Following retirement, Barlow worked away from the sport for a while before being appointed assistant manager of Northern Premier League side Colwyn Bay in 2011.
However, his inability to find the net regularly – despite his pace often putting him through on goal – led to his gaining, amongst the Goodison support, the affectionate nickname of Stuart "Barndoor" Barlow (from the proverbial saying that an inaccurate person kicking or hitting a projectile "couldn't hit a barn door").
Barlow spent nearly three seasons at the club and scored 32 goals in 93 games, but was sold to Wigan Athletic in 1998 for £45,000 by Neil Warnock.
[6] After spells with Stockport County and Bury, he joined Conference National side Morecambe in 2006 and later went on to Southport and Fleetwood Town.
[7] He stated his decision was so that he could support and watch his young son play football for his club Formby Juniors, which Barlow ended up coaching.