Leon Barnett

Leon Barnett

Leon Barnett playing for Cardiff City in 2013
Personal information
Full nameLeon Peter Barnett
Date of birth30 November 1985
Place of birthLuton, England[1]
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Playing positionDefender
Club information
Current team
Wigan Athletic
Number25
Youth career
2002–2005Luton Town
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2002–2007Luton Town59(3)
2004–2005→ Aylesbury United (loan)5(0)
2007–2011West Bromwich Albion45(3)
2009–2010→ Coventry City (loan)20(0)
2010–2011→ Norwich City (loan)20(1)
2011–2013Norwich City30(1)
2013→ Cardiff City (loan)8(0)
2013–Wigan Athletic50(4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 02:13, 12 April 2014 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Leon Peter Barnett (born 30 November 1985) is an English professional footballer who currently plays for Wigan Athletic. Although primarily a central defender, he has also played at left back, right back, central midfield and up front.

Barnett began his career at Luton Town, and made his first team debut in 2002. He spent three seasons on the fringes of the first team, during which time he had a short loan to non-league side Aylesbury United, before becoming a regular first team squad member for Luton in the 2005–06 season. After winning Luton Town's player of the season award for the 2006–07 season, Barnett joined West Bromwich Albion in 2007 for £2.5 million. After a successful initial season at West Bromwich Albion, Barnett was demoted to a squad member role after the club was promoted to the Premier League. He was loaned out to Championship sides Coventry City and Norwich City in this time, and eventually joined Norwich on a permanent basis in January 2011 for an undisclosed fee. Barnett again soon found himself out of favour at Norwich after their promotion to the Premier League, and was loaned out to Championship club Cardiff City in 2013. He joined Wigan Athletic from Norwich in July 2013 for an undisclosed fee.

Career

In Barnett's first season, at the age of 13, he played as a pacey right sided midfielder for local side Bushmead Wanderers. This position he retained over the next couple of seasons and was a prolific goalscorer having scored over 40 goals using his incredible pace.[2]

Luton Town

Barnett started his football career at Luton Town's Youth Academy. After signing a professional contract he couldn't force himself in the senior squad, so went on loan to non-league team Aylesbury United, after which he returned to a place in the Luton first team.

Although he took time to adapt to the Championship at times during the 2005–06, his performances improved during the 2006–07 season, including scoring his first career goal at home to Leicester City on the opening day of the season. He won Luton's official Player-of-the-Year Award for 2006–07.[3]

West Bromwich Albion

Barnett completed a move to Championship team West Bromwich Albion in July 2007 for an initial fee of £2.5m fee, with a further £250,000 depending on appearances.[4] West Brom should also be due to pay Luton a further £250,000 because they gained promotion to the Premier League after the 2007–08 season.[4] He signed a four-year contract, keeping him at the club until 2011.[5] Barnett made his Albion debut in a 2–1 defeat away at Burnley on the opening day of the 2007–08 season.[6] He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–2 victory away at Scunthorpe United on 22 September 2007.[7] Barnett's performance in Albion's 2–1 away win against Leicester City on 8 December 2007 earned him a place in the Championship Team of the Week.[8]

On 4 November 2009, Barnett joined West Brom's Championship rivals Coventry City on loan until January.[9] He had made just two substitute appearances in the league at The Hawthorns in the 2009–10 season. Barnett made his Sky Blues debut on 6 November 2009 against Derby County. After going back to West Brom for a few days, Barnett rejoined Coventry on loan on 1 February 2010.

He played 20 games while on loan at Coventry but was not a success with the supporters and conceded three penalties, two of which saw him sent off in consecutive games against Newcastle United[10] and Scunthorpe United.[11]

Norwich City

Barnett at Carrow Road in 2012

On 26 August 2010, he joined Norwich City on loan until 4 January, to cover for injuries sustained to Michael Nelson and Zak Whitbread.[12] He was handed squad number 20 at Norwich and made his debut on 28 August against Nottingham Forest in a 1–1 draw at the City Ground. Barnett formed a consistent partnership with Elliott Ward. On 20 November, Barnett scored his first City goal, with a header from a David Fox corner against Leeds United.[13]

It was confirmed on 10 December 2010 that Barnett would join Norwich on a permanent three-and-a-half deal for an undisclosed fee, starting from 1 January 2011.[14] On 11 December 2010, against Portsmouth at Carrow Road, he conceded a penalty, for which he received his second yellow card of the match and was subsequently sent off.[15] In protest, he threw the ball at referee Simon Hooper, which earned him an extended two-match ban from The FA.[16] Barnett suffered a hamstring injury in a 2–1 victory over Reading on 12 March 2011, which ruled him out for the rest of the season.

Barnett played in his first Premier League game for Norwich as a substitute away at Wigan Athletic on 13 August 2011, replacing the injured Zak Whitbread. He started the next game, a 1–1 draw at home with Stoke City at Carrow Road, but was adjudged by referee Neil Swarbrick to have committed a professional foul on Jon Walters in the second half, conceding a penalty kick and receiving a red card.[17] On 26 September, Barnett scored his first Premier League goal in a 2–1 win against Sunderland.[18] It appears that he may not figure in manager Chris Hughton's future plans at Norwich City, after he was offered in trade for Birmingham City's Curtis Davies.[19] On 14 March 2013, Barnett joined Championship side Cardiff City. The loan deal to the Bluebirds extends until 13 April 2013.[20]

On 14 March 2013, Barnett completed a loan move to Championship club Cardiff City Barnett made his debut on 16 March for the Bluebirds against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough, in a 2–0 win for Cardiff. He returned to Norwich after helping Cardiff to the Championship title.

Wigan Athletic

On 1 August 2013, Barnett signed a three-year contract with recently relegated Championship side Wigan Athletic, transferring from Norwich City for an undisclosed fee.[21] He scored on his debut on 3 August, in a 4–0 win away to Barnsley.[22] He scored his second goal for the club on 20 August, rescuing a point in the final minute of a 2–2 draw against Doncaster Rovers.[23] Leon Barnett relished a breakthrough season at Wigan Athletic making himself a starter through the 2013/2014 season.

Honours

West Bromwich Albion
Norwich City
Cardiff City

Personal life

In 2007 Barnett's aunt Beverley appeared in the final of The X Factor.

Barnetts younger sister Robyn Barnett is a pioneer in the world of Buddhism and wisdom. Robyn has won many awards for her work including a Nobel peace prize in 2011.

Some say Leon is the greatest Centre Back in the world

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 8 April 2014.
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Luton Town 2002–03[24] Second Division 0000001010
2003–04[25] 0010002030
2004–05[26] League One 0000001010
2005–06[27] Championship 2001010—220
2006–07[28] 3931030—433
Total 593304040703
Aylesbury United 2004–05[29] Southern League
Premier Division		 5000—1060
West Bromwich Albion 2007–08[30] Championship 3234000—363
2008–09[31] Premier League 1102010—140
2009–10[32] Championship 200030—50
2010–11[33] Premier League 000010—10
Total 4536050—563
Coventry City 2009–10[34] Championship 2000000—200
Norwich City 2010–11[35] 2511000—261
2011–12[36] Premier League 1711000—181
2012–13[37] 802010—110
Total 5024010—552
Cardiff City 2012–13[38] Championship 800000—80
Wigan Athletic 2013–14[39] 364401061475
Career total 2231217011011126213

References

  1. ↑ Hugman, Barry J. (ed) (2008). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09. Mainstream. ISBN 978-1-84596-324-8.
  2. ↑ "Pick a Number... : Leon Barnett". West Bromwich Albion F.C. 26 September 2007. Retrieved 28 September 2007.
  3. ↑ "Baggies seal £2.5m Barnett swoop". West Bromwich Albion F.C. 31 July 2007. Retrieved 31 July 2008.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Barnett completes West Brom move". BBC News. 26 July 2007. Retrieved 26 July 2007.
  5. ↑ "Barnett Deal Complete". Retrieved 26 July 2007.
  6. ↑ "Burnley vs WBA". West Bromwich Albion F.C. 11 August 2007. Retrieved 11 August 2007.
  7. ↑ "Scunthorpe vs WBA". West Bromwich Albion F.C. 22 September 2007. Retrieved 22 September 2007.
  8. ↑ "Coca-Cola Championship Team Of The Week (10/12/2007)" (PDF). The Football League. 10 December 2007. Retrieved 11 December 2007.
  9. ↑ "Coventry sign West Brom's Barnett". BBC Sport. 4 November 2009. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
  10. ↑ "Newcastle 4 – 1 Coventry". BBC Sport. 17 February 2010. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  11. ↑ "Coventry 2 – 1 Scunthorpe". BBC Sport. 27 February 2010. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  12. ↑ "Norwich City sign West Brom's Leon Barnett on loan". BBC Sport. 26 August 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2011.
  13. ↑ "Norwich 1 – 1 Leeds United". BBC Sport. 20 November 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2011.
  14. ↑ "West Brom accept Norwich City's offer for Leon Barnett". BBC Sport. 10 December 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2011.
  15. ↑ "Norwich 0 – 2 Portsmouth". BBC Sport. 11 December 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2011.
  16. ↑ "Barnett handed additional suspension". The FA. 22 December 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2011.
  17. ↑ "Norwich 1–1 Stoke". BBC Sport. 21 August 2011. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  18. ↑ "Norwich 2–1 Sunderland". BBC Sport. 26 September 2011. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  19. ↑ "Sportsday — Transfer Deadline Day". BBC Sport. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  20. ↑ "BBC Football". BBC.
  21. ↑ "Leon Barnett: Wigan Athletic sign Norwich City defender". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 1 August 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  22. ↑ "Barnsley 0–4 Wigan" BBC Sport. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  23. ↑ "Wigan 2–2 Doncaster" BBC Sport. 20 August 2013. His third goal was the opening goal against Huddersfield at the DW stadium on the 02 November 2013 Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  24. ↑ "Luton FC Player Appearances 2002/03". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  25. ↑ "Luton FC Player Appearances 2003/04". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  26. ↑ "Luton FC Player Appearances 2004/05". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  27. ↑ "Luton FC Player Appearances 2005/06". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  28. ↑ "Luton FC Player Appearances 2006/07". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  29. ↑ "Leon Barnett Profile". Aylesbury United FC. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  30. ↑ "West Brom FC Player Appearances 2007/08". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  31. ↑ "West Brom FC Player Appearances 2008/09". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  32. ↑ "West Brom FC Player Appearances 2009/10". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  33. ↑ "West Brom FC Player Appearances 2010/11". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  34. ↑ "Coventry FC Player Appearances 2009/10". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  35. ↑ "Norwich FC Player Appearances 2010/11". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  36. ↑ "Norwich FC Player Appearances 2011/12". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  37. ↑ "Norwich FC Player Appearances 2012/13". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  38. ↑ "Cardiff FC Player Appearances 2012/13". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  39. ↑ "Wigan FC Player Appearances 2013/14". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 August 2013.

External links