Former Cheltenham Town striker, Tyrone Barnett, looks back on being ‘surplus to requirements’ at Port Vale before making the positive switch to Cheltenham in 2018.
The striker said: “When I initially went there (Cheltenham), it was a lifeline for me. I wasn’t playing at Port Vale at the time. I was surplus to requirements so when they (Cheltenham) came in for me, I was grateful for the opportunity.
“I was just grateful for the time and I enjoyed it there. It was a lovely place to play football, with great facilities, great people, great squad at the time as well so it was a really enjoyable time at Cheltenham.
“I really look back at it and I see it as one of my favourite places I’ve played.”
Barnett made a loan switch from Port Vale to Cheltenham in August 2018 before having his contract terminated in January by Vale so he could sign on a permanent contract with the Robins.
He played under Michael Duff in his inaugural season at Cheltenham, achieving 37 appearances and scoring seven goals in his short stint.
“He’s managed (Michael Duff) and still manages at a really good level. I learned a lot of things from him as a player, and now looking back, I can take one or two things from him as a manager and I can take it for my personality, so it was a really good experience for me. Obviously playing football and chipping in with a few goals when I could.
“They had good staff there. They had good people and then brought in good players. Luke Varney came in which was great. He was 30, I was 33. He taught me a lot about football. I was still learning.”
Having thrived at Cheltenham, Barnett’s contract was terminated in the summer of 2019, just six months after he joined permanently.
He then went on to join National League side Eastleigh, where he spent three seasons, scoring 31 goals in over 100 appearances for the Spitfires.
If the Englishman had it his own way, he would have liked to remain at Cheltenham.
“It was out of my decision. It was sad at the time. I felt like I earned a spot or contract but you know how football goes.
“It’s never concrete that you’re going to be offered anything, so at the time it was disappointing. As a footballer you know things are never guaranteed and I had to pick myself up and look elsewhere.
“Eastleigh were one of the clubs that kind of had my personal interests at heart, so the manager there at the time (Ben Strevens), I loved him, it was a no-brainer at the time to sign for Eastleigh.
“It worked out because my sister, she actually lives in Bournemouth. So I went to live with her for the time I spent down in Eastleigh and when I look back, it’s the longest time I’ve actually spent at a club.”
Tyrone Barnett has since moved onto Stourbridge after a brief spell at Alvechurch in 2025 and has already scored five goals since he joined at the end of January.
𝐓𝐲𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐭’𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝟑𝟗 🎶
— Stourbridge FC (@StourbridgeFC) March 8, 2025
An excellent display topped off by two quality goals saw Tyrone Barnett pick up today’s MOTM!
Well done, Ty 👏 pic.twitter.com/Lz1ugoEcoT
