Patrick ‘Labba’ Barton first Pele FC player to don Senior National Colours

Oct 21, 2012 Sports

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– former Guyana Int. 1973-1978

 

Statistician Charwayne Walker continues his series of features on Guyana’s World Cup Football players. Today we are pleased to feature former Pele FC’ Patrick ‘Labba’ Barton, former Guyana International 1973 – 1978.
Pele Football Club (PFC) was formed in 1971 by Lennox ‘Mulling’ Arthur and the first player from that celebrated institution that represented Guyana at the senior level was Patrick ‘Labba’ Barton.

Barton graduated from the Under-16 ranks and was selected by Arthur for the 1971 Inter Guiana games series against Suriname. Guyana, playing under the guidance of Coach Arthur won the Forbes Burnham trophy for the first time since the inauguration of the tournament in 1967.
After the historical win in 1971, Barton was selected again in 1972 for Guyana’s defence of the trophy in Suriname but on that occasion Arthur’s boys failed to bring the bacon home.
The following year, 1973, the games returned to Guyana and Patrick ‘Labba’ Barton was appointed Captain. Guyana drew the series opener 1-1 thanks to an Aubrey Warner goal and later closed things off in the series finale courtesy of a Vibert ‘Durdy’ Butts scorcher.
This was the second time a Pele player had the honour of lifting the Forbes Burnham trophy, Monty Wilson was the first in 1971. After his impressive performance against Suriname, Barton was included in the Ken Gibbs led 18-man squad.
The Pele stalwart’s first outing in Senior National colours was against Jamaica at GFC Ground under lights. Although he experienced limited time in his debut match, Ken Gibbs men won 2-1, the experience gained would later prove invaluable.
His next senior International cap was a 2-0 loss to Suriname at GSC Ground, a result that sent Guyana packing from the 1973 Caricom Football Championship. Guyana played no internationals in 1974 so the 19 year-old Barton’s only action was in the Demico League for Pele F.C.
His next match against foreign opponent was in 1975 against the touring Port of Spain League team, Trinidad and Tobago. His next outing in this same year in senior colours was for the Guyana World Cup team against Bare of Brazil and Texaco of Trinidad and Tobago both series were contested at Camp Ayanganna.
Barton’s first senior tour was to Brazil with the World Cup squad in January 1976. After the Brazil visit, the Pele midfield general was spectacular in four (4) internationals against Cuba played at McKenzie Sports Club Ground, Burnham Park New Amsterdam and the GCC Ground, Bourda.
Following that series, Sir Alex Ferguson’s Scottish Division One side, St. Mirren visited. They arrived here buoyed by the fact that they had defeated Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados and Suriname.
Their success continued against the Guyanese in the series opener at GCC Ground, Bourda. In the series finale goals by Barton and Vibert Butts put an end to Ferguson and St. Mirren’s unbeaten run.
Barton’s next International is the game ‘Labba’ has always talked about, July 4, 1976; Guyana first World Cup match.
Pele FC had eight (8) members on that historical squad; Vibert Butts, Keith Niles, Gregory Stewart, Terrence Nicholls, Patrick Barton, Denzil Thompson, Keith Layne and Wendell Sandiford.   Guyana won 2-0 and the goal scorers were Vibert Butts and Keith Nikes, while goalkeeper Wendell Sandiford’s brilliance earned him the player-of-the-match award.
His {Barton} next game still remains fresh in his memory, the return World Cup fixture in Paramaribo where Guyana’s 3-0 loss meant that they had exited the 1976 World Cup campaign.
Barton missed the National team’s last two internationals in 1976 against Curacao because of a conflict between Pele FC and the then Guyana Football Association (GFA).
His international career continued the following year, 1977, when Trinidad and Tobago visited for a three match series. Barton scored a vital penalty to lead Guyana to a 2-1 victory in the first game contested at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground.
He also played an integral role in the second game that drew 2-2 at the GCC, Bourda.  Although he was sensational in the final game, Guyana went down 2-0 and that result propelled Trinidad to the series win on goal difference.
Next up for Barton was an international series which Guyana won against the lads from the Land of the Flying Fish, Barbados. The Guyanese took the opening game 2-0 and drew the second, 0-0.
His international Programme in 1977 concluded with four matches against Cuba’s Under-23 team. Castro’s reserves won two games, drew one and lost one. He also featured for Pele F.C at the Caribbean Football Union Club Championship against Vowaarts of Suriname.
Pele led by Barton won the first match 2-0 at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground but lost the return fixture in Paramaribo and was eliminated. In 1978, Barton was appointed Captain of the National Under-23 team which lost 2-1 and 4-3 respectively to Suriname’s Under-23s at the GFC and Mackenzie Sports Club Grounds. After the Under-23 series against Suriname, Barton toured Barbados and the Twin Island Republic of Trinidad & Tobago with the Earl O’Neal led senior team.
His final international matches were as Captain of Pele in the CFU Club Championship; Barton led from the front when Pele defeated Racing Club of Aruba home and abroad.  After the Aruba victory Barton immigrated to the U.S.A where he still resides.
‘Labba’ Barton was the man that led Pele to the Demico League championship in 1976 and 1977.  He also led the club to a number of knock-out titles.
International Tours
1972    – Suriname Inter Guiana Series
1975    – Brazil with World Cup Squad
1976    – Suriname World Cup Qualifier
1977    – Suriname C.F.U Club Championship
1978    – Barbados, Trinidad. Goodwill tour with National Team
1978    – Aruba C.F.U Club Championship

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