The NLP‘s North East correspondent pays tribute to former BBC Non-League reporter Barry Hindson after he passed away over the festive period
Never one to hog the limelight or get in people’s faces, Barry Hindson’s quiet, unassuming manner helped him capture the respect and appreciation of people around the non-league scene and beyond.
He was the consummate professional and went about his business without seeking acclaim or adulation. That should not be considered as painting him as someone that lacked drive. Of all of the many people I have worked alongside during my time in the media, Barry strived more than anyone for high standards and expected those working alongside him to achieve similar levels.
I suspect many of you reading this outside of the North East will not know Barry – but one thing is for certain, those in and around our region will have at least recognised his voice.
For nearly three decades, he provided the soundtrack to many a Saturday afternoon, working alongside former FA Vase winner Paul ‘Dicka’ Dixon on BBC Newcastle’s excellent in-depth coverage of the region’s non-league scene. With Dicka providing an insight as a former player and manager, Barry’s role was played to perfection, with his eloquence and erudite nature shining through the airwaves and into the ears of non-league supporters making their way home from games.
His pride at the North East’s many FA Vase Final successes was clear to see, as he and Dicka revelled in the Wembley sun as the likes of Whitley Bay, Morpeth Town, South Shields and Dunston UTS brought the famous trophy back to the region. His pride and delight was not for himself, but for the players, committee members, managers and volunteers at the clubs he reported on throughout the season.
It seems fitting that his final public interview came in the aftermath of his beloved Heaton Stannington secured promotion into the Northern League’s top tier. Questioned by an audibly delighted club volunteer Brian Pratt, Barry showed all of the qualities that have led to him becoming a much-loved figure and showed enough restraint to warn off hyperbole, yet still allowed his passion and foresight shine through.
His predictions for what would lie ahead for the Stan have unsurprisingly rang true. That is why he was so respected. His opinions were based on knowledge and passion, but without allowing bias to creep in. Never one to get caught up in the hype, his analysis was always measured and that is why his opinion was valued by people from the Premier League to non-league.
It has been a challenging period for us all over the last three years – but Barry has been through more than most. Throughout that time, we have met on a regular basis, with coffees by the fire at the local pub and chats in a local park becoming a highlight of each passing month.
No matter what he was going through personally, his first instinct was to ask how my wife and children were coping, a personal touch that formed the foundation of his professional work. We have been working on a project over the last three years and it is rapidly approaching its conclusions.
Having to finalise that project without Barry at my side is something that scares and saddens me in equal measures. But to see his name alongside my own when it is finally released will offer me more pride that I can ever explain.
My final hope for Barry, and it is something I have expressed to those that worked alongside him, is that he knew how loved and respected he was. The response to his sad passing over Christmas has been overwhelmingly supportive, with talk of many of the qualities I have written in this piece.
The world of football, and the media that report on it in the North East and beyond, are now a far poorer place for his absence.
To Barry, my friend, my colleague and one of the very best people in my life, you will be missed by more people than you probably know.
