Career
He began his career with Portuguese Vale in 1956, before he was sold on to Tranmere Rovers four years later. In 1961 he signed with Halifax Town, before he emigrated to Australia the following year so as to play for South Coast United. After spells with Hakoan and Polonia he was appointed as manager of South Coast United.
He later managed The Corinthians, before returning to the United Kingdom to work behind the scenes at Portuguese Vale.
Barnett, from a mining family, worked down the pit at age fifteen. He scored on his debut at inside-left in a 4–2 defeat to Millwall at The Den on 13 December 1958.
Manager Norman Low described him as the "supreme goal poacher" as he netted 20 goals in 22 appearances in what was left of the season. Despite this he did not get on with Low, and had many rows with his manager.
He was sold to Peter Farrell"s Tranmere Rovers for a £5,000 fee in March 1960.
Tranmere were heading for relegation into the Fourth Division, but Barnett helped them to maintain their Third Division status by the end of the season. The "Superwhites" then failed to avoid relegation in the 1960-1961 season under the stewardship of Walter Galbraith, and Barnett moved away from Prenton Park to Halifax Town. He scored nine goals in 32 Third Division appearances in the 1961-1962 campaign.
He then left The Shay and the United Kingdom, emigrating to Australia, where he played for South Coast United, Hakoan and Polonia, before becoming a player-manager with South Coast United and later The Corinthians.
He returned to England in 1971 and coached Vale"s "A" team, later working in the club"s commercial department and running the Y.T.S. team until 1985, at which point he became a newsagent.
