plumber and rugby stalwart
Born: 13 November, 1944
Died: 12 August, 2017, aged 72.
BILLY Barnes, who has died suddenly was a weel-kent figure in Glasgow rugby circles, and proof of the old adage about average players making the best coaches.
He was an Allan Glen's boy, brought-up to appreciate Rugby Union at that great city nursery of the game, but, it was on the south bank of the Clyde where he was to have the biggest impact.
He joined Cartha and played for and captained that old club for many years, but, Billy sensed the separate south-side clubs could best challenge the dominance of the West End and Milngavie “Mafia” who ruled the roost in city rugby with a united approach.
He was involved in the short-lived Glasgow South initiative of the early seventies, then, when it failed, he played a key role in the founding of Cartha-Queen's Park, when these two clubs amalgamated.
Then, as marital responsibilities, age and the demands of running the family plumbing business which he had taken-over from his father and uncle meant it was time to hang-up his boots, Billy seamlessly went into coaching.
He coached at his old school's FP club, and at Cartha, then, when Hutcheson's FP and Old Aloysians combined, he took his expertise there. He was the man who suggested future Scotland captain and British Lion Gordon Bulloch really should follow his father into the front row, converting Gordon from flanker to hooker.
If Cartha's Drumbreck Road home was his second one, he also lent his coaching and motivational skills to GHA, once Hutcheson's-Aloysians combined with Clarkston to form GHA.
He was an obvious choice to coach the Renfrewshire side when it was going, and, back in the amateur era, the old Glasgow District Union XV.
However, Billy Barnes's legacy is the number of coaches he has himself coached, advised and encouraged. In this respect, perhaps only Jim Telfer has had a greater influence on Scottish rugby.
Glasgow Assistant Coach Kenny Murray, like his mentor a former Cartha-Queen's Park coach is one of Billy's Boys. Another is Peter Laverie, the Premiership clubs' representative on the SRU Board and Council, while other younger coaches are ensuring, the Barnes legacy will long be influential in Glasgow rugby.
Rugby was very much Billy Barnes's life, but, he had other sporting interests. Back in the glory days of nine-in-a-row, he attended Ibrox as often as he could, but, mainly it was work and his family.
Indeed, he was still “on the tools” unblocking sinks and repairing ballcocks and toilets right up until his sudden and unexpected death. Retirement was not an option for Billy.
He is survived by his devoted wife Cathie, sons Russell and Iain, daughter Annemarie and grand-daughters Catriona and Samantha.
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