Phil Barnes

Philip Kenneth Barnes (born 2 March 1979) is an English former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Barnes was active between 1996 and 2019, spending the his first thirteen seasons in professional football in a career that began at Rotherham United, although he first made a name for himself as Blackpool. He notched up 141 league appearances during his spell with the Tangerines which earned him a move to Sheffield United, spending time on loan with Torquay United and Queens Park Rangers before joining Grimsby Town. He departed The Mariners in 2009 and moved into Non-League football, playing for Gainsborough Trinity, Alfreton Town, Harrogate Town, Buxton and Handsworth Parramore. He retired from competitive football at the end of the 2018−19 season.

Career

Rotherham United

Barnes started his career at Rotherham United, making his debut against York City in April 1997. ''"Rotherham 0, York 2. TEENAGE keeper Phil Barnes made sure York fought every inch of the way before ensuring their Second Division survival. Barnes, 18, making his debut, pulled off a string of saves to keep already-relegated Rotherham in the match. York's Tony Barras said: "I could have had four goals if it hadn't been for the keeper."'' He made two appearances for Rotherham in total.

Blackpool

Barnes then made a move to Blackpool in August 1997 for a fee of £100,000, as cover for Steve Banks, but eventually made the position his own. Following Blackpool's relegation to the Third Division in May 2000, Barnes signed a three-year contract keeping him at the club until the end of the 2002–03 season. ''"Goalkeeper Phil Barnes has finally signed a new contract to keep him at Bloomfield Road until the end of the 2002/3 campaign. Barnes was offered terms before the season ended, but wanted to concentrate on the relegation battle before signing."'' He contributed a number of clean sheets to the Bloomfield Road club's promotion campaign, helping them to promotion to Division Two via the play-offs in May 2001. After losing his place in the first team, Barnes requested a transfer in November 2003. Having made 170 appearances in all competitions for Blackpool he left the club. In 2002 he started the final as Blackpool won the 2001–02 Football League Trophy. In 2004 Blackpool won the Football League Trophy again, but this time he was an unused substitute in the final.

Sheffield United

He then joined Sheffield United on a free transfer in July 2004, signing a one-year contract, as cover for Paddy Kenny. A regular for the reserves but making just five first-team appearances, he also went out on loan spells at Torquay United and Queens Park Rangers. ''"QPR did not have a goalkeeper until Holloway completed the loan signing of Phil Barnes from Sheffield United on the morning of the match gainst Leeds''. Barnes was part of the United squad that earned promotion to the Premier League in the 2005–06 campaign.

Grimsby Town

In June 2006, Barnes signed a three-year contract with Grimsby Town for an undisclosed fee, to replace Steve Mildenhall after his transfer to Yeovil Town. He was named the Grimsby Supporters' Player of the Year for 2007–08. At the end of the 2007–08 season, Barnes had made over 100 appearances in all competitions for Grimsby. Barnes started the 2008–09 season by being in the League Two Team of the Week, then he was in the team of the week again for his performance against Shrewsbury Town. Later in the season after getting a throat infection Mariners manager Mike Newell was forced to replace Barnes, and in turn swooped to sign on loan Preston North End keeper Wayne Henderson to replace him. Barnes was then made available for loan, and on 24 March, Newell rejected a loan move from Shrewsbury Town for him after the two clubs could not agree on a deal regarding wages. On 25 March, Barnes left Grimsby after being told he was no longer needed by the club, his understudy Gary Montgomery was also released. The Mariners saw out the 2008–09 campaign with Henderson and former Leeds United player Jonny Lund, as the club's two professional keepers.

Non-League

Barnes joined Conference North club Gainsborough Trinity on a non-contract terms in April 2009 after the club needed an emergency goalkeeper to cover for the injured Adam Sollitt, making his debut in the final game of the 2008–09 season, a 3–2 victory over Harrogate Town. Trinity manager Steve Charles praised Barnes as he was given Man of the Match in the game, but commented signing Barnes for the 2009–10 season was unlikely due to the players desire to play at a professional level. Despite this though, Barnes signed a permanent contract for the club on 9 June 2009 as well as the club signing Darryn Stamp on the same day. Barnes was joined at Trinity by a vast number of professionals as new chairman Peter Swann boosted the club's finances to sign a higher calibre of players. Barnes would start the 2009–10 season off as the club's number 1 keeper. The Holy Blues appointed Brian Little as manager who in turn brought in former Premiership keeper Gavin Ward as his Assistant Manager and second choice keeper.

During the 2011–12 campaign a mid season injury sidelined Barnes for the remainder of the season. His understudy Andy Pettinger was also forced on to the sidelines, with the club having to bring in Dimitar Evtimov from Nottingham Forest on loan before signing youngster Michael Emery to deputise. Before the end of the season Trinity brought in a new first choice keeper in Jason White meaning Barnes was not offered a new contract at the end of the 2011–12 season but instead was invited back to pre-season training to prove his fitness, however he declined the offer and left the club.

It was announced on 28 June 2012, that Barnes had joined Conference National side Alfreton Town. Initially used as Town's first choice keeper, the club chose to loan in Jon Stewart from Burnley, however when Stewart's loan expired in late December, Barnes regained the number 1 spot. Barnes played 18 times for the club and was released at the end of the season. On 23 May 2013 it was announced Barnes had re-signed for Gainsborough.

On 27 May 2014, Barnes joined Harrogate Town on a one-year deal. In August 2015, Barnes signed a contract with Buxton before retiring a few months later in September 2016. Barnes came out of retirement and rejoined Town ahead of the 2017–18 season. In July 2018 Barnes signed with Handsworth Parramore.

Personal life

Barnes now works as Performer for Handsworth Precision Tools.

Honours

Blackpool
* Football League Third Division, Division Three play-off final winner: 2000–01
* Football League Trophy winner: 2001–02, 2003–04

Grimsby Town
* Football League Trophy runner up: 2007–08
* Supporters Player of the Year: winner, 2008
* League Two Team of the Week 2008–09 x2

Sheffield United
* Football League Championship promoted: 2005–2006

References

External links

Phil Barnes profile
at the Alfreton Town FC website
Profile of Phil Barnes at CodAlmighty.com
*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Barnes, Phil
1979 births
Living people
Footballers from Sheffield
Association football goalkeepers
English footballers
Rotherham United F.C. players
Blackpool F.C. players
Sheffield United F.C. players
Grimsby Town F.C. players
Torquay United F.C. players
Queens Park Rangers F.C. players
Gainsborough Trinity F.C. players
Alfreton Town F.C. players
Harrogate Town A.F.C. players
Buxton F.C. players
Matlock Town F.C. players
English Football League players
National League (English football) players
Northern Premier League players