Sky Sports have now reported that former England midfielder Gareth Barry has chosen to enact the 12 month contract extension he held on his existing deal with West Bromwich Albion.
Gareth Barry has exercised the one-year extension to his #wba contract and reported for pre-season today https://t.co/9PyNDpkccD
— Matt Wilson (@mattianwilson) June 25, 2018
Having arrived from Everton last summer for a reported undisclosed fee, albeit a suggested nominal £1million given he’s now 37-years-old, he went on to make 25 appearances (three substitute showings) in the Premier League as we suffered relegation, with four more starts in the domestic cup competitions.
With the Baggies now set for life in the Championship after a largely insipid campaign prior to the appointment of Darren Moore and the return of some fight and spirit to the group, the standout headline from Barry’s contribution was the ill-fated taxi-gate routine over in Spain and his involvement in that.
It remains at the forefront of many fans’ minds, even if it’s not the only reason some are unhappy with this.
With the appearances he made last year though, he had the option to extend his time at The Hawthorns for another 12 months and that’s what he’s chosen to do.
Why do people automatically think that it’s down to the taxi incident??? He was shocking last season, and have you forgotten the sarcastic applause to the brummy rd when he was substituted for being awful.
— Damien Conway (@DamoWBA) June 25, 2018
Oh dear
— elaine barlow (@wolrabeniale) June 25, 2018
I think it’s more to do with the attitude that followed that incident. Livermore ran himself into the ground most weeks. Barry simply didn’t care. He strolled round with no effort at all. The only reason he’s activated this clause is so he gets paid for another year of good money
— John Askill (@JohnAskill) June 25, 2018
Might be useful next season. Lets hope he feels that he has a point to prove
— John Francis (@JohnFrancisBC) June 25, 2018
If he knuckles down and does the job then fine. If he carries on where he left off last season (nicking taxis and clubbing before match day wether playing or not ) then he can do one. We need players prepared to put in 110%
— Nicola Chesterton (@NicolaChes) June 25, 2018
Yup spot on. The fans will never forgive him his transgressions so he might as well do one. He's persona non grata
— Linda Seeley (@lindawba) June 25, 2018
I hope he proves the haters wrong he has been made a scapegoat by our fans when he was the least culpable as he wasn't in the taxi when it went missing as for others 2 have gone and the driver is still with us !
— lessons learnt my garden shed (@theconemaster) June 25, 2018
