FC Barcelona are the pride of Catalan and also one of the biggest, most popular clubs in Spain. The Spanish giants are historically one of the most dominant clubs on the European continent.
Due to their rich pedigree, the Catalans have been able to attract, over the years, tremendously gifted world-class talent who have thrilled football fans for many seasons. Players from across the globe have made their home in Nou Camp, but today we will be looking at players from England who have worn the famous blue and clarinet striped Barca jersey. Here are the top five English players who played for Barcelona.
1. Gary Lineker
The retired England striker is the only English man to have played for Barcelona in the modern era. Lineker was on the books of the Spanish side between 1986-89. The 1986 FIFA Golden Boot winner played a total of 137 matches for the Catalan side, finding the back of the net 52.
During his successful stint at Camp Nou, Gary won the Copa del Rey (1987/88) and European Cup Winners’ Cup (1988/89), now Europa League. Since his retirement from football, he has successfully ventured into the world of broadcasting and is a well-known pundit analyzing domestic and international tournaments on TV.
2. Arthur Witty
Arthur Witty was the son of a British entrepreneur, who settled in Barcelona in the late 1800s. The Englishman was one of the founding members of the Catalan club. Witty was part of the FC Barcelona team that won its first ever trophy, the Copa Macaya in 1902. That same year, when Barcelona were invited to enter the first ever Copa del Rey, Witty was among the side that lost 2–1 to Club Vizcaya in the final. He also helped the club win the Copa Barcelona in 1903.
He played for Barca from 1899 to 1905, racking up a total of 74 games, and was deployed as a full-back for them. He also served as the Barcelona president.
3. Harold Stamper
Little is known of this English-born midfielder who was part of the Great Britain football team that won the gold medal at the Stockholm Olympics in 1912. Harold was said to have played for Barcelona sometime in the early 1920s, but nothing is recorded on how he fared at the Spanish club.
4. Jack Alderson
Alderson was a professional goalkeeper who featured briefly for Barcelona in the early decades of the 20th Century. Jack was thought to have signed for the Catalans on December 1st, 1912. He went on to play for other clubs like Newcastle United and Crystal Palace.
5. Percy Wallace
He was another player who wore the famous Barcelona jersey in the 1910s. Not much is recorded in the way of performance stats, but Wallace is believed to have played for them intermittently over six seasons between 1909-15. The forward also played for another Spanish club Espanyol during his career.
6. Charles Wallace
The older brother of Percy also played some years with Barcelona. The striker joined the Catalans in July of 1907. Charles featured for Barca off and on until his retirement in 1914. Wallace also played for other Spanish clubs like Catala SC and Espanyol.
7. Henry Morris
Henry Morris is the brother Samuel, and step-brother of Junior, both of whom also played for Barcelona. Henry was born in the Philippines to an English father and a Basque mother. He was among the first footballers in Barcelona. Henry was also an Airman in the British Army and fought in the First World War. The attacker never played any official matches.
8. Samuel Morris
Samuel Morris was a goalkeeper who played for Barcelona in the early days of the club. He is brother of Henry Morris, and he never participated in any official matches for Barcelona.
9. Junior Morris
The Englishman is the step-brother of Samuel and Henry Morris. He did not play official matches for the club.
