 He turned professional in August 2001, but was released in May 2003 without making his first team debut for Stoke, signing for local side Stone Dominoes and subsequently moving on to Kidsgrove Athletic.He joined Barnsley in August 2003.He was understudy to first Saša Ilić and then Marlon Beresford, but finally made his league debut on 12 April 2004 in a 3–3 draw at home to Queens Park Rangers, replacing the injured Beresford midway through the first half.