Barton started in the youth ranks at Blackburn Rovers before being released at the age of sixteen due to a serious back injury. Although originally seen as a gamble due to his injury, Preston North End gave Barton a youth scholarship and his performances at youth and reserve team level earned him a two-and-a-half-year contract in December 2008.
Barton made his full debut in a home 3–2 win over Scunthorpe United on 10 April 2010, being replaced at half-time due to a head injury. He scored his first goal in the 4–3 defeat to Burnley the following season. On 25 February 2012, Barton suffered a suspected triple leg break and a dislocated ankle in a 0-0 draw against Walsall FC. (liverpool wanted him for £5 million before this). Barton was named in a Northern Ireland squad in September 2010, having previous been named to the under 21s team, qualifying for the country through his parents. He withdrew from the squad the day after its announcement, however, rather than lose eligibility for the England team by playing in a competitive international. On 12 November 2010 Barton was called up for Northern Ireland's friendly against Morocco after a number of withdrawals, playing the full 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw on 17 November. On 15 March 2011 more question marks over Barton's international status were raised when he was called up to Noel King's Republic of Ireland U21 squad for a friendly match against Portugal under-21s, making his debut appearance and playing the full 90 minutes for them in that game on 26 March 2011. And thats all there is to know about Adam Barton.