Despite his high-profile support for Liverpool F.C. I feel I
must include Brian Barwick in this work as he is, like me, and old boy of
Quarry Bank High School.
He was born in Liverpool in 1954, the son of John Leonard
Barwick. His mother’s maiden name was Jean Metcalfe, a name with a famous ring
for someone who was to spend his life in broadcasting. After attending Rudston
Road primary school he joined Quarry Bank in 1965, during his time there he was
to play in school football teams alongside Steve Coppell. After gaining a
degree in economics at Liverpool University he worked for a while as a journalist
before joining the BBC Sports Department in 1979.
His subsequent roles included producer of Football Focus,
editor of Match of the Day, senior editor for BBC’s coverage of the
1990 and 1994 World Cups before becoming Head of Sport in 1995. Moving to ITV
in 1998 as controller of sports he enjoyed notable successes such as gaining
the broadcasting rights for the 2003 Rugby World Cup and a long list of other
prestigious sporting events. He left the world of broadcasting in 2004 to
become the Chief Executive of the Football Association, a post held until 2008.
Subsequent posts included Chairman of the Rugby League and chairman of football’s
National League. He was awarded the OBE in the 2021 New Year’s Honours.
Barwick’s family home in Liverpool was at 15 Eastham Close,
Childwall L16.
