Gareth Barry surprises fans as he comes out of retirement to sign for 12th tier club

Gareth Barry surprises fans as he comes out of retirement to sign for 12th tier club Hurstpierpoint FC, who he knows rather well it seems.

The 43 year old now prepares for life in the Mid Sussex Football League Championship division, of which his new club finished 6th in, out of 10 teams, picking up 21 points from 18 games played for the 2023/24 season, as per the the FA Full Time website.

In the league above, Westfield FC signed other former Premier League and EFL players in the likes of Charlie Daniels and Dan Gosling. See more on that HERE.

Hurstpierpoint FC said in their announcement via Twitter on the 22nd of July…

✍️ BARRY IS A BLUEDOG! 🔵🐶

“We are beyond delighted to announce that former-England international and all-time Premier League record appearance holder, Gareth Barry, has signed for Hurstpierpoint Football Club.

“Gareth has a long-standing association with the village through his good friend, and our Coach, Michael Standing; so it seemed an obvious move to get him involved with the football club.

“His quality in training has been unreal, so we’re all very excited to see him pull on the shirt and grace the Fairfield turf later on this season.

“Welcome to Hurstpierpoint, Gareth 💪”

✍️ BARRY IS A BLUEDOG! 🔵🐶

We are beyond delighted to announce that former-England international and all-time Premier League record appearance holder, Gareth Barry, has signed for Hurstpierpoint Football Club. pic.twitter.com/cMsrJcmm4o

— Hurstpierpoint FC (@hurstpierpoint1) July 22, 2024

It was only in August 2023 that Gareth Barry announced his retirement, bringing to a close quite the record-breaking career.

He’s the holder of the most Premier League appearances with 653 top-flight games to his name, for Aston Villa, Manchester City, Everton, and West Bromwich Albion over the course of his 22-year career.

Barry also represented England at the international level, making 53 appearances and scored 3 goals. He made his debut in 2000 and captained the team in 2010. He was also part of England’s squads at UEFA Euro 2000 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Barry launched his career at Aston Villa after moving from Brighton & Hove Albion as a young player, where he spent 12 years and captained the team.

He also made 441 appearances for Aston Villa, including 365 in the Premier League, and then in June 2009, he left for Manchester City for a fee of £12 million, winning the FA Cup in 2011 and the Premier League title the following season.

After a loan stint, he signed for Everton in July 2014 on a three-year contract, and later went to West Bromwich Albion in 2017, had three seasons there, and played with The Hawthorns outfit until his retirement in 2020.

HIS CAREER:

Youth career
1991–1997 – Brighton & Hove Albion
1997–1998 – Aston Villa

Senior career
1998–2009 – Aston Villa – 441 games (52 goals)
2009–2014 – Manchester City – 175 games (8 goals)
2013–2017 – Everton – 155 games (5 goals)
2017–2020 – West Bromwich Albion – 62 games (2 goals)
Total – 832 games (67 goals)

International career
1997–1998 – England U16 – 6 games (0 goals)
1998–1999 – England U18 – 5 games (0 goals)
1998–2003 – England U21 – 27 games (2 goals)
2007 – England B – 1 games (0 goals)
2000–2012 – England – 53 games (3 goals)

Honours

Aston Villa
UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2001

Manchester City
Premier League: 2011–12
FA Cup: 2010–11; runner-up 2012–13

Individual
Everton Player of the Season: 2015–16
Everton Players’ Player of the Season: 2015–16

As mentioned, Gareth Barry surprises fans as he comes out of retirement to sign for the 12th tier club…

@RHSportsMediia: What a signing 👏

@keyserSezSo: Congratulations in advance for your successive promotions. #avfc

@Theagate21: @FC1Westfield now this is a proper player! 😬😬😬😬

@BlueBren:
Top player and top fella.
Was brilliant at Everton.
Reads the game incredibly well.

@JakeGodfrey21: My old club doing bits.. once a bluedog always a bluedog 💙

@G27B92: Gwaaan GB

@SheridanSparkes: I beg your pardon

@AdamSimmo73: Like this 👏👏👏

@KaesoMusic: Gareth could never do what i did at left back for us 💙😏

@bluetom_tom: Defo still walks into our midfield

@LiamGreen___: WHAT THE FUCK 🤣🤣🤣🤣

@mj_freeman1: Will have to get down to Hurst for a game this year then 😂😂

@mickmckeownSNB: One of Evertons greatest frees if not the best 👍 quality player

@SussexWhites:
He stole a fucking taxi 🎶🎶
He thinks he’s playing GTA 🎶🎶

@BillyWood__: The Mid Sussex league is getting out of hand. LOVE IT!!! 😂❤️

@_RyBrown: Some player

@TrevPaine: May have to pop alone and see him play 👍

@mdh2007: 👏👏 look forward to welcoming him to the CCG

@ConnorOn95: Gareth Barry still looks like he could do a job for #EFC now. One of the most underrated players in recent memory for the Blues. Good to see him still going aged 43

@WillHugall: You are having a laugh 😂 The @midsussexleague is crazy this season! 😅

@mogs157: Bet hes still fuckin class

@linney_pete: Considering he ain’t played in years that an excellent signing

@cjhancock21: He was a brilliant signing for Everton, true professional with a winning attitude. I am sure he will be brilliant for you, and your fans.

@matchwornshirt1: Love this, more top flight players should do this! Well done Gareth Barry

@heyit5sam: Convinced non league gets bigger scoops than the top tier. Came out of retirement to sign

@_WbaCharlie: do a job for us in midfield still