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In modern parlance, defender Colin Barrett would nowadays be called a
squad player. Born in the Cheadle Heath district of Stockport, Barrett
joined City as a 17 year-old apprentice from local side Cheadle Heath
Nomads in May 1970. After impressive performances in the reserve sides,
Barrett forced himself into the first-team reckoning after just two
games of the 1972/73 season, deputising for the injured Tony Book in a
3-0 home win against Norwich. Standing just short of six feet tall,
Barrett was equally at home at either full-back or centre-half, a
position he played later that season when standing in for Tommy Booth.
He was one of many younger players given a chance that season, the heavy
injury list of the previous campaign still causing selection
difficulties
At the end of his debut season he'd played in 16/2 games,
including the return First Round UEFA Cup tie in Valencia, a game City
lost 2-1 to go out of the competition. 1973/74 was a similar season for
the blond-haired, solid and reliable defender. This time out he took
part in 22/1 games, including four in the Blues' run to Wembley and the
League Cup Final against Wolves. Having played in both legs of the
semi-final against Plymouth, he unfortunately lost out to the more
experienced Glyn Pardoe for the final itself. He played in the first
eleven League games of the following season, eventually losing his place
to a combination of Geoff Hammond and Jeff Clarke although he did
finish with a total of 21/1 appearances for the season and his one and
only senior goal.
That came in a 6-0 League Cup triumph over Scunthorpe
in September. A further six games followed in 1975/76 before Barrett was
sold to Nottingham Forest (initially after a short loan period) in
April 1976. After five years with Forest, he eventually finished his
playing career with Swindon. In total he made 65/4 senior appearances
for the Blues. (Ian Penney - author of The Legends of Manchester City)
1970-1976 Manchester City 53 (0)
1976-1980 Nottingham Forest 69 (4)
1980-1981 Swindon Town 3 (0)
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