Welcome John Barnes!
- Liverpoolfestivalen
- 1 hour ago
- 4 min read
When the 2026 Liverpool Festival kicks off in Gjøvik, one of the greatest icons in the club's history will be on the bill. John Barnes is ready!
Hunted him for more than five years
For over five years we have been chasing John Barnes' signature and we finally got it. He has been the most requested legend ever since we started planning the Liverpool Festival back in 2020, sending out surveys to supporters across the country about who they would most like to meet. Now we are patting ourselves on the chest, breathing a sigh of relief and rejoicing like only a five-year-old can.
For those who grew up with Liverpool in the late 80s and early 90s, the name John Barnes is synonymous with elegance, power and technical brilliance. Arriving from Watford in 1987, he quickly became the epitome of Kenny Dalglish's fantastic team machine. With his signature runs down the left wing and an ability to dribble past opponents as if they were roundhouse kicks, he was voted England's Player of the Year in both 1988 and 1990.
After a serious Achilles injury in the summer of 1992, he lost his explosive pace. He reinvented himself as a central, deep-lying midfielder. With his experience and incredible understanding of the game, he became not only captain, but also a mentor to younger players such as Robbie Fowler and Jamie Redknapp.
More than just a football player
John Barnes is not only one of the most talented footballers in British history, he is also one of the most reflective and fearless voices in the debate about racism. When Barnes stepped into top-flight football, he experienced both racist chants and bananas being thrown onto the pitch. An iconic image from a match against Everton shows Barnes calmly kicking away a banana that had been thrown onto the pitch. He has never given up on the fight against racism and in 2021 he published the book The Uncomfortable Truth about Racism.
Barnes is also an entertainer and many will remember the iconic "World in Motion" rap for the England national team. There's a good chance we'll get a little re-run of it during the festival, with an enthusiastic legend behind the mic. This guy has always had a charisma and commitment that extends far beyond the chalk lines.
John will be present throughout the festival and is looking forward to meeting the supporters and sharing great stories from an eventful career.
Impressive career in red!
Here is a breakdown of John Barnes' impressive career in numbers, showing why he is considered one of the greatest legends in Liverpool history:
Barnes was a key player in the Liverpool team for a decade. Here are his statistics for the club:
Total matches: 407
Total goals: 108
League appearances: 314 (84 goals)
Highest scoring season: 1989/90 with 22 league goals (total 28 goals in all competitions).
He helped fill up the trophy cabinet at Anfield
League champion: 1987/88, 1989/90
FA Cup winner: 1989, 1992
League Cup winner: 1995
Charity Shield: 1988, 1989, 1990
In his absolute heyday, Barnes was recognized as England's best player by both colleagues and the press:
FWA Footballer of the Year: 1988 and 1990 (voted by football journalists).
PFA Players' Player of the Year: 1988 (voted by the players themselves).
Barnes was also a key player for the England national team for over a decade:
International caps: 79
Goals: 11
Championships: Participated in the 1986 World Cup (quarter-finals), the 1988 European Championship and the 1990 World Cup (semi-finals).
Highlight: His legendary solo goal against Brazil at the Maracanã in 1984 is still considered one of the greatest goals in England's history.
These are ready for the Liverpool Festival
In 2026, several who have been with us before will return, they have been an important part of the stones we have built, layer by layer, to get to the point where we can celebrate five years as a festival next year. They must be able to join the celebration. Here are those who are ready at the time of writing:
Legends: John Barnes, Jan Mølby, Gary McAllister, David Fairclough and Sammy Lee Read about all
Music: The Ragamuffins, Andy Hodgson, Det Betales, Harry Fazakerley, Alek, The LFC Jam Band, Gill`s Wreckin Ball, Rasmus H Dugstad and Rune Bakkelund Read about all
Guests: Dan Clubbe, Lee Rogan and Trickster Read about all
Where can you stay?
This year too, you can choose your accommodation according to the comfort you want and of course what suits your wallet. All the accommodation we collaborate with are within comfortable walking distance of the festival area. We also operate our own RV park, which is already almost fully booked. Here you will find an overview of the places you can stay!
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