Former Paulton star Barnes wishes his old club good luck for FA Cup tie

Plymouth Argyle striker Ashley Barnes has wished old club Paulton Rovers the best of luck for today's FA Cup clash with Norwich City.

The 20-year-old admits he owes his status as a Championship forward and Under-20 international to Paulton, and specifically their manager Andy Jones, after Bristol Rovers and Bristol City both passed up the chance to sign him.

Barnes will not be able to watch his old side in action because he has a game of his own against Doncaster Rovers at 3pm.

But he has contacted Jones and some of his old team-mates to wish them well against the Canaries.

"I keep in regular touch with Andy Jones, the manager," said Barnes, who hails from the nearby village of Dunkerton.

"I was at Bristol Rovers as a kid but I had to leave when they financial problems and they decided they had to get rid of their youth system.

"I played one game for Welton Rovers and after that game Paulton wanted me.

"It was a good spot by Tim Pow, who was then the youth team manager. I think he now manages the reserves.

"So I went there to play for their youth team and Andrew Jones picked me for the first team.

"He gave me the chance to play and he was fantastic to me. He has done so much for me and the club and he has been rewarded with this amazing draw.

"I still speak to him and people like Rob Cousins and Dan Cleverley and some of the younger lads I played with. I know a few others who are there now because I have played against them."

While at Paulton, Barnes had a trial with Bristol City but the Robins chose to look elsewhere and then-Argyle boss Ian Holloway stepped in.

"I just got on with it and kept my profile up at Paulton and I got a chance with Plymouth," said Barnes, who admits his progress is an example to the players at Winterfield Road who still have ambitions of making the step up to the Football League.

"This game is a great shop window for the players at Paulton, whatever their age," he said. "Hopefully they can make the most of it.

"I am delighted for them. It is the best draw they could have got and it is a massive boost for the club.

"Plymouth have got a game against Doncaster on Saturday so I won't be able to be there, but I will record it and watch it straight afterwards.

"It is a big task for Paulton but they have just got to go out and enjoy the occasion and hopefully they can get a result."

Barnes is one of a relatively small number of Paulton products to play league football.

The other recent graduate is goalkeeper Steve Phillips, who moved from Paulton to Bristol City and then joined Bristol Rovers. Phillips has more league appearances to his name than Barnes, but the youngster has played international football.

Barnes played for Austria's Under-20 side last year. He qualifies for them by virtue of an Austrian grandmother.