Career
On 20 July 2010: Andy Barron, the New Zealand investment banker who was the only amateur player to take the field at the World Cup, has retired from all football. Midfielder Barron played the last four minutes of New Zealand’s 1–1 draw with Italy, receiving international attention as an odd man out among the world’s highest-paid football players. Barron signed for Canterbury United, a New Zealand Football Championship franchise at the start of the 2005-2006 season.
After impressing making 15 appearances and scoring one goal, he was scouted by other NZFC club Team Wellington for the following season and scored four goals in 12 appearances in a central midfield play-maker role.
In 2008, Barron went in search of a professional career overseas and signed with the Minnesota Thunder of the USL First Division, however after struggling to make an impact, he returned to New Zealand to play for Team Wellington midway through the NZFC 2008-2009 season. Barron has made 34 appearances (all starts) and scored 12 goals both stints with the Wellington club
Barron made his debut for the New Zealand national football team in the first match of a two-game friendly series against Malaysia on 19 February 2006. During the 2010 Fédération internationale de football association world cup, he made the headlines when he featured in a game as a late substitute, against Italy, notably being the only non-professional football player to participate in the tournament.
Barron combines full-time employment as an investment counselor with semi-professional football in New Zealand"s football championship.