A technically gifted midfielder brought in by Andy Thorn for the 2012-13 season who never really established himself in the starting eleven. When Steven Pressley took over as manager Barton was out of the picture and spent time on loan at Fleetwood Town. He briefly established himself in the side under Tony Mowbray in the latter part of the 2014-15 season before being surprisingly released at the end of his contract where he signed for League Two Portsmouth.
Subsequently, he joined Portsmouth, followed by stints at Partick Thistle, Dundee United, and other clubs. Internationally, Barton has represented Northern Ireland in a senior friendly and the Republic of Ireland at U21 level.
Sent off (1)
2014-15
26 December 2014 v Doncaster Rovers A, League One, two bookings
• Midfielder
• Signed on 06.08.2012 from Preston North End for an undisclosed fee (aged 21 years 212 days) under Andy Thorn
• Debut on 18.08.2012 v Yeovil Town A, League One (aged 21 years 224 days) under Andy Thorn
• Final appearance on 03.05.2015 v Crawley Town A, League One (aged 24 years 116 days) under Tony Mowbray
• Left on 01.07.2015 for Portsmouth for free, end of contract (aged 24 years 175 days) under Tony Mowbray
• Substitute appearances: 22
• Unused substitute: 39
• Bookings: 6
• Sent off: 1
IRELAND U21, 1 cap
2012-13
6 September 2012 Hungary U21 v Ireland U21, Kecskemet, UEFA U21 Championship qualifying, 2-1, substitute
4 previous caps with Preston North End (total 5 caps)
1 full cap for Northern Ireland with Preston North End.


