Well, if ever there was an opportunity thrown out the window. The subject of my next ‘Where are they now?’, Barry Farrow had the world at his feet when field umpiring on the V.F.L Reserve grade, but made a remarkable career decision. Joining the list in 1963 as a boundary umpire Barry decided to try the field in 1966, and from 1968 until 1970 participated in VFL Under 19 finals every year, even single handedly field umpiring the 1970 Under 19 Grand Final between Richmond and Geelong. Promotion to the senior list beckoned, but instead he chose to leave field umpiring and take on the goal umpiring, and if you want my opinion I feel Barry would have gone on to field umpire Senior VFL Football.
As you will read his career as a goal umpire blossomed and in Barry’s 2nd year in the Reserve Grade 1972 in the goals he was appointed to the VFL Reserves 1st semi-final Melbourne 14.10 d. Hawthorn 8.14. His partner that day was Brian Rennes, with Kevin Smith the field umpire. After officiating in the goals at two U.19 Grand Finals (1973 & 74) then in the 1975 VFL Reserve Grade Grand Final (Geelong 16.18 d. Richmond 11.17), Barry was awarded Life membership of the Reserve Grade for 5 years field and 4 years goal umpiring at the Reserve Grade Annual Meeting. Barry was swiftly promoted to the VFL Senior list for season 1976.
Born on the 5th October 1948 in Melbourne the family lived in Parkdale and Noble Park, where Barry attended Mordialloc Primary School in 1953, then Noble Park Primary in 1957. 1960 saw Barry attend Springvale High School where he would graduate to Monash University in 1966 to become a Secondary School Teacher. A job he held for from 1970 until 1989.
At age 10 Barry was asked by the Noble Park football club—where his brother Glen played—if he would run the boundary for the club. For years he carried out the role in a professional manner, umpiring 208 games; two matches each weekend. Enjoying his role as a boundary umpire Barry applied to the Federal F.L. and ran the boundary in that competition for three years. Over the summer months Barry participated in athletics to keep his fitness up for the football season. 1964 saw Barry apply to the VFL Reserve Grade. He was accepted and ,until 1966, umpired 59 games on the boundary which included 2 Grand Finals. In 1967 Barry decided he would try his hand at field umpiring. Between 1967 and 1970 he officiated 99 VFLRG appointments including 22 finals with 3 Grand Finals. His last Grand Final in the field was the VFL Under 19 game, Richmond vs Geelong. On the precedent set by the past season, the umpire from the Under 19 G.F would be promoted onto the senior list.
Now here is where the twist comes into play as Barry decided to retire from field umpiring and take on the goals. The move stunned most umpires. His first game in the goals was in the Federal Districts F.L. and over the next 5 years he officiated 109 appointments in the U.19 and Reserves competition, including 3 Grand Finals, 2 in the U.19’s (’73 & ’74 and in 1975 the VFL Reserves Grand Final. On that day in 1975 Geelong 16.18 d. Richmond 11.17. Mike Henry was the field umpire and Doug Langham Barry’s partner in goals. His performance earned him promotion to the VFL Senior list for season 1976, training at Caulfield Park.
Barry’s first senior game in the goals was at Collingwood partnered with experience goalie Barry Page. South Melbourne 20.14 d. Collingwood 16.27 with the field umpires John Sutcliffe and Tony Bryant. It did
Farrow checking scores at a break in play.
not take Barry long to establish himself amongst the top umpires. In 1977 his fine form was rewarded with the curtain raiser game to the VFL Grand Final replay. Then, in 1978 after a brilliant performance in the qualifying final, Barry was awarded the Grand Final. Hawthorn 18.13 d. Nth Melb. 15.13 field umpires Bill Deller & Ian Robinson with Kevin Barker his partner in the goals.
Barry had set the bar so high that in 1979 the selection board had no alternative but to appoint Barry for the Grand Final. Carlton 11.16 d. Collingwood 11.11 field umpires Bill Deller & Kevin Smith with Bob Barker his partner in goals on that day. At a game in 1979 one umpire who was a punter told the crew of which Barry was involved he had a good thing so all the umpires put their hand in their pocket and punted on this horse called Over the Ocean. Guess what that’s where it finished up with the crew losing their cash. In 1980 Barry could only manage an elimination final but never lost his determination to be appointed in the last day in September. Barry worked very hard at his craft during 1981 and reaped the rewards, being appointed to the Grand Final. Carlton 12.20 d. Collingwood 10.12, field umpires Mike Dye & Ian Robinson with Jim Mahoney Barry’s partner in goals on the day. 1982 saw Barry officiate at the Night Grand Final where Swans 13.12 d. Nth Melbourne 8.10.
Over the next few years Barry could only manage a final as it appeared his time at the top had come to an end. So, on the 8th September 1985 after his appointment in the qualifying final Barry decided to retire. That game was Hawthorn 22.23 d. Footscray 8.14 with Dick Auhl in partner on the day. Barry had 10 year’s service to look back on with contribution at the highest level and the opportunity to enjoy so many games with so many colleagues. With 174 games and 9 VFL finals, one Interstate (Victoria vs. WA) plus VCFL finals under his belt, Barry had obtained the nickname ‘Iceman’ due to the fact he was cool in a crisis getting the decision correct and did not rely on video replays. Life membership of the VFLUA was presented to him the following year but after a year out of the game Barry was coaxed into goal umpiring with the VAFA and soon made his mark there as in 1988 was appointed to the ‘A’ Grade Grand Final where Ormond 14.18 d. Old Xaverians 8.11.
A position as the Goal Umpiring Coach and Observer with the AFL was advertised so Barry applied winning the position and carrying out the role until 1992 when the AFL nationalised. With his employment as a secondary school teacher Barry found it difficult to apply himself to both professions and resigned from teaching in 1989 to take on the role as Human Resources/Training Consultant Manager with the RACV until 2000. Barry then worked for the Victorian State Library until 2008 and during this time moved over from the AFL to the Southern F.L. to carry on field and goal umpire observing and coaching until 2006. During his time at Southern F.L. Barry became a board member/director in 1998 acting as General Manager during the 2000 season before resigning from the board in 2002.
2008 saw Barry decide it was time that he worked for himself, so he purchased a business with a partner which they operated until 2015 when Barry decided to retire. Since then, he has travelled to many places overseas and visited all states in Australia.
With umpiring still in his blood Barry became an A grade basketball referee for the Dandenong and Melbourne Basketball Associations. He walks whenever he can for fitness but stated that this is decreasing as he gets older, so with his business partner they engage in mental challenges, especially puzzles and travel as much as possible.
I asked Barry what he thought of today’s football. He said it was “a bit disappointing. 4 umpires may be a mistake and the players playing the ball are not sufficiently protected.” However he believes the umpires are trying to do their best in a restrictive environment.
When I sent Barry an email asking if he would be interested in participating in ‘Where are they Now’ his reply was “I am chuffed by your email.’ So you should be Barry for your history as an umpire is nothing but an astonishing one that you should be very proud to publicise. Good luck for the future.
Graeme ‘Wizzer’ Fellows