Paul Barber joined Norwich as a trainee in July 1995 from Soham Town Rangers although his first club was Heath Rangers from Newmarket. He signed professional terms the following year as Norwich's third choice keeper behind Bryan Gunn and Andy Marshall. He hoped to follow in the footsteps of his father Keith who played for Luton and Swansea. Opportunities were limited to positions on the substitutes bench and the occasional reserve match. He was released in June 1997 due to the promising form of youngster Robert Green.

After a spell with Cambridge City, Paul joined Sudbury Town and made 30 appearances for them in 1997/98 before returning to Cambridge City. He was released towards the end of 1998 following the club's signing of former Brighton goalkeeper Nicky Rust from Hendon.

Paul initially joined Eastern Counties league side Newmarket Town but moved on to Histon in the summer of 1999. They won the Jewson Eastern Counties League in his first season. After impressing for the Dr Martens Eastern side in a trial match against Cambridge United reserves in March 2001 in which Histon won 1-0, Paul was invited to train with the Division Two side.

Paul parted company with Histon in October 2004 when he lost his first team place to Lance Key. In May 2005, he was linked with a move to Kings Lynn. Also linked with a return to Histon, Paul was scheduled to play for Cambridge City in a pre-season friendly with Mildenhall in July 2005. He joined Ridgeons League side Bury Town in October 2005 making his debut on 4th October 2005 in a goalless draw with Ipswich Wanderers.