New boy ready to settle

The former Wolves trainee signed a one-year deal with Harriers this summer after his travels took him from Molineux to Wycombe, via Aldershot, Willenhall and America.

In the three years since being released by Wolves Barnes-Homer managed to earn a living from football in a range of locations until last year, when he joined Mel Eves at Willenhall.

Now he wants to put his experiences to good use by helping the Harriers' in their quest to return to the Football League.

"I was gutted to leave Wolves really because I was doing well and scoring a few goals in the reserves so I thought I had a chance," he admitted.

"But sometimes things go for you. I went to Aldershot for a bit and then I went to America and played a little bit in the A-League, which is one of the professional leagues over there.

"I played out there for two clubs and going over there at at age of 18 was a good experience for me.

"When you're just turned 18 it's hard but you have to do it sometimes and I learned a lot while I was out there.

"I've been a pro all the time except for a spell last year at Willenhall, where I went and did well and scored 17 goals.

"Bristol Rovers, Bristol City and Crewe all showed an interest before Wycombe came in and signed me."

Barnes-Homer was not kept on at Wycombe after playing a small role in their failed chase for a play-off place in League Two.

But he still believes the experience at Adams Park served him well for his future career.

"It was a good experience to play with quality players like Tommy Mooney and Jermaine Easter, who have a lot of experience to pass on," he said.

"They had quality players like Stefan Oakes in midfield and it was good for me to be able to learn from really good players like that.

"It would have been nice to get more of a chance to show what I could do but they were going really well and trying to get promoted and that made it even harder to get in and try to get a deal.

"My friend, Brian Smikle, spoke to the manager near the end of last season," he said.

"He gave me a call and we had a conversation. I came down for a trial and the manager said he would see what he could do.

"Obviously I must have proved myself and it's gone from there.

"I've known 'Junior' Smikle for a few years now and he helped me, then I had to come here and prove myself to the manager.

"We want to aim for automatic promotion and then if we don't get that it would be nice to get into the play-offs, and from what I've seen we should be pushing."