Garry Williamson Barnes
Encyclopedia
Garry Williamson Barnes (born 24 January 1982), formerly known as Garry Williamson, is an English footballer who played in the Football League
for Darlington
. He joined West Auckland Town
before the 2010–11 season.
and joined his home-town club in 1997. Then known as Garry Williamson, he turned professional in 2000 and made his Football League debut for Darlington
on 12 August 2000 as a second-half substitute in a 1–1 draw away at Rochdale
. He made five more appearances in League Two
, and four in cup competitions, and spent some time on loan at Northern Premier League
club Spennymoor United
.
At the end of the 2000–01 season, Williamson turned down Darlington's offer of a contract extension, preferring to move to the United States to take up a scholarship at Yavapai College
, Arizona
, where he led the 2001 offensive rankings for Division 1 of the National Junior College Athletic Association
.
He returned to England and, by then using the surname Barnes, signed for Shildon
of the Northern League
, for whom he scored 53 goals in 52 appearances in the 2003–04 season, a performance which earned him the award of Northern League Player of the Year, and his 34 league goals made him the season's top scorer. In the same season, Shildon reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup, only to be beaten by Notts County
of Division Two
– five levels above Shildon – 7–2; Barnes, who had scored eight goals during the qualifying rounds, added a 63rd-minute penalty
.
Before the 2005–06 season Barnes left Shildon for rivals Durham City, but a few months later he moved on again, this time to Newcastle Blue Star
, with whom he won the Northern League title. He began the next season at Tow Law Town
, but joined West Auckland Town
during the season, and was leading scorer for the club in 2008–09. He joined Spennymoor Town
for the 2009–10 season, but left due to work commitments. Barnes rejoined West Auckland in August 2010.
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
for Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
. He joined West Auckland Town
West Auckland Town F.C.
West Auckland Town F.C. are a football club from West Auckland, County Durham, England, competing in the Northern League, in the ninth tier of the English football league system...
before the 2010–11 season.
Career
Barnes was born in DarlingtonDarlington
Darlington is a market town in the Borough of Darlington, part of the ceremonial county of County Durham, England. It lies on the small River Skerne, a tributary of the River Tees, not far from the main river. It is the main population centre in the borough, with a population of 97,838 as of 2001...
and joined his home-town club in 1997. Then known as Garry Williamson, he turned professional in 2000 and made his Football League debut for Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
on 12 August 2000 as a second-half substitute in a 1–1 draw away at Rochdale
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
. He made five more appearances in League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
, and four in cup competitions, and spent some time on loan at Northern Premier League
Northern Premier League
The Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...
club Spennymoor United
Spennymoor United F.C.
Spennymoor United F.C. was an English association football club based in Spennymoor, County Durham.In 1905, they joined the Northern League and won the league title six times in their history. In the 1936-37 season, they reached the third round of the FA Cup, where they lost to top-flight side West...
.
At the end of the 2000–01 season, Williamson turned down Darlington's offer of a contract extension, preferring to move to the United States to take up a scholarship at Yavapai College
Yavapai College
Yavapai College is a community college located in Yavapai County, Arizona. The main Campus is in Prescott, with locations in Clarkdale, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, and Sedona.-History:...
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, where he led the 2001 offensive rankings for Division 1 of the National Junior College Athletic Association
National Junior College Athletic Association
The National Junior College Athletic Association , founded in 1938, is an association of community college and junior college athletic departments throughout the United States. It is held as Divisions and Regions. The current NJCAA holds 24 separate regions.-History:The idea for the NJCAA was...
.
He returned to England and, by then using the surname Barnes, signed for Shildon
Shildon A.F.C.
Shildon A.F.C. is a football club established in 1890 based in Shildon, County Durham, England. They compete in the Northern League Division One. They play at Dean Street....
of the Northern League
Northern League (football)
The Northern League is a football league in North East England for semi-professional and amateur teams. Having been founded in 1889, it is the oldest surviving football league in the world after the Football League....
, for whom he scored 53 goals in 52 appearances in the 2003–04 season, a performance which earned him the award of Northern League Player of the Year, and his 34 league goals made him the season's top scorer. In the same season, Shildon reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup, only to be beaten by Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
of Division Two
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
– five levels above Shildon – 7–2; Barnes, who had scored eight goals during the qualifying rounds, added a 63rd-minute penalty
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
.
Before the 2005–06 season Barnes left Shildon for rivals Durham City, but a few months later he moved on again, this time to Newcastle Blue Star
Newcastle Blue Star F.C.
Newcastle Blue Star F.C. was a football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It was established in 1930 and joined the Wearside League in 1973. In 1978, it won the FA Vase. Having won promotion to the Northern Premier League Premier Division at the end of the 2008/09 season via the...
, with whom he won the Northern League title. He began the next season at Tow Law Town
Tow Law Town F.C.
Tow Law Town A.F.C. is an English non-league football club from Tow Law, County Durham, currently playing in the Northern League Division One. The team, nicknamed "The Lawyers", play their home games at Ironworks Road...
, but joined West Auckland Town
West Auckland Town F.C.
West Auckland Town F.C. are a football club from West Auckland, County Durham, England, competing in the Northern League, in the ninth tier of the English football league system...
during the season, and was leading scorer for the club in 2008–09. He joined Spennymoor Town
Spennymoor Town F.C.
Spennymoor Town F.C. is an English football club based in Spennymoor, England, and playing in the Northern League Division One in the English football league system....
for the 2009–10 season, but left due to work commitments. Barnes rejoined West Auckland in August 2010.