Phil Barnes

English footballer

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 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, Matlock Town and Handsworth Parramore. He retired from competitive football at the end of the 2018−19 season.

Barnes started his career at Rotherham United, making his debut against York City in April 1997. He made two appearances for Rotherham in total.

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. 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 2004 Blackpool won the Football League Trophy again, but this time he was an unused substitute in the final.

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, Barnes was part of the United squad that earned promotion to the Premier League in the 2005–06 campaign.

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. 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. In June 2016 Barnes joined Matlock Town 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.

Barnes now works as Performer for Handsworth Precision Tools.