Dave Barnett

David Kwame Barnett (born 16 April 1967) is an English former football player and coach who played as a defender in the Football League for Colchester United, Walsall, Barnet, Birmingham City, Port Vale and Lincoln City. He also represented Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish Premier League and Edmonton Brick Men in the Canadian Soccer League. He made more than 200 appearances for nearly 20 clubs during his career. He later coached non-League Romulus.

Playing career Born in Birmingham, Barnett began his youth career at Wolverhampton Wanderers but was released without making an appearance. He then joined non-league sides Boldmere St. Michaels and then Alvechurch before being picked up by Windsor & Eton. From here, he was signed by Colchester United manager Roger Brown on 27 August 1988. He was sent off on his professional debut in the opening-day fixture of the 1988–89 season, becoming only the second U's player after Nigel Crouch to be dismissed on their maiden appearance for the club. After serving his suspension, Barnett was again sent off in only his seventh league game during a 2–1 home defeat to Scunthorpe United on 8 October 1988.

His disciplinary record earned him the nickname "Psycho" with the Colchester fans. His time at the club came to an abrupt end on 24 February 1989 when manager Jock Wallace watched him commit an off the ball indiscretion during a reserve team game.

Birmingham City eventually signed Barnett permanently in February 1994, once again teaming up with Barry Fry, who had been appointed manager at St Andrew's. Signing for £150,000, the club were relegated to the Second Division in 1994, but Barnett helped the club gain immediate promotion back to the First Division as a virtual ever-present feature of the first-team. However, he did not feature in the 1995–96 season and played just six games in 1996–97 under new manager Trevor Francis, and so left for Dunfermline Athletic in July 1997.

Barnett featured 21 times for Dunfermline in the Scottish Premier Division during the 1997–98 season, scoring once to help Bert Paton's side retain their top-flight status. However, before the season was up, Barnett made a deadline day loan move to Port Vale, where he made nine appearances and scored one goal.

Following his return from the United States in the summer of 2009, Barnett signed for Romulus in August and was subsequently appointed first-team coach at the club in February 2010 after initially refusing to be involved in coaching at the club having obtained a UEFA 'A' Licence. He agreed to continue his role at the club for the 2010–11 season, however, his disciplinary issues continued after being given a six-match suspension and a £100 fine by the FA following four breaches of FA Rule E3 - language and/or behaviour amounting to improper conduct - following a match with Belper Town in November 2012. He stepped down as manager in January after deciding to concentrate on activities outside football.

Personal life His son, Ty Barnett, is also a professional footballer.

Career statistics

Honours Kidderminster Harriers FA Trophy runner-up: 1990–91

Birmingham City Football League Second Division: 1994–95 Football League Trophy: 1994–95

All honours referenced by: