton & Hove Albion, in the Southern League Division1. He played eleven games in their Southern League title winning season of 1914-15 and resumed with them after WW1, playing a further forty-seven games of which twelve were in their inaugural 1920-21 Football League campaign, and scoring four times. He also played three F.A. Cup games. He played one game for Leeds City at Left-Half as a War-time guest. The fixture he played in was on Christmas Day 1916 when regular left-half Levi Thorpe was injured and Barnshaw deputised as Leeds beat Bradford City 1-0 at Elland Road. He also appeared in a Charity game a week later at Newcastle's St James's Park when City lost 4-0 to Liverpool. According to the Liverpool Echo of 2nd January 1917," it was arranged by the League Committee for the Benefit of the widow of the late Mr. John Cameron, at St. James’ Park, Newcastle, kick-off 2:30 pm, in front of a crowd of 6,000, on New Year's Day 1917. The two teams lined up as current leaders of the two Northern Divisions, Leeds representing the Midlands and Liverpool Lancashire.The line-ups were Leeds City: Willis Walker; Charles Copeland, Frank Hudspeth; John Hampson, Harry Sherwin, Robert Barnshaw; Jimmy Stephenson, Clem Stephenson, Harry Peart, Arthur Price, Thomas Mayson. Liverpool: John William Swann; Ephraim Longworth, Tommy Lucas; John Bamber, Walter Wadsworth, Donald Mackinlay; Norman Bradley, Arthur Metcalf, Tommy Bennett, Harry Lewis, Tommy Cunliffe. The goals were scored by: 0-1 Bennett (16 min.), 0-2 Lewis (55 min.), 0-3 Bennett, 0-4 Bennett.The Merseysiders easily accounted for the leaders of the Midland Section of the League by four goals to nil. It is true that in the second half Leeds were without Price for a long time, and before the finish Barnshaw also retired; but, after making full allowance for this handicap, the fact remains that Liverpool won decisively on their merits. In every department they were superior, and in no case was this more conspicuously shown than in the matter of finishing work. In the open Leeds put up some attractive footwork, but once the penalty area was reached feebleness became so glaringly apparent that Longworth and Lucas had a very good time. Swann in goal made two fine saves from Stephenson. The strength of the winners was chiefly amongst the half backs, who never ceased in their spoliation tactics as well as in supporting their own forwards. A hat-trick by Tommy Bennett and one by Harry Lewis, the latter’s effort being the best of the day. The Leeds defenders, including Hudspeth (Newcastle) were never well-balanced, probably due to the excessive weakness of their halves. Mayson badly bungled at a penalty." Unfortunately, Barnshaw suffered an injury and never appeared again for Leeds, guesting instead for Darlington Forge Abion and Sheffield United. He represented Darlington Forge Albion in a fine 2-0 win at Roker Park on 5th April 1919 over Sunderland after leading 1-0 at half time. After the Football League recommenced after WW1, he joined Third Division Watford in 1920, for a fee of £50, and scored once in twelve appearances, as the club won the Southern League First Division title in 1915. He then moved on to Third Division South side Aberdare Athletic in 1921, where he scored twice in twenty-four League games in one season with them before retiring. He subsequently played for Ashington, joining them in October 1923, without appearing in the first eleven. Barnshaw died on 30 January 1974 in Watford.