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Barry Silkman (born 29 June 1952) is a football agent and former player, who played as a midfielder for 11 different clubs. He was at Manchester City in 1979 and at Leyton Orient from 1981 to 1985. He he made 340 professional appearances, and scored 31 goals. In the 1990s he became an agent.
Barry Silkman played for Plymouth Argyle. It was then that Malcolm Allison first noticed him. He deemed Silkman a suitable player to bolster Manchester City’s midfield as they struggled in the First Division.
In 2013, The Metro listed Silkman as the tenth most influential agent in football. He has represented many players, including Jaap Stam, Patrik Berger, Mark Schwarzer, and Yakubu. Recently, he has represented West Ham’s Tomas Soucek.
One suspects ‘Silks’ has a thousand other stories to tell about his life and times in football. This does not even mention his business partnership with David Gest.
Barry Silkman boasts an impressive playing career which lasted 16 years, playing for 11 different clubs including Manchester City. A gifted and skilful player, he always felt he had an eye for spotting talent. A friend was without a club. Silks brokered him a two-year contract. Many others soon began calling him. His life as a football agent began.
The Legacy of Barry Silkman in Football and Beyond. Read our story on "Silks" as he has a super story to tell. Never miss out on our "Stories", https://t.co/S6Xsufm3yp more on football #mancity #leytonorient #crystalpalace #plymouthargyle #soccer pic.twitter.com/4RcS16HNrO
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Barry Silkman used to give advice to his managers, especially Terry Venables and Malcolm Allison. Two men who both liked his style and play, signing him twice. Allison bringing him to Plymouth and Man City, Venables being his manager at Crystal Palace and Queens Park Rangers. Silkman said, “I’ve always been able to spot a really good player. Many people might say the same. However, seeing something in a player and what they are capable of is something I’ve always prided myself on.”
Silky’s talents transferred across to the showbiz industry where he organised artists and tours in a fascinating post-playing career. He worked with Mickie Most, David Gest, and Rod Stewart. He also collaborated with Kim Wilde, Phil Collins, and Dionne Warwick.
In his Autobiography, “The Not So Secret Football Agent” provides a good insight into his incredible story. It covers his career from player to agent. The book includes colourful anecdotes of all the characters he encountered along the way.
Silkman was born in Whitechapel in East London, and brought up in the East End of London. He is Jewish, and said in 2013: “I was brought up Jewish and I’m Jewish through and through.” He is one of very few English born Jewish footballers to have played in the top flight.
Silkman has been involved in greyhound training and greyhound racing. His dogs Half Awake, Skomal, and Carlsberg Champ achieved notable victories. Half Awake won the 1987 Gold Collar (Catford). Skomal won the 1988 Guineas (Hackney). Carlsberg Champ won the 1990 Cesarewitch (Belle Vue). He is also involved in horse racing and has been a presenter on Racing Post Greyhound TV.
In 2021 Barry Silkman were in the headlines regarding a court case. His former wife had died of cancer. She left all her worldly goods to their actress daughter Keenia Silkman. However, no share of the house her mother lived in was included. It was bought in the new husband’s sole name.
This led to a bitter battle at Central London County Court. Mr. Silkman, as administrator of Ms. Fuller’s estate, sued his former friend for a share. He claimed it belonged to his ex-wife and so should go to their daughter under her will.
Barry Silkman won the case. A judge ruled that his doughter, Keenia ‘should not be kept out of her inheritance’.
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