Career
Barnett played as a goalkeeper and started out at Everton in 1962, and there he gained schoolboy and U21 honours with England. However, with the goalkeeping spot being dominated by Gordon West and Andy Rankin through most of the 1960s, Barnett could only be content with being their understudy, making just ten league appearances in seven seasons for the Toffees, all in his final three seasons. In October 1969, Barnett was hurriedly signed for £35,000 by after their Number.
1 goalkeeper Bob Wilson broke his arm early in the season, and Barnett made his debut against Coventry City on October 4, 1969.
Barnett made 11 league appearances and successfully kept a clean sheet over both legs against Sporting Communist Party in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Second Round (saving a penalty in the goalless first leg), but once Wilson recovered from his injury, Barnett was relegated to the reserves. He was blameless for the goal which saw lose 1-0 in a match better known for ill-discipline rather than the quality of play.
Barnett started the 1972-1973 season as Wilson struggled to recover from injury, playing 25 matches, but Wilson always assumed the goalkeeper"s jersey ahead of Barnett when fully fit. After signed Jimmy Rimmer as Wilson"s long-term replacement in February 1974 (Wilson would retire from the game that summer), it was clear Barnett would never take the Number.
1 spot at full-time. Nevertheless, he stayed loyal to and played for another two years as Rimmer"s understudy, his last appearance coming against Stoke City on December 13, 1975 (his only match in the 75/6 season).
Barnett stayed in America for a number of years, briefly becoming the Kicks" coach on May 14, 1981. He had a record of 16-10. The team folded after the 1981 NASL season However he never pursued a career in management and eventually returned to England.
He ran a public in his native Cheshire until 2010.
Geoff currently resides in Nisswa, Minnesota where he is a Starter at The Pines Golf Course at Grand View Lodge.
