Tributes paid to former Blackburn Rovers player Barrie Ratcliffe

Barrie Ratcliffe died on Friday, May 12, aged 81 after a battle with dementia.

Barrie, who was born in Blackburn, came through the Rovers ranks to feature in the first-team in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

He was a member of Rovers' 1959 FA Youth Cup-winning side, that defeated a West Ham United team that included future World Cup winners Geoff Hurst and Bobby Moore.

Barrie, who later moved to Langho, went on to appear just under 50 times for the first-team, famoulsy scoring the winner in a 1-0 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor.

After his time at Rovers, Barrie, who played predominantly as a left winger, went on to feature for the likes of Scunthorpe United and Rochdale.

A spokesperson for Blackburn Rovers said: “Our thoughts are with Barrie's family and friends at this incredibly sad time.”

Former Rovers player Barrie Ratcliffe has died (Image: Cathy Northover)

His daughter, Cathy Northover, said her dad excelled at sports and won many awards for sprinting as a St James Primary School pupil.

She said: “Dad was so proud to have worn the famous blue and white halves during his time from schoolboy to first-team in the late 50s and early 60s.

"He felt privileged to be one of the famous all Blackburn born forward line of Douglas, Byron, Pickering and Ratcliffe that played in the first team in the early 1960s.”

Cathy said Barrie “was a prolific autograph signer”.

She said: “He spent an inordinate amount of time signing books, particularly for young fans.

“When asked by his teammates why he spent so much time on it, his answer showed his humility and love for the game: ‘There'll be a day when nobody will want my autograph, so I better sign them all now!’."

Former Blackburn Rovers player Barrie Ratcliffe has died (Image: NQ)

After his football career, Barrie continued to serve the Blackburn as a butcher at Blackburn Market, taking on the family business of 'Bernard Ratcliffe and Sons' on the old open air market and then on the newer indoor market.

Cathy said: “Dad lived his latter years with dementia, eventually moving to Castleford Care Home with his wife Barbara in Clitheroe.

“His beloved wife Barbara passed away in 2018.”

Cathy said he was proud of his granddaughter, Grace Davies, who was runner up in the X Factor in 2017.

Cathy said: “Dad remained passionate about all sport and in particular football.

“He was also very proud of all the achievements of his children and grandchildren including granddaughter Grace who came second on X Factor and is pursuing a career in the music industry.”