Balmain Tigers mourn the death of club legend Keith Barnes, nicknamed ‘Golden Boots’

Considered among the finest rugby league stars of the 20th century, Keith Barnes has been remembered as Balmain’s greatest player. Read the glowing tributes.

The greatest Tiger of them all.

That’s how legendary Balmain fullback Keith Barnes is being remembered after he died on Sunday night, aged 89.

Considered among the finest players of the 20th century, Barnes was famously nicknamed Golden Boots for his accurate goal kicking, having once kicked 11 goals in a first grade match.

Barnes played 194 games for Balmain between 1955 and 1968, competing in three NSWRL grand finals, while scoring 1519 points through 742 goals, 11 tries and a field goal.

“He is the greatest Tiger of them all. He has to be. It’s very sad,” Balmain champion Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach said.

The legendare Keith Barnes has died.

“They also called him Tin Legs. They reckon he was that unbelievably tough he’d be strapped up before a game like a trotter and away he’d go.”

Among his remarkable achievements, locals still talk about the memorable day Barnes broke a 15-all deadlock against the giant St George side at Leichhardt Oval in 1960.

“Balmain fullback Keith ‘Golden Boots’ Barnes kicked one of the game’s greatest goals in a club match against St George at Leichhardt Oval. From a penalty, Barnes lined up the kick, six metres inside his own half and out wide,” a media report from the time said.

Keith Barnes with 1989 Balmain players (from left) Russell Gartner, Steve Roach, Wayne Pearce and Paul Sironen.

“Saints captain Ken Kearney replaced himself on the mark with giant second-rower Norm Provan. Barnes moved back a further three metres and landed the goal with ease.”

Historian David Middleton added: “Barnes’ kick in 1960 helped cement his legend as ‘Golden Boots’ and as one of the most accomplished goalkickers of all time.

“He didn’t have the many benefits that today’s kickers enjoy; the pristine playing surfaces, molded kicking tees, synthetic footballs and so many others, he was an old school toe-poker and Tigers’ fans of his era reckoned he was the best they’d ever seen.”

In 2009, Barnes had a grandstand named after him at his beloved Leichhardt Oval.

Barnes played 17 Tests – captaining Australia 12 times — and featured in the 1957 and 1960 World Cups along with the 1959 Kangaroo tour. He captained Australia in all six Tests on the ‘59 tour and kicked 101 goals.

He represented NSW in 11 interstate games and received an Order of Australia for service to rugby league as a player and administrator. Barnes later became the Balmain football club chief executive and Leagues Club secretary-manager, while being tour manager of the 1990 Kangaroos.

Barnes played 194 games for Balmain Picture: Melanie Russell

“Keith was like a father figure to us,” Roach said.

“He was the glue that kept all the Tigers together. We had about eight internationals in that side (during the 1980s). The greatest thing about Keith was he was exactly the same to everyone.

“He was the first official to really look after the wives and children of players. He set up a crèche. He wanted to make sure the families were okay.”

When Balmain marketing manager, former champion hooker Ben Elias worked in an office adjacent to Barnes for 14 years.

“Keith did everything. The first half of the day he worked for the Leagues Club and the second half he worked for the football club,” Elias said.

“The club kept all those great players – Wayne Pearce, Steve Roach, Paul Sironen, myself, Tim Brasher, Garry Jack – because of Keith. We all got offered better money to go elsewhere but the one reason we stayed was Keith Barnes. He created a family atmosphere.

“Everyone will remember him for being a legendary goal kicker — Golden Boots was his nickname and Golden Boots he was. He could kick goals from everywhere and Leichhardt Oval was his backyard.

“He was a rugby league giant. If you can find me an individual in this world that did not like Keith Barnes then you can blow me over. Honestly, he was nature’s gentleman. He was like my second father, he was the man.”

In one season, Barnes was Balmain captain-coach and was also a co-commentator for rugby league games on Channel Ten.

Fans fill the Keith Barnes Stand at Leichhardt Oval. Picture: Tom Parrish

“Keith was one of the greatest fullbacks the game has seen. A wonderful goalkicker and prolific pointscorer, he was slight in stature but built with extraordinary courage,” Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys said.

Sironen posted on social media, saying: “Rest easy, Keith ‘Golden Boots’ Barnes. A Tigers great and true gentleman.”

Born in Wales, Barnes and his family moved to Wollongong in 1948. He only played for one NSWRL club, Balmain.

Balmain paid tribute on their social media platforms, saying: “It is with profound sadness that the Balmain Tigers Rugby League Football Club acknowledge the passing of the great Keith ‘Golden Boots”’ Barnes. His career is integral not only to the Balmain Tigers but to the Australian Rugby League and the game.”

Originally published as Balmain Tigers mourn the death of club legend Keith Barnes, nicknamed ‘Golden Boots’