Bobby Barr promises to shake off bad boy tag

Jan 14 2010 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

BOBBY BARR is determined to prove himself at Livingston after being booted out of his last club and, in a bizarre twist, left stacking shelves in a supermarket over Christmas writes Eric Mackinnon.

Winger Barr was let go by Albion Rovers following a dressing room spat in November.

A blazing half-time row saw him dumped from the club and then released from his job – at a firm where his team gaffer was also the boss.

Albion’s manager Paul Martin jointly owned the roofing company where Barr was employed.

Now Barr has pledged to prove he is no football bad-boy after being handed an 18-month deal by Livingston.

He is determined to let his football do the talking as he promises to return to the form that saw him named Third Division Player of the Year last season.

Barr said: “There was an exchange of words at half time down in Berwick which escalated.

“I didn’t agree with what was being said and I was made the scapegoat and had to carry the blame for what happened.

“But all the boys in the dressing room know what happened, as I do, and all I want to do now is play football again.

“Rovers have said what they have said and I’m glad to be away from there now.

“I worked for the manager as well, so it cost me my job and the football.

“So I had to work in Tesco on nightshift over Christmas just to get some money in.

“It wasn’t great, but it has turned out for the best now and I’m delighted to have signed for Livingston and I hope I can do well here.”

After leaving Rovers, the 21-year-old spent a short spell with Brechin City in the Second Division where he impressed enough to be offered a long-term deal.

But he admits he was praying for a return to full-time football and Livi boss Gary Bollan became a saviour when he offered Barr a deal tying him to the club until the end of next season.

Barr continued: “I played three games for Brechin and did well there and they were keen to sign me, but I was desperate to get back to full-time football and I felt it would be more beneficial to me so when Livingston came in I was delighted.

“My aim was always to get back to full-time football after I did well last season for Rovers and I managed to win a few awards.

“Livingston are a First Division club and they have good players and superb facilities.

“Hopefully we can keep going and go on and win the league and get up to the Second Division.

“I feel we have enough to win the league but East Stirling will be tough challengers I feel in the title race.

“I played in this division last year and having trained with all the guys here, and I don’t see why we can’t go on and win it.”

As fate would have it, Barr could make his Lions debut at the home of his former paymasters this weekend if Livi’s trip to Albion Rovers beats the weather.

The West Lothian club will be hoping it’s a case of third time lucky for them, having already lost twice at Cliftonhill this season.

Barr played in both matches and insists he is fit and raring to go if he is given the nod.

He added: “The boys have helped me settle in well and have been great with me.

“No-one has mentioned that I played against them in two defeats earlier this season.

“I feel fresh and sharp and I’m ready to go if the gaffer needs me.

“It would be nice to play on Saturday and go back to Cliftonhill but I’ll try and keep calm and focus on getting the three points in the bag.

“I always got on well with the fans but I don’t know if they will take me.

“It all depends on how they have perceived the situation.”