As the 2024/25 FA Women’s National League season comes to a close this weekend, Rugby Borough WFC and Hull City Ladies FC face off in their final game. For one Rugby Borough player, the match carries a much deeper significance, tied to the roots of a family legacy.
This Sunday, 24-year-old fullback Kelis Barton will create a heartwarming full-circle moment as she takes to the field for Rugby Borough WFC, just miles from Barton Upon Humber, the very place where her grandfather, Frank Barton, first laced his boots and began his footballing journey. Kelis’ deep connection and passion to the game was inspired by her grandfather, whose career started in England and later took him across the world to the west coast of the United States.
Frank Barton began his story in a small North Lincolnshire town, Barton Upon Humber. It was there, on local pitches, that he first discovered his love for the game, a passion that would soon see him sign with Scunthorpe United. From there, he went on to build an impressive career across clubs including Carlisle United, Blackpool, Grimsby Town, and AFC Bournemouth, before making a name for himself in the NASL with the Seattle Sounders. As well as representing his country as a part of England U21s.
Kelis Barton was born in Washington and grew up hearing tales of her grandad’s past stories from his football career. From casual kick abouts in the garden to competitive fixtures across the U.S., her passion for the game grew into a dream — to follow in the footsteps of her greatest inspiration and one day walk the same path her grandfather once did.
Kelis made her mark in the U.S. with Minnesota Aurora FC, where she displayed not only skill, but also leadership and vision from the backline. Yet, it was always England that tugged at her heartstrings. In July 2024, she took the leap and joined Rugby Borough WFC, finally stepping onto English soil as a professional footballer – an emotional milestone not just for her, but for her entire family.
Speaking on the occasion Kelis said:
“It’s going to be a really special moment for me. To be playing in England and making my grandad proud means everything. It feels like things have come full circle.”
Frank also shared his pride in Kelis, saying:
“To see Kelis out there doing what she loves, here in England, just like I did, it makes me very proud. She’s got the heart and the hard work; she’s definitely inherited the Barton boots!”
On Sunday, watching from the stands and showing his support will be Frank Barton himself, joined by a few of his oldest friends and footballing companions who saw him rise from a local boy with talent to a professional with passion. Among them is John Hayes, Frank’s childhood teammate from the early days in Barton Upon Humber, who will be in attendance to witness the next generation carry on the Barton family legacy.
Stories like Kelis and Frank’s remind us why football resonates so deeply to many. It’s not just about goals or trophies – it’s about identity, family, and the traditions that live on in quiet moments of pride and connection.
Kelis continues to wear the number 51, the same number she’s worn since the age of six which is a subtle but significant reminder to her journey and the people who shaped it.
This weekend’s match won’t just represent the end of a season in the FAWNL. For Kelis and Frank Barton, it represents a powerful continuation of a story that began long before kickoff and one that, thanks to passion, history, and heritage, is far from over.
