In later seasons, as managers preferred a 4-4-2 system, and with Westwood cementing his place at centre-half alongside first Lee and later Micky Nelson, Barron was used increasingly often in a right-back role. With well over 300 games under his belt, the majority of them as captain, Barron`s long service earned him a testimonial against Leeds United in 2006, and he followed that by captaining Pools to promotion a year later.
This proved to be Barron`s swansong, and during the 2007/08 season he accepted a position as youth team coach when Paul Stephenson left to join Norwich City. He did make one more appearance in a Pools shirt when he played the last five minutes of the testimonial for his good friend Ritchie Humphreys in August 2011.
Chris Turner`s departure as Director of Sport (and acting manager) in August 2010 saw Barron become more involved in first team affairs. He acted as assistant to the new first team coach Mick Wadsworth, while also managing the reserves. When Wadsworth was dismissed in December 2011 Barron was briefly handed the manager`s job, taking charge for three matches while the board sought a permanent managerial appointment. Former boss Neale Cooper was given the job just after Christmas and Barron returned to his role of Reserve Team Coach.