|
 It
was only one year ago that Giles Barnes joined Premier League Fulham
on-loan until the end of the season. We were told that a significant
loan
fee had been paid and a transfer fee had been agreed should Fulham
wish to make the move permanent. The fee was not disclosed but
speculation
suggested a figure of around £2m-£2.5m, potentially rising on
appearances. Half of what Barnes had been previously valued at but
the figure still
ranked him the most (financially) valuable player in the Rams squad,
or in the top few according to your opinion.
A
year later, Barnes was quietly released by the Rams with very few
column inches devoted to the story. Barnes was out of contract at
the end of the season but the Rams would still have been entitled to
a “development fee” for him should he have joined another club.
However, any potential fee was still not sufficient incentive for
the Rams to persevere for another six months with Barnes.
It
had all looked rosy for Giles back in 2005; after a brief
introduction by Phil Brown, it was under the management of Terry
Westley that Barnes properly burst onto the scene with a run of 16
matches, mainly in the centre of midfield.
The
following season under Billy Davies, Barnes really started to make a
name for himself with some outstanding contributions; most notably
in the 5-0 demolition of Southend; a brilliant solo at Sunderland;
and an assist in the Play-Off final. Barnes’ value was at its peak
but the season also hinted at future problems as an injury at the
climax of the season meant that Barnes would not be entering the
Premier League fully fit and would never see so much first team
action again.
 Many,
including Barnes himself, believed that the Premier League was the
natural home for such a bright young star but by the time Giles made
his top flight debut, the Rams were already on a downward spiral and
bookies had paid out on relegation. A confidence player who had
thrived in the promotion side was now pitched into the worst Premier
League side ever. Although Barnes managed 21 appearances, his form
was patchy and left Rams fans wondering where his best position
actually was. Ineffective as a striker or winger and often
overwhelmed in midfield, Barnes was often a luxury a struggling side
could ill afford and injury ended his season in February.
Barnes was not to reappear until 10 months later, when appeared
twice as substitute in December 2008 under Paul Jewell. It was not
until Nigel Clough took over in January 2009 that Barnes was seen
again, with Barnes claiming he has been fit for a while but Jewell
had simply excluded him.
It was the cup tie at Old Trafford that Barnes hinted that he might
be back to his best when he scored twice despite being on the pitch
for only twenty minutes. However, this proved to be a false dawn. He
started the following match against Forest but lasted just over an
hour before being subbed. Days later he had joined Fulham.
Barnes failed to make his Fulham debut, as yet again niggling
injuries restricted his availability. A Premier League move failed
to materialise despite some loan interest and Barnes returned to the
Rams in the summer of 2009. Barnes travelled with the first team for
all the pre-season fixtures but did not appear to be part of the
plans. Fans said he appeared a disinterested figure as he often
featured as substitute; and it was as a substitute in the final
pre-season fixture against Stoke that Barnes was last seen. On the
field for barely ten minutes, a tackle form behind left Barnes
crumpled on the floor. A new injury but once again, he would be out
of action for several months.
It
was easy to forget that Barnes existed when thinking about potential
Rams line-up’s and signings; he had been injured so much that he had
simply slipped off the radar in the mind of the average fan. Many
wondered if the sparkle they had seen in 2006/7 was not a diamond in
midfield but merely the floodlights reflecting on Bob Malcolm’s
head.
It is
fair to say the Barnes has not always endeared himself to Rams fans,
with his frequent admissions that he would prefer to be in the
Premier League, claims that suggested he was better than the club.
Evidence of this was scarce yet the Rams continued to fund the best
medical treatment
in the world. However, anyone with an ounce of compassion cannot
deny that it is sad to see a young player cut down in his prime,
unable to ply
his trade for almost two years.
Barnes will now resume his professional career although time will
tell at what level. However, for Rams fans it is the end of the
story. Our “£5 million” player will never make his comeback and the
club coffers are no better off for it. |
