| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Darren Sean Barnard | ||
| Date of birth | 30 November 1971 | ||
| Place of birth | Rinteln, Germany | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||
| Playing position | Left wing back/Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Camberley Town (Joint manager / Director of football) |
||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1989–1990 | Wokingham Town | 34 | (11) |
| 1990–1995 | Chelsea | 29 | (2) |
| 1994 | → Reading (loan) | 4 | (0) |
| 1995–1997 | Bristol City | 76 | (17) |
| 1997–2002 | Barnsley | 201 | (28) |
| 2002–2004 | Grimsby Town | 63 | (4) |
| 2004–2007 | Aldershot Town | 127 | (24) |
| 2007–2010 | Camberley Town | 100 | (25) |
| National team | |||
| 1988 | England U18 | 8 | (1) |
| 1998–2004 | Wales | 22 | (0) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 2010- | Camberley Town (Joint Manager) | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). |
|||
Darren Sean Barnard (born 30 November 1971 in Rinteln, Germany),is a former professional footballer and Welsh international, playing 22 times for Wales between 1998 and 2004.[1][2] He is currently joint-manager of Camberley Town and is also the club's Director of football and notably played for Chelsea and Barnsley. He also played as a professional for Reading, Bristol City, Grimsby Town and Aldershot Town.
Contents |
Chelsea paid non-league Wokingham Town £100,000 to seal the signature of 18-year-old Darren Barnard in July 1990. A complete unknown, He had to wait almost 2 years for his first team debut as he was competing with the established Gareth Hall and Frank Sinclair for a place in the team. During his time at Chelsea, Darren played for Bobby Campbell Ian Porterfield and Glenn Hoddle, but was only given a regular run in the team by caretaker manager David Webb. Barnard was signed at a time when the Blues were attempting to boost their standing in the First Division with the expensive purchases of Dennis Wise and Andy Townsend, Darren was forced to wait almost two years for his first-team debut. Comfortable playing anywhere along the left-flank, his first appearance was as a replacement for Vinnie Jones in a 2–1 win over West Ham United towards the end of the 1991–92 season, and after two further substitute appearances he was rewarded with his first start, it coming in a disappointing 3–1 defeat at Aston Villa. Manager Ian Porterfield resisted the opportunity to include Darren in his side at the beginning of the following campaign, preferring to play Gareth Hall out of position in the absence of regular left-back Frank Sinclair, and with the exception of an outing at Coventry City in October it wasn't until the final three months of the campaign – after David Webb was drafted in to replace Porterfield for the remainder of the season – that Darren became a regular fixture. Given the freedom to roam on the left of Chelsea's midfield, he impressed with a number of cultured displays, the best of which came against Middlesbrough when he tormented Boro's right-back Curtis Fleming to such an extent that the Irishman's revenge led to Barnard missing the following match with a cut shin. He scored his first goal for the club that day, in what was a 4–0 win, and could look back with pride on a record that season of eight starts resulting in five wins, two draws and just a single defeat. However, new manager Glenn Hoddle remained unconvinced and Darren was restricted to only nine starts in 1993–94, primarily as a left-back. An awful league campaign was compensated for by a run to the final of the FA Cup, and although he did not feature in the final itself, Darren did play in the semi-final victory over Luton Town after replacing the injured Craig Burley late in the first-half. He struck his only goal of the season in a 2–0 defeat of West Ham in March, and his final appearance for the club came six weeks later when he was selected for a weakened side that were beaten by Coventry City as Hoddle chose to protect his likely cup final team. Despite remaining with the club for a further 18 months, Darren failed to reappear in the first-team, eventually joining Bristol City in October 1995 for a fee of £175,000 a move which proved to be a launching pad for his career, as he went on to become a full international in the colours of Wales.
Darren transferred to Bristol City for £175,000.[3] Two seasons in Division Two culminated in losing in the play off semi finals to Brentford. Bought from Chelsea, where he had made just a handful of first team appearances, Darren initially played on the left wing for City. However, manager Joe Jordan started to play him at left wing-back shortly after his move to the club, and before long, Darren was a fully fledged left wing-back. He was perhaps one of the most talented players to turn out for City during the 1990s. His ability to run with the ball down the wing, overlap with Brian Tinnion and, of course, his wonderful free kicks were all a joy to behold. When Mickey Bell joined the club in 1997 City fans were given a mouthwatering preview of what could be, when both Barnard and Bell played in a pre-season friendly against Liverpool. They linked together in amazing fashion, producing some breathtaking attacking football. Unfortunately, Barnard left the club soon after, to join Barnsley in the Premier League, so this partnership was never seen in a competitive City side. Barnard scored 17 goals in 76 games for City. Barnard went on to play in the Premiership with Barnsley, where he continued to score his usual quota of amazing free kicks and long range volleys. Barnard scored 28 goals in 201 appearances for the club with many assists.
Barnsley were looking to strengthen their squad after an unexpected promotion to the Premier League for the 1997-98 season, signing Darren for £750,000 as well as players like Eric Tinkler and Georgi Hristov. Darren became a Welsh international during this season, making his debut for Wales in a 0-0 draw against Jamaica on 25 March 1998 and went on to collect 18 caps whilst at Barnsley. Unfortunately for Barnsley the Premier League dream lasted only one season, but Darren played on for them in the First Division for another four seasons and played in the 1999-00 play off final defeat to Ipswich Town, in which he missed the opening penalty in the match,the last missed penalty at the old Wembley stadium,although Barnsley were awarded another which Craig.Higgnett scored. The goal keeper Richard Wright as a result was sold to Arsenal for 7 million pounds). In the 1998-99 season, Darren turned down a move to go to Southampton in November, on his first game after he declined the move he scored what possibly could be one of the all time great goals for his club and himself, a left footed volley from the corner of the penalty area after a fine pass by Nicky Eaden. The goal was in Barnsley's 7-1 win over Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town on 27 November 1998, in which the game was on Sky Sports.
Barnard joined Grimsby Town for the start of the 2002-03 season along with fellow Barnsley player Steve Chettle. Barnard was used as a left sided midfielder in his first season while under manager Paul Groves, but was also used at left back, the latter was primarily his main position after the departure of Tony Gallimore in the summer of 2003. In both Darren's seasons at Blundell Park he suffered relegations in which Grimsby were went from Division One to Division Three. Following the clubs financial difficulties many of Barnard's colleagues had been inexperienced youngsters. Despite not having any luck at his club, Darren collected another 6 Welsh caps, the last as a substitute against Norway on 27 May 2004, coincidentally alongside former Grimsby team-mates Danny Coyne and John Oster.
The former Aldershot and Farnborough District schoolboy joined Aldershot Town in August 2004 after leaving Grimsby Town. The Welsh international left-sided defender was a major signing by the Aldershot manager Terry Brown, becoming the club's penalty taker.In 2007 Darren was made club captain as well as playing and captaining the Welsh semi Professional side.Darren scored 24 goals in 127 appearances for Aldershot Town.
Barnard moved to sign for Camberley Town prior to his release from Aldershot in 2007. As well as being used as a player, Darren was also appointed the Director of football for the club, and later the General Manager. In May 2010 he was appointed joint first team manager alongside ex-Reading and Wycombe Wanderers player Paul Miles. Barnard has registered for playing in 2010/2011 season. In 2010 Barnard completed all his coaching badges in Manchester with ex players and friends Shaun Goater and Paul Jones.
Masters football is a branded six-a-side game designed for older (35+) ex-professional footballers. Barnard also played for Chelsea in the 2007 London masters. Chelsea won the trophy with Darren collecting the Golden boot award. Barnard also played for the PFA in the Hong Kong 2007 Sevens losing in the Finals. Barnard collected the golden boot award for the second time in 2008 for Chelsea in the London Masters. In 2009 Darren played for Wales in the Sky Masters losing out in the final to Ireland. Barnard got his third golden boot award in 2010 for Chelsea in the London Masters. Scored his first hat trick for Chelsea old boys against Reading old boys also in 2010.