Rangers' tribute to Ken Barnes

Stafford Rangers today paid tribute to one of their most famous former player's, Ken Barnes, who has died at the age of 81.

Barnes passed away peacefully yesterday following a diagnosis of lung cancer and emphysema, leaving behind a wife and four children.

It came just over 60 years after the Birmingham-born wing-half left Rangers looking for stardom in the game, having been a big player at Marston Road for three years since joining the club after completing his National Service, which had been based with the Royal Air Force in Stafford.

Rangers received £750 when he left for Manchester City in the summer of 1950, where he went on to become one of the club's most popular players in 11 years at Maine Road.

Described as "the best uncapped wing-half ever to have played in English football" by team-mate and lifelong friend Denis Law, who visited him on the day of his death, the closest Barnes ever came to playing for the England team was being named as a reserve for a match against Wales in October 1957.

Barnes later played for and managed Wrexham, going on to boss Witton Albion and Bangor City before returning to Manchester City in 1970 first as a coach and then chief scout, a role he held until 2000 before being inducted into the club's Hall of Fame in 2004.

He also had a son, Peter, who went on to be a successful footballer playing for Manchester City, Albion and England among others before coming to Stafford late in his career.

At Marston Road today, Rangers acting chairman Mike Hughes led the tributes to Ken.

He said: "It's sad news, obviously Ken played for us a long time ago but there were still a few fans who come to the games that can recall him, because he was a well known player. He was one of a number of players with strong links to Stafford who went on to better things.

"It's a sad loss to the game and our sympathies to his family and his son Peter, who also played for Stafford Rangers."