With Colchester unable to match his wage demands, Barrett then went out on loan to fellow Fourth Division club Stockport County.
[2][3][4] Barrett was released by Stoke during the summer of 1990 and subsequently signed to his former-loan club Colchester United.
In two seasons and under two different managers, Ian Atkins and Roy McDonough, Barrett became a dependable ever-present, making 84 Conference appearances during his two years with the U's.
[5] He also helped grab an FA Trophy first-round equaliser against Kingstonian after venturing upfield for a late corner, nodding on the ball to assist Tony English, another important contribution as United went on to Wembley to win the trophy and complete a non-league double.
With Colchester back in the Football League, the club could not meet Barrett's wage demands, and so he joined Gillingham in August 1992.
[3] With Gillingham, Barrett tasted further success when they overcame Shrewsbury Town in the 2009 Football League Two play-off final with a 1–0 victory.