633 NOT OUT A HIGH & A PINT

Modest record-breaker Barry will celebrate beating Giggs’ appearance total with a nice beer rather than bubbly

GARETH BARRY has had to embrace change to keep playing at the top, but still loves a post-match beer.

And the evergreen West Brom midfielder will shun Champagne for his usual pint when he makes Premier League history on Monday.

The ex-England veteran equalled Ryan Giggs’ 632 appearances on Saturday when he played against West Ham.

And the 36-year-old will set a new record when he runs out at Arsenal on Monday.

Barry, who was also at Aston Villa, Manchester City and Everton, said: “I’ve never been teetotal, I’ll always have a pint with my mum and dad after a game.

“It’s something I’ve done since I was a young player and will do Monday night. Whatever’s there, I’m not fussy.”

Despite his occasional pint, Barry has dedicated himself to the game for 19 years in the top flight. He says Giggs, who played until he was 40, has been a source of inspiration as he aims to prolong his career too.

Barry has tried to emulate Giggs by practising yoga since he was in his late twenties at Villa. “Ryan was one of the first to do yoga,” he said. “He’s the most decorated player in the English game and for him to keep his level until 40, you think how is he doing it?

“I used to think yoga was for older women down the health club trying to get supple but I’ve embraced it.

“I’ve gone with those sorts of things rather than saying, ‘I’ve never done that’.”

Manchester United legend Giggs was in touch this week to congratulate Barry – and tease him. Barry added: “Ryan congratulated me and it’s lovely to hear him pass that Premier League record over.

“But he said his was a tougher record because he’s done it at a bigger club for his career. Fair enough, I’m not going to argue with Ryan about trophies and things like that.

“But when I was 32 Roberto Martinez said to me at Everton, ‘With your style you can play until you are 40’. “I was sitting there laughing but he was deadly serious. It is still going to be tough but it was nice to hear.” The youngest of four brothers, Barry was used to playing with bigger lads growing up in Hastings, East Sussex. He has never been afraid to back himself, having been on Brighton’s books but moving to Villa aged 16. After 12 years there, he was one of Manchester City’s trailblazing early bigmoney signings, going on to win the Premier League and FA Cup with them. He could have stayed but in 2014 opted to join Everton to play more regularly. It was the same motivation that led to him signing for Albion in the summer when Ronald Koeman expanded Everton’s squad. Barry, a dad-of-three, said: “I didn’t want to just fizzle out. I didn’t really enjoy the last three or four months at Everton being on the bench.

“The decision to go to West Brom was to be closer to the action rather than the periphery at Everton, who were signing a lot of players.

“Koeman wanted me to stay and even offered me another year and felt I was going to get enough game time. But for me running out on a Saturday in the Premier League was always what I enjoy doing. I love the Premier League.”

Barry and Baggies boss Tony Pulis will assess his future in the summer with a view to another 12 months.

Barry, who has 53 England caps, is determined to keep playing for as long as possible, but despite his love of football has no plans to go into coaching or management.

Golf is another passion, but for now the clubs will stay mainly in the cupboard.