WESTBURY United Football Club’s president – who has served the club over a span of some 80 years – was welcomed as a guest of honour at the Western League’s Annual Convention in Torquay last weekend.
Ernie Barber first got involved with the club in 1931 at the age of six, where he was enlisted to carry the first aid kit. Since then, he has taken on a variety of roles in the club and now enjoys the position of club president.
For Ernie, it’s his passion for football that has driven his enthusiasm for the club. “It’s because I like football!” he said. “I’m 86 now so I can’t play, but I like to see them win! I didn’t know anything about this convention until the letter turned up. It was an honour to be invited.”
Ernie explained how his connection with the club started. “I’ve been with the club all my life – I lived next door to the manager when I was six years old and went with him and carried the first aid kit. That was in 1931.”
Ernie’s passion for the game continued when he joined the RAF as a wireless operator, playing lots of football in squadron teams and even playing on the continent after taking part in the D Day landings.
After the war, Ernie came back in 1947 and started playing for Westbury United, both in the reserves and on the 1st team. In 1963 he was asked to take on the secretary’s job temporarily- a role that ended up lasting 30 years!
Since retiring as secretary in the early 1990s Ernie has continued on the committee, and has been serving as club president for around five years.
Ernie’s contributions have already been recognised by an award from Wiltshire County Football Association for 50 years of service to Westbury United (1947-1997), and a medal from the England FA for 50 years of service to football in 2003.
Andy Bown of Westbury United said, “Ernie has held many roles in his 80 years at the club and the honour is much deserved for his long service to football in Westbury.”
