Leigh Barnard played for Exeter City in 1985 when on loan from Swindon Town. He also played for Portsmouth and Cardiff City. 

Leigh made his Football League debut for Portsmouth where he had previously been an apprentice. After signing a professional contract in October 1976 he went on to feature in 79 league games scoring 8 goals. Having also had a loan spell at Peterborough United, he subsequently joined Swindon Town in July 1982 where he became a regular first-teamer scoring 22 goals in 217 appearances.

It was during his time at Swindon that Leigh had a short loan spell with Exeter City when he joined the Grecians in February 1985. He went straight into the City team to make his debut against Southend United at St James’ Park. Leigh's most memorable game for the club came against Wrexham two weeks later when he netted both the goals in a 2-0 win at the Park.

Returning to Swindon, Leigh was to regain his first team place and remained with the Wiltshire club until signing for Cardiff City in October 1989. Making 63 league appearances (9 goals) for the Bluebirds, he left Ninian Park at the end of the 1990-91 season and had a stint with Stroud (as Forest Green Rovers were briefly known at the time) ahead of embarking on a career as a mathematics teacher in West London.