Full name Barry Edward Thornley 1964–1965 Gravesend & Northfleet Years Team | Name Barry Thornley | |
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Date of birth (1948-02-11) 11 February 1948 (age 67) | ||
Playing position Place of birth Gravesend, England | ||
Barry Edward Thornley (born 11 February 1948) is an English retired professional footballer who played as aWinger and full back in the Football League for Brentford and Oxford United and later dropped into non-league football, making over 200 appearances in a four-year spell with Chelmsford City.
Contents
- Gravesend Northfleet
- Brentford
- Oxford United
- Chelmsford City
- Ramsgate loan
- Dover
- Margate
- Personal life
- As a player
- As an individual
- References
Gravesend & Northfleet
A left winger, Thornley began his career at hometown Southern League Division One club Gravesend & Northfleet. He made 18 appearances and scored three goals during the 1964–65 season, before departing in October 1965.
Brentford
In October 1965, Thornley moved to the Football League to sign for Division Three strugglers Brentford. He initially played for the reserve team and was the first substitute to be utilised for the side, replacing Phil Basey in a Combination Cup tie against Bristol City that month. He managed just seven first team appearances for the financially stricken club and was released in 1967. Thornley had failed to make a first team appearance at all during the 1966–67 season and instead played for the reserves, experiencing some joy by winning the London Challenge Cup with the side.
Oxford United
Thornley joined Division Three side Oxford United in the middle of 1967. He made something of a breakthrough into the first team, making 19 appearances and scoring three goals and picking up more silverware, with the Us securing promotion to Division Two by winning the Division Three title. Playing in the second-tier for the first time, Thornley made just four appearances in the 1968–69 season and departed the club at the end of the campaign. Thornley made 26 appearances and scored four goals during his time at the Manor Ground.
Chelmsford City
Thornley dropped into non-league football in 1969 and signed for Southern League Premier Division side Chelmsford City. He had a good first season, making 39 appearances, scoring seven goals and winning the club's Player of the Year award, in addition to the Essex Professional Cup. Thornley made 35 league appearances and scored three goals during the 1970–71 season and won another Essex Professional Cup. He finally tasted league title success in the 1971–72 season, though the Clarets would be denied election to the Football League. Thornley played on until the end of the 1972–73 season, making only 20 appearances, but winning the Essex Professional Floodlight Cup. He departed the New Writtle Street Stadium having made 212 appearances and scored 31 goals in his four years with Chelmsford.
Ramsgate (loan)
Thornley joined Southern League Premier Division side Ramsgate on loan towards the end of the 1972–73 season and made eight appearances without scoring.
Dover
Thornley signed for Southern League Premier Division side Dover in the middle of 1973 in a £1,000 deal. He scored 13 goals in his two seasons with the club.
Margate
Thornley joined Southern League Premier Division side Margate in the middle of 1975. Despite the team's indifferent form in the league, he had a good first season playing at left back, making 61 appearances, scoring two goals and winning the Kent Floodlight Trophy. The Gate had a disastrous 1976–77 season, culminating in relegation to the Southern League Division One South. Thornley elected to retire in the middle of 1977.
Personal life
In later life, Thornley worked for Liverpool Victoria.
As a player
Brentford
Oxford United
Chelmsford City
Margate