Gareth Barry facts for kids
Barry with Everton in 2014
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 23 February 1981 | ||
| Place of birth | Hastings, England | ||
| Height | 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) | ||
| Playing position | Defensive midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Hurstpierpoint | ||
| Number | 17 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1991–1997 | Brighton & Hove Albion | ||
| 1997–1998 | Aston Villa | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1998–2009 | Aston Villa | 365 | (41) |
| 2009–2014 | Manchester City | 132 | (6) |
| 2013–2014 | → Everton (loan) | 32 | (3) |
| 2014–2017 | Everton | 99 | (2) |
| 2017–2020 | West Bromwich Albion | 52 | (2) |
| 2024– | Hurstpierpoint | 2 | (0) |
| National team | |||
| 1997–1998 | England U16 | 6 | (0) |
| 1998–1999 | England U18 | 5 | (0) |
| 1998–2003 | England U21 | 27 | (2) |
| 2007 | England B | 1 | (0) |
| 2000–2012 | England | 53 | (3) |
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Gareth Barry (born 23 February 1981) is a retired English footballer who played as a midfielder. He holds the record for the most appearances in the Premier League, playing 653 games for Aston Villa, Manchester City, Everton, and West Bromwich Albion. He also played for the England national team.
Barry started his career at Aston Villa, where he spent 12 years. He became the team's captain and is one of the players with the most appearances for the club. In 2009, he moved to Manchester City. There, he won the FA Cup in 2011 and the Premier League title in 2012. After a loan period, he joined Everton permanently in 2014. He later played for West Bromwich Albion before retiring in 2020. Barry also played 53 times for England, scoring 3 goals, and was part of the squads for UEFA Euro 2000 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Contents
Football Career Highlights
Starting at Aston Villa
Gareth Barry joined Aston Villa as a young player in 1997. He had previously been with Brighton and Hove Albion. He played his first senior game for Villa on 2 May 1998. It was a 3–1 win against Sheffield Wednesday.
In April 1999, he scored his first professional goal for Aston Villa. This was in a 2–0 victory over Nottingham Forest. He also played in the 2000 FA Cup Final at the old Wembley Stadium, but Villa lost to Chelsea. In 2001, he helped Villa win the 2001 UEFA Intertoto Cup against FC Basel.
By November 2007, Barry had been at Aston Villa for 10 years. He was the longest-serving player on the team. In October 2007, he became the youngest player to reach 300 Premier League games. He was 26 years and 247 days old at the time.
In May 2008, Liverpool tried to sign Barry. He wanted to join Liverpool to play in the UEFA Champions League. However, Aston Villa rejected their offers. Barry was briefly removed as captain and fined. He stayed at Aston Villa and continued to play well. He made his 400th appearance for the club in September 2008. He scored a penalty in that game. In total, Barry played 441 games for Aston Villa and scored 52 goals.
Moving to Manchester City
On 2 June 2009, Barry signed a five-year contract with Manchester City. The transfer fee was £12 million. He made his debut for City in a 2–0 win against Blackburn Rovers.
Barry scored his first Premier League goal for Manchester City against Manchester United in September 2009. He helped City win the FA Cup in 2011. He played in the final as City beat Stoke City 1–0. In the 2011–12 season, Barry played 34 Premier League games. Manchester City won the league title that year, which was their first in 44 years.
Time at Everton
On 2 September 2013, Barry joined Everton on a loan deal for one season. He quickly became an important player for the team. In September, he played his 500th career game in the Premier League. He scored his first goal for Everton in October 2013.
After a successful loan, Barry joined Everton permanently on 8 July 2014. He signed a three-year contract. On 26 December, he became the first player to receive 100 yellow cards in the Premier League. He was sent off a few times during his time at Everton.
In March 2016, Everton manager Roberto Martínez called Barry "one of the best English players ever." In May 2016, Barry set a new record. He started his 572nd Premier League game, which was the most by any player at that time. On 17 September 2016, he became the third player to reach 600 Premier League appearances. Only Ryan Giggs and Frank Lampard had done this before him.
Playing for West Bromwich Albion
On 15 August 2017, Barry signed for West Bromwich Albion. Four days later, he made his debut for the club. On 25 September, Barry played his 633rd Premier League game. This broke Ryan Giggs' record of 632 appearances, making Barry the player with the most Premier League appearances in history.
After an injury, Barry left West Brom in July 2019. However, he re-signed with the club in November 2019 and played until the end of the 2019–20 season.
Retirement and Amateur Football
Gareth Barry announced his retirement from professional football on 27 August 2020. Since then, he has played for an over-35s team called Comberton Dynamoes Veterans. In July 2024, he joined a village amateur team called Hurstpierpoint. This team plays in the Mid Sussex Football League, which is a lower level of English football.
International Career with England
Gareth Barry first played for England at the under-16 level. He also played for the under-18 and under-21 teams. He made 27 appearances for the England under-21 side.
Barry was first chosen for the senior England team by manager Kevin Keegan. He made his England debut on 31 May 2000, in a friendly match against Ukraine. He was part of the squad for UEFA Euro 2000.
After a few years away from the national team, Barry was called back to the England squad in February 2007. He played in central midfield and helped England in their qualifying games. He was even named man of the match for England's qualifier against Estonia.
Barry scored his first international goal for England on 1 June 2008, against Trinidad and Tobago. He also captained England in the second half of that game. He scored his second goal against Kazakhstan in June 2009.
In 2010, Barry was chosen for the 23-man England squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He played in three games at the tournament, including the match against Germany where England lost 4–1.
On 12 November 2011, Barry earned his 50th cap for England in a 1–0 win over Spain. Just a few days later, on 15 November 2011, he scored England's 2,000th international goal in a friendly match against Sweden. Barry was selected for UEFA Euro 2012, but he had to pull out due to a groin injury.
Personal Life
Gareth Barry married his childhood sweetheart, Louise, in 2007. He is best friends with Michael Standing. They both signed for Aston Villa on the same day in 1997 and have known each other since they were ten years old. Barry's nephew, Bradley Barry, is also a professional footballer.
Since 2019, Barry has played cricket for Temple Grafton Cricket Club.
Images for kids
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Gareth Barry playing for Aston Villa in August 2006
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Barry in action against Icelandic club FH in 2008
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Gareth Barry playing for Everton in 2015
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Barry playing for England in September 2009
See also
In Spanish: Gareth Barry para niños
