Barnes was active between 1996 and 2019, spending his first thirteen seasons in professional football in a career that began at Rotherham United, although he first made a name for himself as Blackpool.
Following Blackpool's relegation to the Third Division in May 2000, Barnes signed a three-year contract keeping him at the club until the end of the 2002–03 season.
[8] He then joined Sheffield United on a free transfer in July 2004, signing a one-year contract, as cover for Paddy Kenny.
[9] A regular for the reserves but making just five first-team appearances,[2] he also went out on loan spells at Torquay United and Queens Park Rangers.
On 25 March, Barnes left Grimsby after being told he was no longer needed by the club, his understudy Gary Montgomery was also released.
The Mariners saw out the 2008–09 campaign with Henderson and former Leeds United player Jonny Lund, as the club's two professional keepers.
Barnes joined Conference North club Gainsborough Trinity on a non-contract terms in April 2009 after the club needed an emergency goalkeeper to cover for the injured Adam Sollitt, making his debut in the final game of the 2008–09 season, a 3–2 victory over Harrogate Town.
Barnes was joined at Trinity by a vast number of professionals as new chairman Peter Swann boosted the club's finances to sign a higher calibre of players.
His understudy Andy Pettinger was also forced on to the sidelines, with the club having to bring in Dimitar Evtimov from Nottingham Forest on loan before signing youngster Michael Emery to deputise.