Where are they now?

Phil Barnes began his career at Rotherham but struggled to break into the first team at Millmoor. Pool stepped in and signed for Barnes for a jaw - dropping £100,000 in August 1997.

Barnesy eventually established himself as a regular in the Pool first team. It was his outrageous slip 30 seconds into the 3rd Division Play Off Final against Leyton Orient which gifted the Londoners the perfect start. However, thankfully, a slighlty embarrassed Barnes was saved by his teamates in Pool's thrilling 4 - 2 Millenium Stadium win.

Barnes was to return to the Welsh national stadium with Pool in 2002 for the emphatic 4 - 1 win over Cambridge in the LDV Vans Trophy.

The keeper went on to make over 170 appearances in Tangerine. Barnesy spent 7 seasons at Bloomfield Road and was a loyal servant to the club.

In the summer of 2004 Neil Warnock took Barnes back to his home county of Yorkshire to join Sheff Utd. However, the keeper could only manage 5 appearances for the Blades with Paddy Kenny seemingly unmovable between the sticks.

Barnesy had successful loan stints at Torquay and QPR before he finally made a permanent move away from Bramall Lane to join League 2 Grimsby.

Last season Phil made 46 league starts for the Mariners and has so far made 13 appearances for the League 2 strugglers this term. Unfortunately Barnesy was sent off last week against Bradford meaning the likeable keeper will have to miss a game.

Most Pool fans will remember Phil fondly. I always thought he was a fantastic shot stopper; one of the best in recent times at Bloomers. However, Phil occasionally struggled with his kicking and coming out for crosses. Sadly, his slip at the Mill Stad and sending off against Crystal Palace in the League Cup a few years back will be my overriding memories of Barnesy.

Even so, Phil did a stirling job for Pool between the posts and pulled off many super stops during his time in a Blackpool shirt.
It's remarkable to see that Phil is still only 28 years old and has many more years left in him. All the best Barnesy and thanks for the memories!

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