Albert Barnett

Albert Barnett (7 January 1892 – October 1941) was an English professional footballer. During his career, he played in the Football League for Glossop, Cardiff City, Aberdare Athletic and Wigan Borough.

Early life Born in Altrincham, Barnett was one of 12 children of John, a brickmaker and labourer, and Elizabeth Barnett. The Barnett family later played a charity match in aid of Ancoats Hospital against another family at Hyde Road with a team composed of John Barnett's eleven sons.

Career Early career Barnett began his footballing career with his hometown club Altrincham, making his debut as a teenager in the 1910–11 season, becoming the fourth member of his family to play for the club following three of his brothers. A fifth brother would also later play for the club and Leo Barnett would later become the sixth member of the family to play for the club in the 1950s. His form attracted attention from several clubs and he attended a second unsuccessful trial with Bolton before joining Football League Second Division side Glossop, making his Football League debut on 20 September 1913 in a 1–0 defeat to Fulham.

Cardiff City After one season with Glossop, Barnett joined Southern Football League side Cardiff City for a fee of £50, making his debut for the Bluebirds on 23 January 1915 in a 2–1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion. He scored his first goal for the club in their following match, a 5–0 victory over Crystal Palace, and kept his place in the first-team for the remainder of the season, scoring six times. The out break of World War I saw all league football suspended for the duration of the hostilities, during which Barnett appeared as a wartime guest player for Stockport County, Manchester United and Rochdale. However, in his third appearance for the club, he suffered another broken leg during a tackle with an opposition player and was forced into retirement.

Later life Following his retirement from football, Barnett worked as a plumber. He died in October 1941 in Altrincham.

Honours Fordsons FAI Cup winner: 1926