In no time at all, he became the new darling of the Kop, forming one of the deadliest attacks in English football history with John Aldridge and Peter Beardsley.
His exploits in Liverpool red – whether as a graceful winger, deadly frontman or deep-lying midfield general – made ‘Digger’ one of the most popular players in LFC history and in 2013 he was ranked number a number seven by supporters in LFC’s 100 Players Who Shook The Kop vote.
John’s glittering career is the subject of a new 22-minute programme airing on LFCTV tonight (and also available worldwide to LFCTV GO subscribers), in which the Liverpool legend reviews his life and times through a series of evocative photographs.
Don’t miss In The Frame: John Barnes, which you can watch from 9pm BST on LFCTV and LFCTV GO.
To find out more about subscribing to either service, click here.