 He made his debut against Newport County on 14 June 1947, and continued to play for the club for the next three years.Barnes joined Manchester City after a £750 move from non-League Stafford Rangers on 6 May 1950.He did not feature in the first team on a regular basis for several years – his debut, against Derby County on 5 January 1952 was the only appearance he made in his first four years at the club.