Keith Barnes: Death of Hall of Fame football icon known as ‘Golden Boots’ leaves NRL in mourning

Rugby league is mourning the loss of one of its true greats with the news that Keith Barnes has died aged 89.

Nicknamed ‘Golden Boots’ due to his extraordinary kicking skills, the Tigers legend played 194 games during a 13-year career with Balmain from 1955 to 1968, scoring an incredible 742 goals, including 11 in a single match.

Barnes, who was born in Wales and came to Australia aged 15, also made 12 appearances for NSW and 17 appearances for the Kangaroos national team.

He fulfilled a variety of high-profile roles in the game after retiring as a player, becoming a television commentator, chief executive of Balmain and managing the Kangaroos’ 1990 tour of Britain and France.

Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V’landys paid tribute to the all-time great following his death at Sydney’s Prince of Wales Hospital.

“Keith was one of the best full-backs the sport has ever seen,” V’landys said Monday.

‘A wonderful goal scorer and prolific point scorer, he was short in stature but with extraordinary courage.

‘Stories about Keith’s skills, but also more importantly his leadership, are renowned throughout the game as he captained the Kangaroos in 14 Test matches.

Born in Wales, Barnes (pictured in 2015) captained Australia 14 times, played in three grand finals and became a commentator and administrator.

‘Keith’s legend continued long after his playing career. He was instrumental in guiding many of football’s great players, especially through his long association with Balmain.”

Barnes was inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame in 2007 and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1996 in recognition of his “service to rugby league as a player and administrator”.

He received the Australian Sports Medal in 2000 and a stand named after him at Balmain’s famous stadium, Leichhardt Oval, in 2009.