Ashley Barnes
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Ashley Barnes
| image = Ashley Barnes 26042025 (3).jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Barnes in 2025
| fullname = Ashley Luke Barnes{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/612828 |title=Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed |publisher=Premier League |date=2 February 2018 |access-date=10 February 2018}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|10|30|df=y}}{{cite book |editor-first=Barry J. |editor-last=Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11 |year=2010 |publisher=Mainstream Publishing |location=Edinburgh |isbn=978-1-84596-601-0 |page=33}}
| birth_place = Bath, England
| height = {{convert|1.86|m|order=flip}}{{cite web |url=https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/teams/first-team/forward/ashley-barnes/ |title=Ashley Barnes |publisher=Burnley F.C. |access-date=5 February 2019 |archive-date=4 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804215352/https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/teams/first-team/forward/ashley-barnes/ |url-status=dead }}
| position = Striker
| currentclub = Burnley
| clubnumber = 35
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 =
| years1 = {{0|0000}}–2007
| clubs1 = Paulton Rovers
| caps1 =
| goals1 =
| years2 = 2007–2010
| clubs2 = Plymouth Argyle
| caps2 = 22
| goals2 = 2
| years3 = 2007
| clubs3 = → Oxford United (loan)
| caps3 = 3
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2008
| clubs4 = → Salisbury City (loan)
| caps4 = 5
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2008–2009
| clubs5 = → Eastbourne Borough (loan)
| caps5 = 8
| goals5 = 5
| years6 = 2010
| clubs6 = → Torquay United (loan)
| caps6 = 6
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2010
| clubs7 = → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan)
| caps7 = 8
| goals7 = 4
| years8 = 2010–2014
| clubs8 = Brighton & Hove Albion
| caps8 = 141
| goals8 = 42
| years9 = 2014–2023
| clubs9 = Burnley
| caps9 = 268
| goals9 = 51
| years10 = 2023–2025
| clubs10 = Norwich City
| caps10 = 43
| goals10 = 6
| years11 = 2025–
| clubs11 = Burnley
| caps11 = 13
| goals11 = 1
| nationalyears1 = 2008
| nationalteam1 = Austria U20
| nationalcaps1 = 1
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| club-update = 17:01, 3 May 2025 (UTC)
}}
Ashley Luke Barnes (born 30 October 1989) is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for {{English football updater|Burnley}} club Burnley.{{citenews|url= https://www.canaries.co.uk/content/barnes-departs-for-burnley|title= Barnes departs for Burnley|publisher=Norwich City F.C.|date=2 January 2025}} Barnes is considered by many as a modern-day Burnley legend for his longevity, big goals, work ethic, and embodiment of the club’s identity during a golden period which includes 4 promotions to the Premier League, two top-ten finishes and a massive role in Burnley's qualification to the Europa League in 2017/18, their first European finish since 1966/67 .{{Cite web |last=McDougall |first=John |date=2023-05-09 |title=Kompany on 'legend' Barnes, Burnley message in final appearance and transfer vow |url=https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/football-news/ashley-barnes-vincent-kompany-burnley-26871769 |access-date=2025-06-27 |website=Lancs Live |language=en}}
Barnes previously played for Paulton Rovers, Plymouth Argyle, Oxford United, Salisbury City, Eastbourne Borough, Torquay United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Norwich City. He was capped by Austria at youth international level, making one appearance for their under-20 team in 2008, but his application for Austrian citizenship was rejected in 2019.
Club career
=Early career and Plymouth Argyle=
As a child, Barnes played for Bath Arsenal, where his teammates included fellow future professional Scott Sinclair and was briefly in the academy of Bristol Rovers before being released.{{cite web|url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/8836110.goal-was-extra-special-for-barnes/|title=Goal was extra special for Barnes|publisher=The Argus|last1=Owen|first1=Brian|date=7 February 2023|accessdate=13 February 2023}} He began his senior career as a prolific goalscorer with local club Paulton Rovers of the Southern League. He had an extended trial with Championship club Plymouth Argyle in March 2007, and sufficiently impressed to be awarded with an eighteen-month contract by the club, having scored several goals for the reserve team.{{cite news |title=Paulton striker impresses Argyle |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/plymouth_argyle/6347653.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 February 2007 |access-date=1 October 2008}} He made his Plymouth debut in the first round of the League Cup in August 2007 against Wycombe Wanderers, coming on as a substitute for first-team regular Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.{{cite news |title=Plymouth 2–1 Wycombe |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/6941834.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 August 2007 |access-date=1 October 2008}}
He subsequently found first-team opportunities hard to come by, and was sent on loan to Conference side Oxford United in November 2007 to gain some experience.{{cite news |title=Oxford sign deadline day strikers |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/o/oxford_utd/7107832.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 November 2007 |access-date=1 October 2008}} Barnes featured five times for Oxford United, including two FA Cup ties against Southend United, before returning to Plymouth. He was sent out on loan again in March 2008 to another Conference club, this time to Salisbury City.{{cite news |title=Salisbury bring in Barnes on loan |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/salisbury/7285607.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 March 2008 |access-date=1 October 2008}} He featured in five league matches for the club but did not find the back of the net.
Barnes was loaned out for a third time in November 2008 to Eastbourne Borough, with teammate Daniel Smith.{{cite news |date=27 November 2008 |url=http://www.pafc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~1468498,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805150108/http://www.pafc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~1468498,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 August 2012 |title=On the way |publisher=pafc.co.uk |access-date=27 November 2008}} He impressed enough for his loan to be extended by a month,{{cite news |date=5 January 2009 |url=http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~1509471,00.html |title=Loan extension |publisher=pafc.co.uk |access-date=6 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430225040/http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10364~1509471%2C00.html |archive-date=30 April 2009}} before he was recalled by Plymouth Argyle in January 2009, ahead of the club's match against Bristol City.{{cite news |date=27 January 2009 |url=http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~1534218,00.html |title=Ashley called back |publisher=pafc.co.uk |access-date=28 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722181904/http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10364~1534218%2C00.html |archive-date=22 July 2011}} He made his league debut for the Pilgrims against Wolves at Molineux, scoring his first goal for the club against Coventry City. His performances at the back-end of the 2008–09 season were rewarded when he signed a two-year contract extension in May 2009.{{cite news |date=6 May 2009 |url=http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~1645008,00.html |title=New deal for Ash |publisher=pafc.co.uk |access-date=14 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509085952/http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10364~1645008%2C00.html |archive-date=9 May 2009}}
He joined League Two club Torquay United on loan until the end of the season in February 2010,{{cite news |date=9 February 2010 |url=http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~1960089,00.html |title=Ash To Plainmoor |publisher=pafc.co.uk |access-date=14 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100212051251/http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10364~1960089%2C00.html |archive-date=12 February 2010 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |date=10 February 2010 |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12875_5935039,00.html |title=Barnes capture delights Buckle |publisher=skysports.com |access-date=14 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100317023657/http://www.skysports.com/story/0%2C19528%2C12875_5935039%2C00.html |archive-date=17 March 2010 |url-status=live}} but returned a month later having made six appearances.{{cite news |date=12 March 2010 |url=http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~1991607,00.html |title=Barnesy back |publisher=pafc.co.uk |access-date=12 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100315125536/http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10364~1991607%2C00.html |archive-date=15 March 2010}}
=Brighton & Hove Albion=
File:Ashley Barnes Brighton vs Spurs.jpg in 2011]]
File:Ashley Barnes Brighton.jpg
Barnes subsequently joined League One club Brighton & Hove Albion on loan until the end of the season.{{cite news |date=25 March 2010 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brighton/8587183.stm |title=Brighton make double loan signing |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=2 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328175237/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brighton/8587183.stm |archive-date=28 March 2010 |url-status=live}} He scored on his debut against Tranmere Rovers two days later, having been introduced as a substitute ten minutes earlier.{{cite news |date=27 March 2010 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8568156.stm |title=Brighton 3–0 Tranmere |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=2 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100401054052/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8568156.stm |archive-date=1 April 2010 |url-status=live}}
On 8 July 2010, Barnes signed a two-year contract with Brighton & Hove Albion after transferring for an undisclosed fee from Plymouth Argyle.{{cite web |url=http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/Latest/0,,10433~2086784,00.html |title=Barnes is back |publisher=Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. |date=8 July 2010 |access-date=8 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100710184325/http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/Latest/0%2C%2C10433~2086784%2C00.html |archive-date=10 July 2010 |url-status=dead }} On 12 April 2011, he scored the decisive goal in a 4–3 win at home against Dagenham & Redbridge, which confirmed their promotion to the Championship.{{cite web |last=Fletcher |first=Paul |title=Brighton 4–3 Dag & Red |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/12968187.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=13 April 2011 |date=11 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110413033537/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/12968187.stm |archive-date=13 April 2011 |url-status=live}} Barnes finished the season as Brighton's second-top goalscorer behind Glenn Murray, with 20 goals in 49 appearances.
In the 2011–12 season Barnes remained a first-choice striker for Brighton's return to the Championship. He finished the season as Brighton's leading goalscorer with 14 goals in all competitions, 11 in the league.
On 9 March 2013, Barnes received a red card in stoppage time against Bolton Wanderers for attempting to trip up the referee. He was subsequently handed a seven-match suspension by the Football Association.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21804556 |title=Ashley Barnes: FA extends striker's ban to seven games |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 March 2013}} Fans and manager Gus Poyet were critical of Barnes for this action as it left the club with only one senior striker available to play, as Craig Mackail-Smith and Will Hoskins were already injured for the rest of the season. On his return from the ban on 20 April, Barnes scored two goals in a 6–1 win over Blackpool and was named man of the match.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}}
=Burnley=
On 10 January 2014, Barnes joined Burnley for an undisclosed fee on a three-and-a-half-year deal.{{cite web |title=Burnley sign Barnes from Brighton |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25681552 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 January 2014 |access-date=10 January 2014}} On 8 November, he scored the only goal at Turf Moor to defeat Hull City and gain Burnley's first win of the Premier League season.{{cite news |last1=Abraham |first1=Timothy |title=Burnley 1–0 Hull |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29860234 |access-date=8 November 2014 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 November 2014}} He scored a second goal on 13 December, the sole goal in a home victory over Southampton to take Burnley out of the relegation zone.{{cite news |last1=Sanghera |first1=Mandeep |title=Burnley 1–0 Southampton |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30357668 |access-date=14 December 2014 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 December 2014}} In November 2019, Barnes signed a new contract with Burnley until June 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/uk_national_sport/18021509.barnes-signs-new-burnley-contract-wants-stay-retirement/|title=Barnes signs new Burnley contract and wants to stay until retirement|access-date=7 November 2019|website=Darlington and Stockton Times|archive-date=7 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107140540/https://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/uk_national_sport/18021509.barnes-signs-new-burnley-contract-wants-stay-retirement/|url-status=dead}}
In February 2015, Barnes performed a high tackle on Chelsea's Nemanja Matić, who was sent off for pushing him in retaliation. Barnes did not receive a booking for the challenge, and The FA confirmed that they would not take retrospective action as that was not normal procedure for attempted tackles.{{cite news |title=Ashley Barnes escapes FA disciplinary action over horror tackle on Nemanja Matic |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/ashley-barnes-escapes-fa-disciplinary-action-over-horror-tackle-on-nemanja-matic-31014780.html |access-date=24 February 2019 |work=Irish Independent |date=23 February 2015}} Barnes was publicly criticised by Chelsea manager José Mourinho, and said of the criticism "I found that hilarious".{{cite news |last1=Hunter |first1=Andy |title=Ashley Barnes: 'I got a text saying Mourinho had gone on TV to criticise me. I found it funny' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/apr/10/ashley-barnes-burnley-jose-mourinho-matic-chelsea-arsenal |access-date=24 February 2019 |work=The Guardian |date=10 April 2015}}
On 24 May 2015, as relegated Burnley finished the season with a win over Aston Villa, Barnes was taken off with knee cruciate ligament injuries, which would rule him out for the majority of the following campaign.{{cite news |title=Ashley Barnes: Burnley striker to miss most of next season |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32908544 |access-date=28 May 2015 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 May 2015}}
On 3 March 2018, he wrote himself into the history books, scoring his 16th goal in the Premier League to secure a 2–1 victory for Burnley against Everton. His 16th goal, and his 6th of the season, made him Burnley's leading scorer in the Premier League since it was formed in 1992.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43178518 |title=Burnley 2–1 Everton |date=3 March 2018 |publisher=BBC Sport}}{{cite web |url=https://www.whoscored.com/Players/33386/History/Ashley-Barnes |title=Ashley Barnes – History |website=www.whoscored.com}}
On 13 April 2019, Barnes was booked "in the strangest of circumstances" for kissing defender Joe Bennett during a match against Cardiff City.{{cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/13/ashley-barnes-booked-mike-dean-planting-kiss-cardiff-opponent-joe-bennett-9197383/|title=Ashley Barnes booked by Mike Dean for planting kiss on Cardiff opponent Joe Bennett|website=Metro.co.uk|date=13 April 2019|access-date=15 April 2019}}
On 21 January 2021, Barnes scored the only goal via a penalty in a 1–0 away league win over champions Liverpool, handing them their first league defeat at Anfield in 68 matches and sealed the Clarets' first win at Liverpool since 1974.{{cite news |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/article/liverpools-68-match-unbeaten-epl-home-run-ended-burnley/|title=Liverpool's 68-match unbeaten EPL home run ended by Burnley |publisher=Sportsnet |date=21 January 2021|access-date=3 April 2021}} This ended Liverpool's unbeaten home run in the league which stretched back to April 2017.{{cite news |last=Hafez|first=Shamoon|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55657090 |title=Liverpool 0–1 Burnley: Ashley Barnes scores winner as Reds' unbeaten run ends |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 January 2021|access-date=21 January 2021}} With Barnes also totalling the 100th goal of his senior career.{{cite web |url=https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/content/something-special-barnes |title=Something Special - Barnes |publisher=Burnley Football Club |date=21 January 2021|access-date=21 January 2021}}
His 50th league goal for Burnley in a 2–1 away win against Middlesbrough helped to seal Burnley's promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65133537 |title=Middlesbrough 1–2 Burnley: Vincent Kompany's Clarets win promotion to Premier League |first=Ian |last=Woodcock |website=BBC Sport |date=7 April 2023 |access-date=4 July 2024}} This was Barnes' third promotion to the top flight with Burnley. Post-match, Barnes confirmed that he would leave Burnley at the end of his contract in June 2023 after nine years with the club.{{cite news |url=https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/football-news/ashley-barnes-burnley-leaving-breaking-26657410 |title=Ashley Barnes confirms Burnley future decision moments after achieving Premier League promotion |first=John |last=McDougall |website=Lancs Live |date=7 April 2023 |access-date=4 April 2024}} He scored for Burnley on his final appearance for the club in a 3–0 win against Cardiff City at Turf Moor and received a standing ovation as he departed the field.{{cite news |url=https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/football-news/ashley-barnes-vincent-kompany-burnley-26871769 |title=Vincent Kompany on 'legend' Ashley Barnes, Burnley message in final appearance and transfer vow |first=John |last=McDougall |website=LancsLive |date=9 May 2023 |access-date=4 July 2024}}
= Norwich City =
File:Ashley Barnes Norwich City FC visits RAF Mildenhall (8356479) (cropped).jpg
On 17 May 2023, Norwich City announced the signing of Barnes, effective upon expiry of his Burnley contract on 1 July.{{Cite news |date=17 May 2023 |title=Norwich sign Burnley forward Barnes |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65625455 |access-date=18 May 2023}} He made his debut for them in the first match of the season on 5 August, starting in a 2–1 win against Hull alongside fellow striker Josh Sargent, although it was Adam Idah, the player who replaced him as a substitute, who scored the winning goal.{{Cite news |date=5 August 2023 |title=Norwich 2–1 Hull City |work=Sky Sports |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/norwich-city-vs-hull-city/report/484706 |access-date=13 February 2025}} He remained in the starting line-up and scored his first goal for Norwich on 20 August against Millwall{{Cite news |date=21 August 2023 |title=Norwich 3–1 Millwall: Canaries stay unbeaten |work=Sky Sports |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12309/12941692/norwich-3-1-millwall-canaries-stay-unbeaten-in-championship-after-breezing-past-listless-lions |access-date=13 February 2025}} and added a second with a penalty in the following match against Huddersfield Town.{{Cite news |date=26 August 2023 |title=Huddersfield Town 0–4 Norwich City |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66552248 |access-date=13 February 2025}} His run in the first team ended on 20 September when he was injured in a 2–0 defeat to Leicester City.{{Cite news |date=20 September 2023 |title=Norwich 0–2 Leicester |work=Sky Sports |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/norwich-city-vs-leicester-city/report/484784 |access-date=13 February 2025}} He returned to the side on 25 November, starting a 1–0 win over Queens Park Rangers.{{Cite news |date=25 November 2023 |title=Norwich City 1–0 Queens Park Rangers |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67459831 |access-date=13 February 2025}} He would play in the majority of Norwich's remaining games, appearing in 35 of the 46 league games (including 5 as a substitute) and contributing 6 league goals, as well as scoring in an FA Cup tie with Bristol Rovers.{{Cite news |date=6 January 2024 |title=Norwich City 1–1 Bristol Rovers: Pirates frustrate Canaries |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67894642 |access-date=13 February 2025}} Norwich finished the season in sixth and qualified for the Championship play-offs, but they would end in embarrassment for Norwich, with Barnes making what would be one of his last appearances for the club in a 4–0 defeat at Leeds United.{{Cite news |date=17 May 2024 |title=Leeds 4–0 Norwich |work=Sky Sports |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/leeds-united-vs-norwich-city/report/504568 |access-date=13 February 2025}}
Following the end of the season, Barnes underwent surgery for a calf injury. Although he had hoped to return sooner, a setback meant he missed the first three months of the season.{{Cite news |date=7 November 2024 |title=Ashley Barnes considered retirement during injury nightmare |work=Norwich Evening News |url=https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/sport/24704994.ashley-barnes-considered-retirement-injury-nightmare/ |access-date=13 February 2025}} He finally returned to the side when he came on as an 83rd minute substitute for Borja Sainz in a 6–1 win over his old club Plymouth on 26 November 2024.{{Cite news |date=26 November 2024 |title=Norwich 6–1 Plymouth |work=Sky Sports |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/norwich-vs-plymouth/report/509538 |access-date=13 February 2025}} However, he failed to regain his place in the side, with his only start being in a 0–0 draw against Portsmouth on 10 December, where he was substituted for Onel Hernandez after 68 minutes.{{Cite news |date=10 December 2024 |title=Portsmouth 0–0 Norwich City: Pompey stretch unbeaten run |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cevggx9ldy8t|access-date=13 February 2025}} His other seven appearances of the season were all as a substitute, with him making his last appearance on 1 January 2025, coincidentally as a 68th minute substitute for Hernandez, in a 1–0 win over Luton Town.{{Cite news |date=1 January 2025 |title=Luton 0–1 Norwich |work=Sky Sports |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/luton-town-vs-norwich-city/report/509635 |access-date=13 February 2025}}
= Return to Burnley =
File: Ashley Barnes 26042025 (2).jpg
On 2 January 2025, Barnes rejoined Burnley on a free transfer until 30 June 2025 after leaving Norwich via mutual consent.{{Cite news |date=2 January 2025 |title=Ashley Barnes: Former Burnley Striker Barnes Rejoins Clarets from Norwich |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cy53dxz7ey2o |access-date=3 January 2025}}
On 20 May 2025, Burnley said it was discussing a new contract with the player.{{Cite web |date=2025-05-20 |title=Burnley release Nathan Redmond and Jonjo Shelvey after promotion to Premier League |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c9911x4ygjro |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}
International career
While born in Bath to English parents, it was believed that Barnes could qualify to represent Austria courtesy of his paternal grandmother, who was from Klagenfurt, if he were able to acquire Austrian citizenship.{{cite web |title=Burnley striker Ashley Barnes admits desire to play for Austria |url=http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/03/10/mn-burnley-striker-ashley-barnes-admits-desire-to-play-for-austr/ |publisher=HITC |date=20 March 2017 |access-date=20 March 2017 |archive-date=10 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110080356/https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/03/10/mn-burnley-striker-ashley-barnes-admits-desire-to-play-for-austr/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |date=1 August 2008 |url=http://paultonroversafc.co.uk/joomla/content/view/63/1/ |title=Ash Called Up For Austria |publisher=paultonroversafc.co.uk |access-date=14 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824034227/http://paultonroversafc.co.uk/joomla/content/view/63/1/ |archive-date=24 August 2011}} He was spotted by Austrian officials while on a pre-season tour with Plymouth Argyle in July 2008, and as a result he was called up to their Under-20 team to face Switzerland on 19 August 2008, the match was part of a four nation friendly tournament featuring Austria, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland.{{cite web |title=ÖFB MEDIAINFO 137/2008: FRANZÖSISCHE REFEREES BEI ITALIEN VS ÖSTERREICH/DIE ÖFB KADERLISTEN FÜR U20, U21 UND A-TEAM PLUS TERMINE FÜR DIE KOMMENDEN LÄNDERSPIELE |url=http://www.oefb.at/show_berichtdetail.php?ber_id=11455 |publisher=OFB |access-date=22 April 2014 |language=de |date=August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924002546/http://www.oefb.at/show_berichtdetail.php?ber_id=11455|archive-date=24 September 2016|url-status=dead }}
Barnes made his debut as a substitute in the 73rd minute replacing FC Wacker Innsbruck's Julius Perstaller in front of 250 spectators.{{cite web |title=VIELE CHANCEN, ABER DIE SCHWEIZ TRIFFT |url=http://www.oefb.at/show_berichtdetail.php?ber_id=11550 |publisher=OFB |access-date=22 April 2014 |language=de |date=August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924002602/http://www.oefb.at/show_berichtdetail.php?ber_id=11550|archive-date=24 September 2016|url-status=dead }}
Barnes said in April 2015 that he had had no further contact with the Austrian Football Association, and stated that he was open to representing either England or Austria at senior level if given the opportunity. In March 2017, whilst playing in the Premier League for Burnley, he again confirmed apparent eligibility for both England and Austria, and expressed a desire to represent the Austria national senior side. His form in the 2017–18 season led to calls in Austria for him to receive a national team call-up, and manager Franco Foda confirmed in March 2018 that he was monitoring Barnes.{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/austria/story/3403243/burnley-striker-ashley-barnes-being-monitored-by-austria-franco-foda |title=Austria coach monitoring Burnley's Barnes |date=2 March 2018 |website=ESPN.com}}
Barnes started his application for naturalisation as an Austrian citizen in 2018, but it was ultimately unsuccessful after it was rejected by the Austrian Ministry of the Interior in February 2019, thus confirming his ineligibility to represent Austria.{{cite web |url=https://www.tt.com/sport/fussball/15377305/innenministerium-legt-sich-fest-barnes-wird-kein-oesterreicher |title=Innenministerium legt sich fest: Barnes wird kein Österreicher |date=27 February 2019 |website=Tiroler Tageszeitung Online}}
Personal life
Barnes is from Dunkerton, Somerset, near Bath.{{cite web |url=http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/Delighted-Barnes-sets-sights-flight-Brighton/story-12305135-detail/story.html |title=Delighted Barnes sets sights on top flight with Brighton |date=21 April 2011 |publisher=Western Daily Press |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503203332/http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/Delighted-Barnes-sets-sights-flight-Brighton/story-12305135-detail/story.html |archive-date=3 May 2014 }} He attended Writhlington School, near Bath.{{cite web |url=https://www.writhlington.org.uk/sixth-form/alumni/ |title=Alumni – Writhlington School |website=www.writhlington.org.uk |access-date=17 April 2018 |archive-date=18 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618230616/https://www.writhlington.org.uk/sixth-form/alumni/ |url-status=dead }}
In 2019, Burnley grime artist Bacchus released a song titled 'Ashley Barnes' dedicated to the footballer and his gamesmanship.{{cite web |url=https://genius.com/Bacchus-ashley-barnes-lyrics |title=Ashley Barnes Lyrics |date=7 August 2019 |publisher=Genius}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 3 May 2025}}
{{notelist}}
Honours
Brighton & Hove Albion
- Football League One: 2010–11{{cite book |editor1-first=Glenda |editor1-last=Rollin |editor2-first=Jack |editor2-last=Rollin |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2011–2012 |year=2011 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-0-7553-6231-8 |pages=39, 104–105}}
Burnley
- Football League Championship / EFL Championship: 2015–16,{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/ashley-barnes/36301/ |title=A.Barnes - Profile |website=Soccerway |access-date=8 April 2023}} 2022–23;{{Cite web |last=Long |first=Dan |date=25 April 2023 |title=Blackburn Rovers 0-1 Burnley: Vincent Kompany's Clarets clinch Championship title after Manuel Benson stunner |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/12866055/blackburn-rovers-0-1-burnley-vincent-kompanys-clarets-clinch-championship-title-after-manuel-benson-stunner |access-date=25 April 2023 |website=Sky Sports}} second-place promotion: 2013–14
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/teams/first-team/forward/ashley-barnes/ Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804215352/https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/teams/first-team/forward/ashley-barnes/ |date=4 August 2017 }} at the Burnley F.C. website
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{Burnley F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Barnes, Ashley}}
Category:Footballers from Bath, Somerset
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Austrian men's footballers
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Paulton Rovers F.C. players
Category:Plymouth Argyle F.C. players
Category:Oxford United F.C. players
Category:Salisbury City F.C. players
Category:Eastbourne Borough F.C. players
Category:Torquay United F.C. players
Category:Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. players
Category:Norwich City F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Premier League players
Category:Austria men's youth international footballers
Category:21st-century Austrian sportsmen