Taking No Prisoners

The Story of Frank Barson, Football's First Hardman

John Harding

• Publisher: Pitch Publishing Ltd
• eBook ISBN:
  9781785316012
• Year: 2019

Frank Barson's life story is one of hardship and hard-won fame, his tough tackling and prowess in controlled aggression earning him a reputation that lives on today. Rising from the factory floor to become a footballing giant, Barson lifted the fortunes of Aston Villa and Manchester United while earning more cautions than anyone before or since. Born in Sheffield's industrial district of Grimesthorpe, his no-nonsense football style was forged in the 20s when learning his trade with Barnsley FC's renowned Battlers. Even in an era of ruthless tackling he stood out as a notoriously powerful player, yet his frequent dismissals belied his status as an extremely intelligent player, an inspiration to his colleagues and a true leader. Although Barson only earned a single England cap, commentators and colleagues alike would bemoan the fact that he was not captaining the national side. Football's infamous 'hard man' set standards in deadly, focussed aggression which players such as Norman Hunter and Roy Keane have since striven to emulate.

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Dedication
• Acknowledgements
• Introduction
• A Note on Sources:
• 1. A Burnt Offering
• 2. Sheffield
• 3. Grimesthorpe
• 4. Football Beginnings
• 5. Battling Barnsley
• 6. Barson’s Bombshell
• 7. The Barnsley Punch
• 8. An England Cap
• 9. A Cup Final Warning
• 10. The Stormy Petrel of the Game
• 11. Fires Slumbering Beneath
• 12. Bouncing Off Barson
• 13. Barson Takes A Battering
• 14. Back in the Big Time
• 15. The Barson Bump
• 16. Football That Kills
• 17. Justice for Frank?
• 18. Barson the Roamer
• Afterword
• Barson and the Men in Black
• Books Used
• Photos