Tributes paid after death of ex-Doncaster Rovers star dubbed a 'legend'

Tributes have been paid to a former Doncaster Rovers star following his death at the age of 84.

Barry Swallow, who played for the club as a defender in the 1960s, passed away peacefully on October 20, an obituary said.

Born in Arksey in 1942, Swallow started his career as a junior with Rovers and later played for Crewe Alexandaa, Barnsley, Bradford City and York CIty.

He scored ten goals in 51 appearances between 1960 and 1962, after turning professional in the summer of 1959.

An obituary described him as “the devoted husband of Elizabeth for 56 years, much-loved dad of James and Jenifer, and proud grandad.”

After Rovers, he moved to Crewe, playing for the club in their promotion season of 1962-63.

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From there, he moved to Barnsley in July 1964 and then onto Bradford City for £3,000 in February 1967 and was part of the side which gained promotion in the 1968-69 season.

But it was his final club where he made the biggest impact of his career.

He signed for York City for £3,000 in October 1969 and helped the club gain promotion in both the 1970-71 and 1973-74 seasons, captaining the club after they made it to the Second Division.

He made a total of 312 appearances for the club, scoring 21 goals.

He became a director of York City in 1981 and twice served as caretaker manager.

The obituary added: “As captain, he led City to two promotions – out of the Fourth Division in 1971, and into the Second Division for the first time in the club’s history in 1974.

“He later served the club as a director from 1981 and twice stepped in as caretaker manager.

“Away from football, Barry and Elizabeth welcomed so many as landlords of the Rose and Crown at Askham Richard, and ran the Clifton Bridge Hotel in York for 15 years.

“Footballer, publican, friend, gentleman – and to many, a legend.

“He will be so sorely missed. Thank you, Barry, for a life lived so generously.”

A funeral service will be held at York Crematorium on Friday 13 November at 11.40am, followed by a celebration of his life at the York Marriott Hotel, Tadcaster Road.