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The Guardian
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Patrick Barclay, talented and respected football journalist, dies aged 77
Patrick Barclay, the much talented and widely respected football journalist, has died at the age of 77. Barclay began his career at the Guardian and went on to work for a host of this country's other quality titles – the Observer, the Independent, the Sunday Telegraph and the Times. Barclay was also a prolific writer of football books as well as an engaging and charismatic voice on the sport for various radio and television shows, most notably Sky Sports' Sunday Supplement. 'It is with the greatest sadness that we must announce the death of our dear Patrick Barclay,' read a statement from Barclay's family. 'A celebration of Patrick's life will be held at a later date. Meanwhile, we hope that the family's wish for privacy is respected'. Born and raised in Dundee, Barclay joined the Guardian in the 1970s before becoming The Independent's first football correspondent following its launch in 1986. He moved to the Observer in 1991 and five years later became football correspondent for the Sunday Telegraph, a post he held until 2008. A year later Barclay became The Times's chief football commentator and remained in that role until December 2011. A year later he began writing for the Evening Standard, the last newspaper he worked for. Overall, Barclay covered seven World Cups, eight European Championships and four Africa Cup of Nations, as well as serving as chairman of the Football Writers' Association. Barclay's most acclaimed book was probably his 2005 profile of José Mourinho, Anatomy of a Winner. His other titles include Bloody Hell!: The Biography of Alex Ferguson, The Life and Times of Herbert Chapman and Sir Matt Busby: The Man Who Made a Football Club. The latter was shortlisted for the Cross Football Book of the Year at the Sports Book of the Year awards in 2017. 'Such awful news. Paddy Barclay has died,' wrote football journalist Philippe Auclair on Bluesky. 'A super writer, a magnificent man, a friend of thirty years. How we will miss that smile'. Paying his own tribute, the Guardian's chief sports writer, Barney Ronay, wrote: 'So sad. He was very nice to me as a new person the beat many years ago. Always remembered that. And always just so funny.' Manchester United also paid tribute to Barclay. 'Paddy will always be held in great esteem by everyone at Manchester United and we send our sympathies to his loved ones at this time,' read a statement by the club.
The Independent
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Tributes pour in after beloved journalist Patrick Barclay dies: ‘A wonderful football writer'
Tributes have poured in from the football world after beloved journalist Patrick Barclay died, aged 77. The Football Writers' Association shared a statement on behalf of Barclay's family that read: "It is with the greatest sadness that we must announce the death of our dear Patrick Barclay.' The FWA added that a celebration of Barclay's life will take place at a later date with full tributes to also follow. Barclay wrote for the Independent, Guardian/Observer, Times and the Telegraph throughout his career, and also penned a number of books, including biographies on Jose Mourinho, 'Anatomy of a Winner', and Sir Alex Ferguson, 'Football - Bloody Hell!' Former England internationals Alan Shearer and Robbie Fowler led the tributes for Barclay, who grew up in Dundee and started his career in journalism at the Dundee Evening Telegraph. Shearer wrote: 'Ah no. Such sad news. RIP Paddy.' While Fowler added a post with a broken heart emoji: 'A great Patrick.' The Independent's chief football writer Miguel Delaney said: 'Truly one of the legends of football journalism, from an era that defined that description. Paddy had an elegance about his writing, that mirrored an effervescence of personality. There are multiple stories about what a great character he was, that I had the fun of experiencing myself, and he was an extremely warm person.' While many of Barclay's colleagues replied to the FWA's post on X, describing him as 'charming, smart and welcoming to us all' by Global Publisher of Sport DMG Media Lee Clayton. While Fulham Football Club added: 'We're so sorry to hear this sad news about Paddy. Our thoughts and best wishes go out to his family and all who knew him.' Chief sports correspondent Matt Lawton said: 'So sad to hear this news last night. Paddy was a charming man. The elegance in his writing for The Times and many other publications extended to everything he did.' The Athletic's Senior football writer Oliver Kay wrote: 'Such sad news. A wonderful football writer and always such engaging company. RIP Paddy.' Lee Parker, Chelsea's stadium announcer, added: 'Incredibly sad news. A wonderful man with encyclopaedic knowledge, humour and humility. Thinking of his family and friends.' Adrian Bevington, former Club England Managing Director at The FA, said: 'Very sad news. Paddy was a fine writer with his own unique style and that wonderful voice. Great company, with a deep knowledge of the game, he always enjoyed a football debate and quiz. You'll be greatly missed Paddy.'
