Non-league football can be full of interesting stories of former top-flight players forging their trade in the game in the latter years of their playing careers.
Most are players who have been journeymen or have not featured much at the top level of the game but are still attempting to etch out a living in the professional or even semi-professional game.
However, this week, a genuine Premier League icon, Gareth Barry, announced that he would be coming out of retirement at the age of 43 to play in the 11th tier of English football with a village team, Hurstpierpoint.
✍️ 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
His signing was announced on X, much to the surprise of anybody scrolling through the social media app.
Who are Hurstpierpoint?
You would be forgiven for asking who are Hurstpierpoint? They are a small club that plays in the second tier of the Mid Sussex Football League.
The club are delighted with their new arrival, with the team’s manager, Dudley Christensen, telling BBC Sport: “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.”
As Barry’s new manager stated, Barry’s arrival will undoubtedly raise the profile of the grand old club formed in 1886. It is a massive coup for a club so low on the football pyramid to have somebody of the ilk of Barry associated with them.
Gareth Barry is a Premier League icon
The former Aston Villa, Manchester City and Everton star is a massive Premier League icon. The midfielder enjoyed a long career in the English top flight that spanned over two decades.
Mainly due to his longevity, Barry holds the record for the most appearances in the Premier League, having featured in the league in its current guise 653 times.
He made the majority of his Premier League appearances at his first professional club, Aston Villa, where he featured 365 times over 12 seasons.
The midfielder ended his Premier League career in season 201718 with West Brom. Unfortunately for him, the Baggies suffered relegation to the Championship in his last campaign in the English top-flight.
Barry remained with the Midlands outfit and played on for two more seasons in English football’s second tier, as he tried in vain to help them win promotion back to the promised land of the Premier League.
In August 2020, the midfielder finally called time on his playing career, having made an incredible 832 appearances in all competitions and played 53 times for England at international level.
Barry always had a reputation for being the perfect professional during his playing days. He looked after himself physically, which ensured that he could play well into his 30s, which can be rare for footballers in modern football.
Therefore, it is not that surprising that Barry has not quite hung up his playing boots just yet. What form he will represent Hurstpierpoint in remains to be seen, but he still appears to be in good shape and there is no argument that the midfielder loves the beautiful game.
Fantastic for clubs down the lower end of the pyramid
Players like Gareth Barry being connected with a club like Hurstpierpoint can be fantastic. As the club’s manager stated, it raises the profile of the organisation.
Clubs towards the bottom of the English football pyramid are often lacking in financial resources. However, high-profile signings can often lead to much-needed financial boosts.
Clubs that have a former Premier League winner and England international in their squad can attract better sponsors and even bigger crowds.
Barry may not play every game, but he can still be a valuable asset to the team and the club. His experience will undoubtedly rub off on his teammates, which surely can only be a good thing.
However, if his professional football career is anything to go by, Barry will likely play every minute that he’s available simply because he is the ultimate pro and a winner.
While the move came as a surprise, hopefully, it will work out well for Hurstpierpoint and, of course, the player himself, as it seems there is still life left in the old dog.
Will Gareth Barry play much of a part at Hurstpierpoint in the 2024/25 season?