Aberdeen Football Club Heritage Trust

Francis or Frank Barrett, who was the Dons first choice goalkeeper throughout the club's first season, 1903-04, had previously played for Arbroath. He started his career with Harp (Dundee) before joining Dundee FC on their formation in 1893. He was a regular in the Dundee team between 1893 and 1896 and during that spell he was twice capped by Scotland. He then moved to join the large Scottish colony at Newton Heath (later to become Manchester United) for whom he played 118 games (1896-1900). From there he moved to New Brighton Tower but in 1901 he returned to Scotland and joined Arbroath. He played just four games for the Red Lichties at the start of the 1901-1902 season before moving on again, to Manchester City. After five appearances for City he once more headed back to Scotland. He joined Aberdeen for the 1903-04 season and was still on the books at Pittodrie in 1904-05 although he played only once that season, being kept out of the team by the excellent form of Rab Macfarlane. Barrett was a mainstay of the Aberdeen A team and played for them regularly until he took ill.

Frank retired from Aberdeen FC at the end of the 1905-06 season through ill health. His health being such that he was unable to work, a Frank Barrett Benefit Fund was set up. Aberdeen played a Wednesday League side in a benefit match in October 1906 and raised the sum of £20 for the fund, this came two months after the A team had also played a benefit for him against Park Vale. Newton Heath also contributed £35, a substantial sum in those days. Unfortunately Frank's health did not improve and on the 22nd March 1907 in Dundee he passed away - the cause of his death is not currently known.

Death of Frank Barret.

To those who saw him lately it came as no surprise to learn that Frank Barret had passed away on Sunday. Barret was a clever custodian in his day, and even to the last he played many clever games. He had seen service in England with Newton Heath, but his health was never of a robust nature, and he was glad to come back to Dundee, where he loved to reside, and where he died as stated. Last year Dundee and Aberdeen, by subscriptions and benefit matches, raised a goodly sum which enabled the sufferer to prolong life for a time, and we have no doubt something will be done again to assist his widow and young family.

Source: Bon-Accord, 22nd August 1907