Gareth Barry enjoyed a successful four-year spell at Everton.
Gareth Barry joined on an initial loan deal from Manchester City in 2013 before it was made permanent the following summer.
The former England international is the record appearance holder in the Premier League and at Everton, he was widely considered one of the best midfielders in the division.
In fact, speaking in 2016. Roberto Martinez called him one of England’s best-ever players.
“I have never seen a player with such an incredible professionalism as Gareth Barry,” Martinez told BBC Sport.
“For me, he is one of the best English players ever. He could reach 600 Premier League appearances this season.”
Barry, now aged 44, is still playing football and Everton fans won’t believe which club he’s playing at.
Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images
Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images
Gareth Barry playing for Hurstpierpoint in the 12th tier
Gareth Barry, who retired in August 2020, is now plying his trade in non-league.
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Barry joined his local club Hurstpierpoint last summer, who reside in the second tier of the Mid Sussex Football League.
That makes them a 12th-tier side, so quite clearly, the 53-cap England international will be levels above opposition players.
✍️ 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
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Hurstpierpoint’s chairman and manager Dudley Christensen, speaking to BBC Sport in 2024, said: “He came along to training and loved us.
“I don’t think he’s going to be around to play every week, but he’s a great signing and he’s going to raise our profile.
“I’ll let him do what he wants to do. He can play where he likes, but I expect he’ll sit in front of the defence and be a shield.”
Barry impressed in Hurstpierpoint training
Hurstpierpoint released a statement when Barry signed and noted that he’d been ‘unreal’ in training with the village team.
“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,” the West Sussex-based side said.
“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.”