A fond farewell to a former player
Chairman Andrew Jenkins attended the funeral of former-Blue Barry Brayton on Thursday morning and shared some fond memories of a local lad who forged a solid career with his home town club.
"It was wonderful to see so many people there and to remember Barry for the good person he was," he said. "We all had a lot of fond memories to share and there's no doubt he will be missed.
"It was a very respectful service and I was proud to be able to represent the club, and to pass on our condolences to his family and close friends."
Barry Brayton (1938 – 2015) by David Steele
Barry Brayton, who has died at the age of 76, was a regular member of the Carlisle United side from his debut in late 1959 through until 1966. It was a period during which United twice won promotion from the Fourth Division before clinching the Third Division title in 1965. With 20 appearances that season, Barry earned a championship medal. Four years earlier, his late goal in the final game of the 1961/62 campaign secured not just a 2-0 win over Chester but promotion to Division Three for the first time in the club’s history.
Born in Carlisle in September 1938, Barry Brayton first pursued a career in local government before signing part time forms at Brunton Park while Andy Beattie was the manager. He later became a full timer during Alan Ashman’s time as United boss. Following national service in the RAF, he made his league debut for the Blues at Crystal Palace on 19 December 1959, his first goal coming at Darlington four months later.
The following season he featured on the right wing in 33 league games. His preferred position, though, was at inside forward but by the end of his time at Brunton Park he could claim to have filled all five forward positions for the club. He was a fine ball player who, like many of that era, was influenced by the footballing philosophy of coach Dick Young.
Despite that Third Division championship medal, his time at Brunton Park was coming to an end by the time the Blues began life in Division Two. His final league appearance for United came on 18 November 1966 at home to Northampton. In all, he made 159 league appearances in a Carlisle shirt, scoring 43 goals in the process.
In February 1967, he moved down the road to Workington who were still in the Third Division although they were relegated at the end of that season. He remained there until the end of the following campaign, in all making 43 league appearances for the Reds and scoring 8 goals including a hat-trick, the only one of his career.
After leaving Borough Park, Barry played for a while at Netherfield. Meanwhile, after a spell in insurance, he took over the Botcherby post office in 1970 where he stayed until he retired. He leaves a wife, three children six grandchildren and one great grand daughter.
