Leigh Barnard
Encyclopedia
Leigh Kenneth Barnard is a former professional footballer who played as a midfielder
.
He joined Portsmouth
as an apprentice in 1977 and appeared in 79 games for the club before falling out of favour in 1982 and being loaned out to Peterborough United
.
He was given a free transfer to Swindon Town
at the end of the 1981-82 season with, then manager, John Trollope
commenting "He has the kind of appetite for work that Roger Smart
used to have in midfield, and you can't ask for more than that". Barnard was a regular first team choice in his first season with the Wiltshire club and played in every League game.
A left-sided midfielder, Barnard was loaned by Swindon to Exeter
during the 1984-85 season after showing poor form in a Freight Rover Trophy match against Torquay United. In all he appeared 6 times for the Devon club, scoring twice, before returning to the Swindon first team the following season and scoring a goal against Mansfield Town
that clinched the Fourth Division Championship for the team.
He lost his regular first team place in 1987-88 and did not appear in the first team again until the beginning of the 1989-90 season. He was eventually transferred to Cardiff City
in October 1989 for £17,500 where he went on to appear 69 times, scoring 9 goals.
He is currently teaching Mathematics in Abbotsfield School for Boys
.
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...
.
He joined 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...
as an apprentice in 1977 and appeared in 79 games for the club before falling out of favour in 1982 and being loaned out to Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
.
He was given a free transfer to Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
at the end of the 1981-82 season with, then manager, John Trollope
John Trollope (footballer)
Norman John Trollope MBE is a former footballer, manager and coach who served Swindon Town for twenty years.A Swindon Town legend, Trollope holds the record for the number of league appearances made for one club - turning out for the Town in 770 games between 1960 and 1980, an achievement which...
commenting "He has the kind of appetite for work that Roger Smart
Roger Smart
Roger Smart is a retired football Inside Forward.He made his way from schoolboy teams to work up through the youth ranks at Swindon Town before making his début in the reserves in April 1960....
used to have in midfield, and you can't ask for more than that". Barnard was a regular first team choice in his first season with the Wiltshire club and played in every League game.
A left-sided midfielder, Barnard was loaned by Swindon to Exeter
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
during the 1984-85 season after showing poor form in a Freight Rover Trophy match against Torquay United. In all he appeared 6 times for the Devon club, scoring twice, before returning to the Swindon first team the following season and scoring a goal against Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
that clinched the Fourth Division Championship for the team.
He lost his regular first team place in 1987-88 and did not appear in the first team again until the beginning of the 1989-90 season. He was eventually transferred to Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
in October 1989 for £17,500 where he went on to appear 69 times, scoring 9 goals.
He is currently teaching Mathematics in Abbotsfield School for Boys
Abbotsfield Secondary School
Abbotsfield School for Boys is a secondary school in Hillingdon, within the London Borough of Hillingdon. The school is the only boys school in the borough and shares a site with Swakeleys School for Girls in Clifton Gardens...
.
External links
- Player profile at Swindon Town F.C.