Barnes was born in Jamaica and moved to the Uk aged 12. His debut for Watford came when he was 17 and he went on to play over 230 times for the club, helping them secure promotion to the First Division in 1982, and then finish second the following year. Barnes then moved to Liverpool for £900,00, playing over 400 times for the club, and winning three league titles, an FA Cup and a League Cup. He played 79 times for England, scoring 11 goals.