Leon Barnett
Encyclopedia
Leon Peter Barnett is an English
professional footballer who currently plays for Norwich City
. Although primarily a central defender, he has also played at left back, right back, central midfield
and up front
. Barnett joined Norwich City on a permanent deal on 1 January 2011 for an undisclosed fee on a three-and-a-half year contract.
, 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.
in July 2007 for an initial fee of £2.5m fee, with a further £250,000 depending on appearances. 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
. He signed a four-year contract, keeping him at the club until 2011. Barnett made his Albion debut in a 2–1 defeat away at Burnley
on the opening day of the 2007–08
season. He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–2 victory away at Scunthorpe United
on 22 September 2007. 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.
On 4 November 2009, Barnett joined West Brom's Championship rivals Coventry City
on loan until January. 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.
. 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
.
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. 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. In protest, he threw the ball at referee Simon Hooper, which earned him an extended two-match ban from The FA. 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. On 26 September, Barnett scored his first Premier League goal in a 2–1 win against Sunderland
.
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer who currently plays for Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
. Although primarily a central defender, he has also played at left back, right back, central midfield
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
and up front
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
. Barnett joined Norwich City on a permanent deal on 1 January 2011 for an undisclosed fee on a three-and-a-half year contract.
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.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 UnitedAylesbury United F.C.
Aylesbury United are a football club based in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, currently playing in the Spartan South Midlands League, nicknamed the Ducks....
, after which he returned to a place in the Luton first team.
Although he took time to adapt to the Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
at times during the 2005–06
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
, his performances improved during the 2006–07
2006-07 in English football
The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
season, including scoring his first career goal at home to Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
on the opening day of the season. He won Luton's official Player-of-the-Year Award for 2006–07.
West Bromwich Albion
Barnett completed a move to Championship team West Bromwich AlbionWest Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
in July 2007 for an initial fee of £2.5m fee, with a further £250,000 depending on appearances. 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
2007-08 in English football
The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...
. He signed a four-year contract, keeping him at the club until 2011. Barnett made his Albion debut in a 2–1 defeat away at Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
on the opening day of the 2007–08
2007-08 in English football
The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...
season. He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–2 victory away at Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
on 22 September 2007. Barnett's performance in Albion's 2–1 away win against Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
on 8 December 2007 earned him a place in the Championship Team of the Week.
On 4 November 2009, Barnett joined West Brom's Championship rivals Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
on loan until January. He had made just two substitute appearances in the league at The Hawthorns
The Hawthorns
The Hawthorns is an all-seater football stadium in West Bromwich, Sandwell, England, with a capacity of 26,484. It has been the home of West Bromwich Albion F.C. since 1900, when it became the sixth ground to be used by the club. The ground was the last Football League ground to be built in the...
in the 2009–10
2009–10 in English football
The 2009–10 season was the 130th season of competitive football in England.The season began on 8 August 2009 for the Championship, League One and League Two and 15 August 2009 for the Premier League...
season. Barnett made his Sky Blues debut on 6 November 2009 against Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
. 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.
Norwich City
On 26 August 2010, he joined Norwich City on loan until 4 January, to cover for injuries sustained to Michael Nelson and Zak WhitbreadZak Whitbread
Zak Benjamin Whitbread is an American soccer player who plays for English Premier League club Norwich City as a defender.-Early life:...
. He was handed squad number 20 at Norwich and made his debut on 28 August against Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
in a 1–1 draw at the City Ground
City Ground
The City Ground is a football stadium in the West Bridgford area of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, on the banks of the River Trent. It has been home to Nottingham Forest Football Club since 1898, and has a capacity of 30,602 ....
. Barnett formed a consistent partnership with Elliott Ward
Elliott Ward
Elliott Leslie Ward is an English professional footballer currently playing for Norwich City. He signed for the Canaries on a free transfer from Coventry City in May 2010; officially joining them on 1 July....
. On 20 November, Barnett scored his first City goal, with a header from a David Fox
David Fox (footballer)
David Lee Fox is an English professional footballer who currently plays for Norwich City, having signed from Colchester United on 4 June 2010....
corner against Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
.
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. On 11 December 2010, against Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
at Carrow Road
Carrow Road
Carrow Road is a football stadium in Norwich, England, and is the home of Norwich City Football Club. The stadium is located toward the easterly end of the city, not far from Norwich railway station and the River Wensum....
, he conceded a penalty, for which he received his second yellow card of the match and was subsequently sent off. In protest, he threw the ball at referee Simon Hooper, which earned him an extended two-match ban from The FA. Barnett suffered a hamstring injury in a 2–1 victory over Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
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
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
on 13 August 2011, replacing the injured Zak Whitbread
Zak Whitbread
Zak Benjamin Whitbread is an American soccer player who plays for English Premier League club Norwich City as a defender.-Early life:...
. He started the next game, a 1–1 draw at home with Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
at Carrow Road
Carrow Road
Carrow Road is a football stadium in Norwich, England, and is the home of Norwich City Football Club. The stadium is located toward the easterly end of the city, not far from Norwich railway station and the River Wensum....
, but was adjudged by referee Neil Swarbrick
Neil Swarbrick
Neil Swarbrick is an English professional football referee who generally officiates in the Premier League after being promoted to the Select Group of Referees in 2011. He is based in Preston, Lancashire.-Career:...
to have committed a professional foul
Professional foul
In sports, a professional foul is a deliberate act of foul play, usually to prevent an opponent's scoring.-Association football:The concept gained notoriety in association football after an infamous incident in the 1980 FA Cup Final when Willie Young of Arsenal committed a deliberate foul on Paul...
on Jon Walters
Jonathan Walters
Jonathan Ronald "Jon" Walters is an Irish footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Stoke City and the Republic of Ireland national football team....
in the second half, conceding a penalty kick and receiving a red card. On 26 September, Barnett scored his first Premier League goal in a 2–1 win against Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
.
Trivia
In 2007 Barnett's aunt Beverley appeared in the final of The X FactorThe X Factor (UK)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. Created by Simon Cowell, it began in September 2004 and is contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions. It is the originator of the international X Factor franchise. The seven series of the show to date...
.
External links
- Leon Barnett player profile at wba.co.uk
- Leon Barnett player profile at lutontown.co.uk