Patrick Barclay, the former chair of the Football Writers’ Association and an SJA Sports Writer of the Year Award winner, has died at the age of 77; SJA President Darren Lewis and Barclay’s successor as FWA chair, Carrie Brown, among those paying tribute to one of the industry’s best-loved journalists and broadcasters…
Tributes are being paid to Patrick Barclay from across the media industry and the sports world following the announcement of his death at the age of 77.
Barclay spent more than four decades working in sports journalism and has been described as “one of the greatest sports writers of his or any other generation” by SJA President Darren Lewis.
News of his passing was conveyed by the Football Writers’ Association, of which Barclay was chair from 2016 to 2019.
A MESSAGE FROM THE FAMILY OF PATRICK BARCLAY
— The Football Writers' Association (@theofficialfwa) February 14, 2025
"It is with the greatest sadness that we must announce the death of our dear Patrick Barclay.
A celebration of Patrick’s life will be held at a later date.
Meanwhile, we hope that the family’s wish for privacy is respected." Full… pic.twitter.com/VxAp9W53DS
He was the winner of the prestigious SJA Sports Writer of the Year Award at the 1993 SJA British Sports Journalism Awards.
Born in London, he moved to Dundee at the age of four and after attending his first Dundee FC game in 1956, he became a lifelong supporter of the club.
He entered the journalism industry in the 1970s as a sub-editor with The Guardian in Manchester, before instinct and good timing helped to take him in a different career direction.
“I noticed that two of my friends who were football reporters at that time had opted to take redundancy,” he said in 2020, speaking to Derby University’s football journalism course website.
“So I asked the Guardian, “won’t you need someone to write about football?” and after asking if I had any experience, they half-heartedly agreed.
“It’s no use to anyone trying to get a similar job now because it’s a ridiculous fairy story – I couldn’t even type!”
Barclay was The Independent’s first football correspondent when the paper launched in 1986. Five years later, he joined The Observer, winning the SJA’s top honour in 1993.
A 12-year stint followed with The Sunday Telegraph until 2009, when he moved to The Times as Chief Football Commentator, and on to the London Evening Standard.
He was a familiar face to viewers of Sky Sports for many years as a regular on the network’s “Sunday Supplement” show.
His books include “Mourinho: Anatomy of a Winner”, which was updated and republished following the return of ‘The Special One’ to Chelsea for a second stint in charge. He also wrote acclaimed biographies of Herbert Chapman, Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Matt Busby.
Gutted to hear about Paddy Barclay passing away. Sat with him last month. He was a huge supporter of UWS – it was his idea that Keith Dewhurst write for us.
— Andy Mitten (@AndyMitten) February 14, 2025
Did several long trips with Paddy. Superb company. A proud Scot but lived in Manchester for a while and loved the city. RIP pic.twitter.com/aOoOKki3Ds
He covered nine World Cups, 10 European Championships and four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments before retiring from regular sports journalism after Euro 2016 in France.
Paying tribute, the SJA’s Darren Lewis said: “Patrick is one of the greatest sports writers of his or any other generation.
“He was a reference point for some of the significant moments in post-war football history and could be relied on, in an era of increasing recency bias, to provide foot-on-the-ball context and analysis.
“To suggest Paddy was hugely respected and warmly regarded is an understatement, by some way.
“He was an inspiration to younger journalists – including myself – to whom he was always welcoming and for whom he always had words of encouragement.
“He will be massively missed. Our thoughts are with his loved ones.”
Tributes to Paddy Barclay by those who knew him well. https://t.co/uz32GheFHN
— The Football Writers' Association (@theofficialfwa) February 14, 2025
SJA committee member Carrie Brown, who succeeded Barclay as FWA Chair, wrote on X: “My life in football changed the day I met Paddy Barclay, a force of nature whose passion for the game leapt off the page and ran deep in his heart.
“A mentor to many, our brilliant FWA Chair cared deeply for the future of our industry, creating our student membership to address a shortfall in young, diverse writers.
“We have lost one of our greatest champions. My thoughts are now with Paddy’s family and his endless community of friends. Heartbroken with you all.”
Further tributes to Paddy Barclay will follow on the SJA website – we welcome your contributions.
Further reading…
Patrick Barclay’s immense talent shone through on the page and on screen, recalls Patrick Collins
Tributes to Paddy Barclay RIP (Football Writers’ Association)
Patrick Barclay, talented and respected football journalist, dies aged 77 (Sachin Nakrani, The Guardian)
Tributes pour in after beloved journalist Patrick Barclay dies: ‘A wonderful football writer’ (Jack Rathborn, The Independent)
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