Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 27 December 1929
Lewis Barber.
Broomhill Man Making Good
Another Manchester City International?
On current form Manchester City will soon be replacing one international goalkeeper with another. Lewis Barber, the young Broomhill player who joined the present League leaders in 1927, is playing with wonderful consistency week by week and last Saturday he won the praises of all the critics by his great display at Blackburn. More than one writer declared that but for Barber Manchester City would not have won.
His anticipation appears to have been the feature of his play that attracted most attention, that and his powerful punching out when there was no time to gather the ball and kick clear.
The “Manchester Guardian” says of his work: “He gave one of the best displays that has been seen at Blackburn for a long time,. He alone was responsible for the fact that Blackburn did not score in the first belt when they were more effective in attack than the City. Puddefoot, McLean and Roscamp —in fact all the forwards—tested him with shots of every description and from all angles, but be was equal to every call.
And it was just the same after the interval….” Blackburn did not get the ball past him except from the penalty spot.
Barber was born at Broomhill and Wombwell had first chance of his services over three years ago. was then playing for Broomhill P.M. in the Barnsley Sunday School League. He also turned out with Broomhill W.M.C. in the Nelson League. Wombwell did not keep him and soon a ‘scout” from Halifax spotted him and had the acumen to realise his promise.
He joined Halifax and immediately took his place in their Third Division side. In the summer of 1927 he was transferred to Manchester City to understudy Gray, the Welsh international. In spite of this formidable competition for the place in the senior tram, Barber had not long to wait for chance once he got it be could not displaced. Now he is Manchester City’s regular goalkeeper, and it is generally acknowledged that he has had a lot to do with putting the club in its present position in the First Division table. By all accounts, indeed, he will soon be catching the eyes of the English Selection Committee.
Barber has been considerably helped in his rapid rise by his physical fitness. He is splendidly built: tall, athletic, strong, and in perfect trim. He is a non-smoker and abstainer, and has a personality to back his goalkeeping gifts.
He promises to add another to the many football laurels won by men of this district who have gone “abroad” to seek fame and fortune in the world of sport.