Barrie Hole
Encyclopedia
Barrington Gerard "Barrie" Hole (born 16 September 1942 in Swansea
) is a Welsh
former professional footballer and Wales
international.
before World War II
and his older brothers Colin and Alan had also both played for their hometown club Swansea, but Barrie did not follow the family tradition and instead joined their rivals Cardiff City
. He made his league debut as a seventeen year old during a 4-3 victory over Luton Town
in February 1960 during a season when Cardiff gained promotion to the first division.
Soon establishing himself in the Bluebirds side, even playing as an emergency stiker on occasions, he was a vital member of the side, including being ever present during the 1964-65 season. It was during the latter stages of his time at Ninian Park
that he won the first of his Welsh caps and was a regular in the side when he was signed by Blackburn Rovers
in July 1966 for £40,000. After just two years at Blackburn he moved again, this time to Aston Villa
for £60,000 in September 1968. He was signed in May 1970 by then Swansea manager Roy Bentley
for £20,000 and played for the club for two years before fully retiring in May 1972.
After retiring from football he ran a newsagents in Swansea before selling it in 2004.
Swansea
Swansea is a coastal city and county in Wales. Swansea is in the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands...
) is a Welsh
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
former professional footballer and Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
international.
Career
Hole's father Billy had been a professional footballer and played for Swansea TownSwansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
before World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and his older brothers Colin and Alan had also both played for their hometown club Swansea, but Barrie did not follow the family tradition and instead joined their rivals Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
. He made his league debut as a seventeen year old during a 4-3 victory over Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
in February 1960 during a season when Cardiff gained promotion to the first division.
Soon establishing himself in the Bluebirds side, even playing as an emergency stiker on occasions, he was a vital member of the side, including being ever present during the 1964-65 season. It was during the latter stages of his time at Ninian Park
Ninian Park
Ninian Park was a football stadium in Leckwith, Cardiff, Wales. Until 2009, it was the home ground of Cardiff City F.C., who compete in the English Football League Championship...
that he won the first of his Welsh caps and was a regular in the side when he was signed by Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
in July 1966 for £40,000. After just two years at Blackburn he moved again, this time to Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
for £60,000 in September 1968. He was signed in May 1970 by then Swansea manager Roy Bentley
Roy Bentley
Roy Thomas Frank Bentley is a retired English football player who played most notably for Chelsea and the England national side. He later became a manager...
for £20,000 and played for the club for two years before fully retiring in May 1972.
After retiring from football he ran a newsagents in Swansea before selling it in 2004.