Paul George Barron (born 16 September 1953) is an English former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He currently coaches for Richmond International Academic and Soccer Academy.
Playing career Born in Woolwich, London, Barron qualified as a PE instructor before becoming a professional footballer. He played for non-league Welling United, Wycombe Wanderers and Slough Town, before turning professional with Plymouth Argyle in July 1976.
He signed for Arsenal in July 1978 for £70,000, as cover for Pat Jennings. Barron made his Arsenal debut on 22nd August 1978 against Manchester City but was unable to oust Jennings from the first team; after only eight appearances in two seasons he moved on to Crystal Palace in 1980. He joined Palace along with Clive Allen, while Kenny Sansom moved to Arsenal as part of the deal.
At Selhurst Park Barron was favoured by manager Terry Venables over John Burridge as Palace suffered a poor start to the 1980–81 season. However, Venables left in October 1980 to become manager at Queens Park Rangers, and Burridge followed in December. Barron made 33 league appearances that season, (in which Palace were relegated) but remained at Palace in 1981–82 and for the first half of 1982–83 as the Eagles finished 15th in consecutive seasons. Barron joined West Bromwich Albion in December 1982 and spent three seasons at the Hawthorns making 63 First Division appearances. In 1984–85 he joined Stoke City on loan, and played once keeping a clean sheet, in a 0–0 draw away at Leicester City. He joined Queens Park Rangers in August 1985 and he appeared in the 1986 Football League Cup Final for QPR, in their defeat by Oxford United at Wembley Stadium. Barron spent two seasons at Loftus Road which included a short spell on loan at Reading and in the summer of 1988 he returned to his first club Welling United.
Coaching career After retiring as a player, Barron became a goalkeeping coach, working at Coventry City, Queens Park Rangers and West Bromwich Albion. He then moved to Aston Villa, before joining Middlesbrough in 2001. Barron was sent to the stands during Middlesbrough's away League Cup match against Tottenham Hotspur on 26 September 2007, after protesting about Gareth Bale's opening goal. In November 2007 he left Boro to become goalkeeping coach at Newcastle United. Barron left Newcastle United in December 2010 following the departure of manager Chris Hughton. As of 2023 Barron is a coach of Girls' Elite Academy teams at Las Vegas Sports Academy.
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsPlymouth Argyle1976–77Second Division30001000401977–78Third Division410403030510Total440404030550Arsenal1978–79First Division30000000301979–80First Division5000000050Total8000000080Crystal Palace1980–81First Division3300040003701981–82Second Division4005040004901982–83Second Division170005020240Total90050130201100West Bromwich Albion1982–83First Division2002000002201983–84First Division4204040005001984–85First Division1000000010Total630604000730Stoke City (loan)1984–85First Division1000000010Queens Park Rangers1985–86First Division3101090004101986–87First Division1000000010Total320109000420Reading (loan)1986–87Second Division4000000040Career total2420160300502930
Honours Queens Park Rangers Football League Cup runner-up: 1986
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