In this edition of Where Are They Now, KickOff catches up with former South African international goalkeeper Jethren Barr.
Who am I?
"My Name is Jethren Barr, from Durban, South Africa. I’m known by many nicknames but mostly as “Inkosi yabelungu."
My Playing Days:
"I got scouted playing in Durban and joined Bidvest Wits academy at 15 years old and lived in their academy with other scouted footballers from around SA. I got promoted by Wits and made my PSL debut at 17 years against Orlando Pirates.
"I was then loaned to Stellenbosch FC and impressed on loan and caught the eye of Fadlu Davids who brought me to Maritzburg United .
"I got an opportunity to then play overseas in Northern Ireland at Portadown FC and took the opportunity with both hands winning player of the Year twice , I then received a call up to play for Bafana Bafana in the 2023 Cosafa Cup.
"After cosafa I signed for Drogheda United FC in Ireland.
"I currently now am working with specialists to return to play from my condition ME/CFS."
Did I make money from football?
"Yes , I made money playing football but for young footballers coming up please be careful with the reality of it. My first contract in the PSL was on R500 a month. My second was R1000 and my 3rd was R6000 . Considering I was a second choice behind a goalkeeper earning R300 000 it is very little. It’s a reality many South African footballers will face when trying to get contracts and make a career of it in the country. I often found myself after a PSL match going to play football for money in Jozi CBD just to make a little extra.
Money wise I earned well when I moved overseas it’s not uncommon to get salaries in overseas countries of R100K plus a month . In my instance the minimum wage in Ireland a footballer could earn is R35K . If only the PSL could protect us with this rule."
Where are you living currently?
"I’m currently still in Ireland working towards recovering from my illness and will return home when I’m recovered. I still have a strong desire to represent a team from my hometown one day as I haven’t had the opportunity to do so yet."
Any other job you've before the current one?
"I have mostly been a footballer , although I have also done some coaching in and around Ireland in schools and academies. It’s my wish to one day be a coach after football God willing."
If you could do it again?
"Looking back so far on the length of my career I am happy with what I have achieved, I think you will always want more but I’m grateful so far for the 15 years or so I’ve had to play this game professionally."
Photo by Rogan Ward/Gallo Images
