# Graham Barrett

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Graham_Barrett
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Graham_Barrett.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Barrett
> Source revision: 1311445083
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

**Graham Barrett** (born 6 October 1981) is an Irish former professional [footballer](/source/Association_football) who played as a [forward](/source/Forward_(association_football)).

He began his footballing career at [Arsenal](/source/Arsenal_F.C.), where he won the [FA Youth Cup](/source/FA_Youth_Cup).[3] He went on to feature for English clubs [Bristol Rovers](/source/Bristol_Rovers_F.C.), [Crewe Alexandra](/source/Crewe_Alexandra_F.C.), [Colchester United](/source/Colchester_United_F.C.) and [Brighton & Hove Albion](/source/Brighton_%26_Hove_Albion_F.C.). He also appeared for [Coventry City](/source/Coventry_City_F.C.) and [Sheffield Wednesday](/source/Sheffield_Wednesday_F.C.). Barrett as well had spells with Scottish sides [Livingston](/source/Livingston_F.C.), [Falkirk](/source/Falkirk_F.C.) and [St Johnstone](/source/St_Johnstone_F.C.). He then joined up with Irish outfit [Shamrock Rovers](/source/Shamrock_Rovers_F.C.), with whom he won a League of Ireland championship medal. Barrett also played as an international for the [Republic of Ireland national team](/source/Republic_of_Ireland_national_football_team).[3]

## Club career

### Arsenal

Born in [Dublin](/source/Dublin), Ireland, Barrett signed professional terms with [Arsenal](/source/Arsenal_F.C.) in October 1998. He made his debut for the Gunners as a late substitute for [Thierry Henry](/source/Thierry_Henry) in a 3–0 victory at [Leicester City](/source/Leicester_City_F.C.) in December 1999[4][5] He also featured as a substitute in their 4–1 win over [Sunderland](/source/Sunderland_A.F.C.) the following month.[4]

Having already won the [1998 UEFA Under-16 Championship](/source/1998_UEFA_European_Under-16_Championship) with Ireland, Barrett then captained [Arsenal's youth team](/source/Arsenal_F.C._Academy) to win the [2000](/source/FA_Youth_Cup_Finals_of_the_2000s) [FA Youth Cup](/source/FA_Youth_Cup). During one of the final's two legs he received the [man of the match](/source/Man_of_the_match) award. Following such Gunners' manager [Arsène Wenger](/source/Ars%C3%A8ne_Wenger) encouraged Barrett to go out on loan to gain some experience. As so he joined up with club [Bristol Rovers](/source/Bristol_Rovers_F.C.) in December 2000. However he played just 20 minutes under [Ian Holloway](/source/Ian_Holloway), and was diagnosed with [glandular fever](/source/Infectious_mononucleosis) thus losing a stone in weight and spending six-months on the sidelines.[5]

During the [2001–02 season](/source/2001%E2%80%9302_in_English_football), Barrett again went out on loan, this time to [Crewe Alexandra](/source/Crewe_Alexandra_F.C.), where he made three appearances in his month-long loan stint. He then returned to Arsenal before Wenger agreed to allow him to join [Colchester United](/source/Colchester_United_F.C.) on loan in December 2001. Barrett quickly became a fan favorite at the club, in scoring a brace during a 3–2 win against [Northampton Town](/source/Northampton_Town_F.C.) on Boxing Day 2001. These were his first goals in professional football in only his third game with the U's. Barrett then netted a further two goals in 20 games for Colchester, but an injury suffered during a 0–0 draw with [Wycombe Wanderers](/source/Wycombe_Wanderers_F.C.) curtailed the rest of his season. As a mark of respect, United fans dressed in green in their final home game of the season, in a nod to Barrett's Irish roots. Colchester manager [Steve Whitton](/source/Steve_Whitton) thus sought to have Barrett back at [Layer Road](/source/Layer_Road) for the following season. With this being said he opted to go to [Brighton & Hove Albion](/source/Brighton_%26_Hove_Albion_F.C.) on a season-long loan deal. Prior to joining Brighton he made his full international debut for [Ireland](/source/Republic_of_Ireland_national_football_team) in August 2002. This came after having made 24 appearances for the [under-21s](/source/Republic_of_Ireland_national_under-21_football_team) and representing Ireland at every age group since turning 15. He also scored in a pre-season friendly for Arsenal against [Stevenage](/source/Stevenage_F.C.).[6] With Brighton, Barrett managed to attain 20 league starts, making a further ten appearances as a substitute, but again suffered a series of niggling injuries that held back his progress.[7] At Brighton he also scored once against [Sheffield United](/source/Sheffield_United).[8]

### Coventry City

Barrett was released from [Highbury](/source/Arsenal_Stadium) in May 2003, joining [Coventry City](/source/Coventry_City_F.C.) on a three-year deal on 30 May.[9] Barrett's injury problems continued while with the Sky Blues, where he made 32 league starts and made 23 substitute appearances in two seasons, scoring six goals. He joined [Sheffield Wednesday](/source/Sheffield_Wednesday_F.C.) on the loan deadline day in March 2005, where he scored once against [Torquay United](/source/Torquay_United) in six appearances.[10] Barrett was told by manager [Micky Adams](/source/Micky_Adams) that he was free to leave the club despite having one year remaining on his contract.[11] Despite this he remained at Coventry, but, out of the first-team picture, went on loan to Scotland with [Livingston](/source/Livingston_F.C.). He played just six games for the club before suffering a season-ending knee injury.[7]

### Falkirk

Signing a two-year with Scottish side [Falkirk](/source/Falkirk_F.C.) following his release from Coventry in August 2006, with the Bairns' medical staff satisfied with his rehabilitation after his serious knee injury the previous season.[12] Once again though, Barrett suffered further injuries, requiring an operation on his knee in October 2006. He returned to action for the [2007–08 season](/source/2007%E2%80%9308_in_Scottish_football),[7] going on to sign a one-year contract extension in March 2008.[13] After three operations and later being informed that his injury had been misdiagnosed, Barrett left Falkirk after manager [John Hughes](/source/John_Hughes_(footballer_born_1964)) sat him down and told him he would never be the player he was before suffering his injuries.[5] He was released from the club in January 2009.[14] He had scored eight goals in 48 league games at the [Falkirk Stadium](/source/Falkirk_Stadium).[2]

### St Johnstone

After going on trial with [Heart of Midlothian](/source/Heart_of_Midlothian_F.C.), [St Johnstone](/source/St_Johnstone_F.C.) stepped in to sign Barrett after Hearts decided against handing him a deal. He was brought in to cover a spate of injuries amongst St Johnstones' forwards in February 2009.[15] After nine appearances and one goal against [Airdrieonians](/source/Airdrieonians_F.C.),[2][16] Barrett was released by the club in the summer of 2009.[17]

### Shamrock Rovers

Barrett returned to his native Ireland with [Shamrock Rovers](/source/Shamrock_Rovers_F.C.) in August 2009.[18] In his two seasons with the club, he amassed 21 appearances and scored once, but he still struggled with persistent injuries, holding him back from progressing and making a greater number of appearances. He finally had to admit defeat in the [2010 season](/source/2010_Shamrock_Rovers_F.C._season), playing his last game in July 2010, meaning he could not play a part in the chase for the [League of Ireland](/source/League_of_Ireland) title. His manager at Rovers, [Michael O'Neill](/source/Michael_O'Neill_(footballer)), advised Barrett to assess his options, warning that he would "*need to be careful and think about a few years' time.*" As The Hoops went on to take the League of Ireland title, Barrett was still eligible for a league winners medal.[5]

## International career

Barrett represented the Republic of Ireland since the age of 15.[7] He was a part of the Irish side which won the [1998 UEFA European Under-16 Championship](/source/1998_UEFA_European_Under-16_Championship) in Scotland.[5] He went on to play eleven under-18 games for Ireland, scoring four goals.

Barrett then scored on his senior debut for Ireland in a 3–0 victory over [Finland](/source/Finland_national_football_team).[19]

## Personal life

Having grown up close to [Tallaght](/source/Tallaght), Barrett followed his father, Gary, in playing for Shamrock Rovers. Gary began his playing career with Shamrock Rovers in 1980 under [Johnny Giles](/source/Johnny_Giles), where he scored a number of goals. This factor was a draw to Graham when joining the club himself in 2009.[20] His son, [Cian Barrett](/source/Cian_Barrett), made his Shamrock Rovers first team debut in 2023.[21]

## Career statistics

### Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Total Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Arsenal 1999–2000[22] Premier League 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2000–01[23] 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2001–02[24] 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2002–03[25] 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 2 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 Bristol Rovers (loan) 2000–01[26] Second Division 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Crewe Alexandra (loan) 2001–02[27] First Division 3 0 0 0 1 0 4 0 Colchester United (loan) 2001–02[28] Second Division 20 4 0 0 0 0 20 4 Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) 2002–03[29] First Division 30 1 1 0 0 0 31 1 Coventry City 2003–04[30] First Division 31 2 0 0 2 1 33 3 2004–05[31] Championship 24 4 0 0 2 0 26 4 2005–06[32] 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 55 6 0 0 4 1 59 7 Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 2004–05[33] League One 6 1 0 0 0 0 6 1 Livingston (loan) 2005–06[34] Scottish Premier League 6 0 0 0 1 0 7 0 Falkirk 2006–07[35] Scottish Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2007–08[36] 33 6 2 1 1 0 36 7 2008–09[37] 15 2 1 2 3 0 19 4 Total 48 8 3 3 4 0 55 11 St Johnstone 2008–09[38] Scottish First Division 9 1 0 0 0 0 9 1 Shamrock Rovers 2009 League of Ireland Premier Division 10 1 0 0 0 0 10 1 2010 11 0 0 0 0 0 11 0 Total 21 1 0 0 0 0 21 1 Career total 201 22 4 3 11 1 216 26

### International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[39] National team Year Apps Goals Republic of Ireland 2002 1 1 2004 5 1 Total 6 2

- *Scores and results list the Republic of Ireland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Barrett goal.*

List of international goals scored by Graham Barrett No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1 21 August 2002 Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland Finland 3–0 3–0 Friendly[40] 2 2 June 2004 The Valley, London, England Jamaica 1–0 1–0 2004 Unity Cup[41]

## Honours

**Arsenal**

- [FA Youth Cup](/source/FA_Youth_Cup): [2000](/source/FA_Youth_Cup_Finals_of_the_2000s)[42]

**Shamrock Rovers**[3]

- [League of Ireland Premier Division](/source/League_of_Ireland_Premier_Division): [2010](/source/2010_League_of_Ireland)

**Republic of Ireland**

- [Unity Cup](/source/Unity_Cup) runner-up: [2004](/source/2004_Unity_Cup)

**Republic of Ireland U16**[3]

- [UEFA European Under-16 Championship](/source/UEFA_European_Under-16_Championship): [1998](/source/1998_UEFA_European_Under-16_Championship)

- *All honours referenced by:*[5][43]

## References

1. ["Colchester United – Player profile"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140203065615/http://www.coludata.co.uk/player.asp?pid=645). Coludata.co.uk. Archived from [the original](http://coludata.co.uk/player.asp?pid=645) on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 9 September 2013.

1. ["Graham Barrett – Football Stats – Soccer Base"](http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=18804). Soccerbase. Retrieved 9 September 2013.

1. ["Graham Barrett"](https://int.soccerway.com/players/graham-barrett/13008/). *Soccerway*

1. ["Graham Barrett – Arsenal.com"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130930213954/http://www.arsenal.com/history/profiles/31/graham-barrett). Arsenal FC. Archived from [the original](http://www.arsenal.com/history/profiles/31/graham-barrett) on 30 September 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2013.

1. ["Barrett's cruel decline robbed Ireland of a star"](http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/barretts-cruel-decline-robbed-ireland-of-a-star-26688017.html). *Irish Independent*. Retrieved 9 September 2013.

1. ["Arsenal thrash Stevenage"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/2135589.stm). [BBC](/source/BBC). 18 July 2002. Retrieved 24 September 2015.

1. Whitehead, Jeff & Drury, Kevin (2008). *The Who's Who of Colchester United: The Layer Road Years*. Derby: Breedon Books. pp. 23, 24. ISBN 978-1-85983-629-3.

1. ["Brighton 2-4 Sheff Utd"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/2313841.stm). [BBC](/source/BBC). 19 October 2002. Retrieved 24 September 2015.

1. ["Coventry sign Arsenal striker"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/coventry_city/2941094.stm). BBC Sport. 30 May 2003. Retrieved 9 September 2013.

1. ["Sheffield Wed 2-2 Torquay"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_2/4363869.stm). [BBC](/source/BBC). 26 March 2005. Retrieved 24 September 2015.

1. ["Coventry opt to release quintet"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/coventry_city/4536881.stm). BBC Sport. 11 May 2005. Retrieved 10 September 2013.

1. ["Barrett completes Falkirk signing"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/f/falkirk/5235952.stm). BBC Sport. August 2006. Retrieved 10 September 2013.

1. ["Barrett extends Falkirk contract"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/f/falkirk/7290565.stm). BBC Sport. 11 March 2008. Retrieved 10 September 2013.

1. ["SPL ins and outs"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/7812432.stm). BBC Sport. 21 January 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2013.

1. ["Saints sign former Bairn Barrett"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/st_johnstone/7908526.stm). BBC Sport. 24 February 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2013.

1. ["Airdrie United 0-4 St Johnstone"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_div_1/8043425.stm). [BBC](/source/BBC). 11 May 2009. Retrieved 24 September 2015.

1. ["Queens secure Holmes from Saints"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/q/queen_of_the_south/8050824.stm). BBC Sport. 14 May 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2013.

1. ["Graham Barrett signs for Shamrock Rovers FC"](http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/graham-barrett-signs-shamrock-rovers-3079058). *Coventry Telegraph*. 28 August 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2013.

1. ["Keane inspires Republic"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/republic_of_ireland/2207223.stm). BBC Sport. 21 August 2002. Retrieved 10 September 2013.

1. ["Barrett homes in on career revival"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100222083647/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=irl/news/newsid=881439.html). UEFA. Archived from [the original](http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=irl/news/newsid=881439.html) on 22 February 2010. Retrieved 10 September 2013.

1. Fitzmaurice, Aidan (18 April 2024). ["'He's carrying on the tradition through his family' – Stephen Bradley heaps praise on Cian Barrett"](https://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/hes-carrying-on-the-tradition-through-his-family-stephen-bradley-heaps-praise-on-cian-barrett/a1362682347.html). *Irish Independent*. Retrieved 19 April 2024.

1. ["Arsenal 1999/2000 player appearances"](http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=142&teamTabs=stats). Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2013. Select season required via dropdown menu.

1. ["Arsenal 2000/2001 player appearances"](http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=142&teamTabs=stats). Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2013. Select season required via dropdown menu.

1. ["Arsenal 2001/2002 player appearances"](http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=142&teamTabs=stats). Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2013. Select season required via dropdown menu.

1. ["Arsenal 2002/2003 player appearances"](http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=142&teamTabs=stats). Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2013. Select season required via dropdown menu.

1. ["Bristol R 2000/2001 player appearances"](http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=388&teamTabs=stats). Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2013. Select season required via dropdown menu.

1. ["Crewe 2001/2002 player appearances"](http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=652&teamTabs=stats). Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2013. Select season required via dropdown menu.

1. ["Colchester 2001/2002 player appearances"](http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=612&teamTabs=stats). Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2013. Select season required via dropdown menu.

1. ["Brighton 2002/2003 player appearances"](http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=381&teamTabs=stats). Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2013. Select season required via dropdown menu.

1. ["Coventry 2003/2004 player appearances"](http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=621&teamTabs=stats). Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2013. Select season required via dropdown menu.

1. ["Coventry 2004/2005 player appearances"](http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=621&teamTabs=stats). Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2013. Select season required via dropdown menu.

1. ["Coventry 2005/2006 player appearances"](http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=621&teamTabs=stats). Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2013. Select season required via dropdown menu.

1. ["Sheff Wed 2004/2005 player appearances"](http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2330&teamTabs=stats). Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2013. Select season required via dropdown menu.

1. ["Livingston 2005/2006 player appearances"](http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=1634&teamTabs=stats). Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2013. Select season required via dropdown menu.

1. ["Falkirk 2006/2007 player appearances"](http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=955&teamTabs=stats). Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2013. Select season required via dropdown menu.

1. ["Falkirk 2007/2008 player appearances"](http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=955&teamTabs=stats). Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2013. Select season required via dropdown menu.

1. ["Falkirk 2008/2009 player appearances"](http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=955&teamTabs=stats). Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2013. Select season required via dropdown menu.

1. ["St Johnstone 2008/2009 player appearances"](http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2472&teamTabs=stats). Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2013. Select season required via dropdown menu.

1. ["Finland v Republic of Ireland, 21 August 2002"](http://www.11v11.com/matches/finland-v-republic-of-ireland-21-august-2002-249347/). 11v11.com. Retrieved 10 September 2013.

1. ["Jamaica v Republic of Ireland, 02 June 2004"](http://www.11v11.com/matches/jamaica-v-republic-of-ireland-02-june-2004-253329/). 11v11.com. Retrieved 10 September 2013.

1. ["Class Of 2000"](http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20151204/class-of-2000). *Arsenal.com*

1. ["FA Youth Cup"](http://coludaybyday.co.uk/Statistics/Player%20Stats/PlayerHonours/PlayerFAYouthCup.html). Coludaybyday.co.uk. Retrieved 10 September 2013.

Ireland v Italy programme 12/11/2021

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Graham Barrett](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Barrett) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Barrett?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.