Barry takes to village greens to ease into life after retirement
There has been an unusual sight on the village greens of the Cotswolds this summer, where the Premier League’s record appearance holder, Gareth Barry, has been seen clocking up runs for Temple Grafton Cricket Club.
After 22 years as a professional, with 653 games in the top flight, Barry is doing something different. He has not been tempted into management like his contemporaries Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard have. Instead he has been playing in the Cotswold Hills Cricket League on a Saturday.
“I’ve been going in at No 5 ... and first- change bowler,” Barry said. “I love playing. I had 20- odd years not playing and had a couple of games at the end of last season. I’ve played nine or 10 games in a row this summer. It’s my local village team and it keeps that team thing going.”
Heading into the training ground every morning is what Barry, 39, will miss most. He admits he knew the time was right to hang up his boots, but the announcement was fittingly understated.
Barry rarely made the headlines as a player, but he was Mr Dependable for Aston Villa, Manchester City, Everton, West Bromwich Albion and England.
“I was away in Portugal when I announced it and I was away from the media,” he said. “I had d a bit of time to think about ut it and it was emotional nal thinking about what hat you are leaving behind and what you’ve ou’ve achieved.
“But life fe goes on and I’m ready for the new life ahead, whatever that will be.”
In his voice, however, there is a hint at how tough that decision was. His record number of appearances came at clubs he had affection for and, in the case of Villa, he had turned down chances to leave before eventually joining Manchester City, where he won the Premier League.
His final two clubs, Everton and West Brom, face each other today and Barry will be watching as a pundit, as he ponders how he will organise his life after football.
“I’m not just going to roll out of bed and do nothing,” he said. “I’ll exercise because you generally feel better.
“But the routine is massive. I’m going to miss going into training and knowing exactly what is going on.
“I’m planning to get a weekly routine to keep myself in a bit of shape, even though you can’t keep to Premier League standards.
“I’ll miss seeing the lads. Being a footballer, you love playing in front of packed stands with a deafening atmosphere. When the fans come back, that is probably when it will hit me. That is what football is all about.”
Barry has been encouraged to start coaching, but says management is not for him. “It’s a difficult one, with coaching, because a lot of my former team-mates and friends, they just look at me and say ‘you’re management material’,” he said. “But for me personally, inside, I don’t feel I want to do it.
“I’m not sure why, but I suppose you have to go with your instincts and, at the minute, that is not for me.
“I’m keen to keep my eye in and I’ve watched games,” he added.
“Never say never with any opportunities, but maybe the media is more likely a route.”