Paul Barber (field hockey)

Paul Jason Barber (born May 21, 1955 in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire) is a former field hockey player, who won the gold medal with the British squad at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Four years earlier, at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, he secured the bronze medal with the team.

When England won the silver medal in the 1986 Hockey World Cup at Willesden, Barber scored the two goals in the semi-final that helped England defeat West Germany 2-1 having been 1-0 down until the closing minutes.

In a career that spanned over 25 Years, Barber won 99 caps for England & 68 for Great Britain as well as being named vice-captain of the Great Britain squad in Seoul. A player of uncompromising physicality and determination, he was recognised as one of the finest defenders and short corner strikers in the world.

Following the 1988 tournament, in which he scored 5 goals, Barber retired from international hockey at all levels, and continued to play for Slough until the early 90's when he joined Newbury Hockey Club. He played on for several more years until retiring from all forms of hockey in 1998.

He now resides in Bath, England, with his wife and three sons.

References

* [http://www.databaseolympics.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=BARBEPAU01 profile]
* [http://www.olympics.org.uk/athleterecord.aspx?at=369 British Olympic Committee]
* [http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ba/paul-barber-1.html sports-reference]