Chris Barker

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Chris Barker

| image = Chris Barker at Southend United.jpg

| image_size = 200

| caption = Barker at Southend United in 2013

| fullname = Christopher Andrew Barker{{Hugman|933|access-date=12 May 2019}}

| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=y|1980|03|02}}{{cite web |title=Chris Barker – Football Stats – Soccer Base |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=17485 |publisher=Soccerbase |access-date=22 March 2013 }}

| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=y|2020|01|01|1980|03|02}}

| birth_place = Sheffield, England

| height = {{height|m=1.85}}

| position = Defender

| youthyears1 = 1997–1999

| youthclubs1 = Alfreton Town

| years1 = 1999–2002

| clubs1 = Barnsley

| caps1 = 113

| goals1 = 3

| years2 = 2002–2007

| clubs2 = Cardiff City

| caps2 = 162

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2004

| clubs3 = → Stoke City (loan)

| caps3 = 4

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2006–2007

| clubs4 = → Colchester United (loan)

| caps4 = 38

| goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2007–2008

| clubs5 = Queens Park Rangers

| caps5 = 25

| goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2008–2010

| clubs6 = Plymouth Argyle

| caps6 = 54

| goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2010

| clubs7 = → Southend United (loan)

| caps7 = 4

| goals7 = 0

| years8 = 2010–2013

| clubs8 = Southend United

| caps8 = 113

| goals8 = 0

| years9 = 2013–2016

| clubs9 = Aldershot Town

| caps9 = 87

| goals9 = 0

| years10 = 2016

| clubs10 = Hereford

| caps10 = 5

| goals10 = 0

| years11 = 2016–2017

| clubs11 = Weston-super-Mare

| caps11 = 15

| goals11 = 0

| totalcaps = 620 | totalgoals = 3

| manageryears1 = 2015

| managerclubs1 = Aldershot Town (caretaker)

| death_place = Cardiff, Wales

}}

Christopher Andrew Barker (2 March 1980 – 1 January 2020){{cite news |title=Chris Barker: Former Cardiff City defender dies aged 39 |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50971215 |access-date=2 January 2020}} was an English professional footballer who played as a defender. He represented Alfreton Town, Barnsley, Cardiff City, Stoke City, Colchester United, Queens Park Rangers, Plymouth Argyle, Southend United, Hereford FC and Weston Super Mare and he was player-manager of Aldershot Town for three months in 2015. His brother, Richie, is also a professional footballer.

Career

Barker was born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. He began his professional career at Barnsley in 1999, winning the club's young player of the year award in his first full season. After beating competition for his place from Mateo Corbo, Barker was again awarded the club's young player of the year award, becoming the first player to win the award on two occasions. After appearing in over 100 games for the club, on 12 July 2002, 22-year-old Barker joined Cardiff City in a deal which was thought to be worth an initial £500,000, with an extra £100,000 if Cardiff achieved promotion.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/2120206.stm |title=Barker secures Cardiff move |publisher=BBC Sport | date=12 July 2002 | access-date=2 January 2010}}

After dropping down a division to sign for the club, Barker helped the team win promotion in his first year. He remained first-choice left back for the majority of the next few years, joining Stoke City on loan in August 2004 for three months only to be recalled after one,{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/3649562.stm |title=Cardiff recall Barker |publisher=BBC Sport | date=12 September 2004 | access-date=19 March 2011}} and was voted the Cardiff City supporters' player of the season in 2004–05.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/4644589.stm |title=Forest continue chase of Barker |publisher=BBC Sport | date=2 July 2005 | access-date=19 March 2011}} On 18 August 2006, Barker was signed on loan by Colchester United until January 2007.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/colchester_united/5262944.stm |title=Barker joins Colchester on loan |publisher=BBC Sport | date=18 August 2006 | access-date=19 March 2011}} This was later extended until the end of the season.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/colchester_united/6219517.stm |title=Barker extends stay at Colchester |publisher=BBC Sport | date=30 December 2006 | access-date=19 March 2011}} The move was not made permanent at the end of his loan spell, but he was regarded as a very popular and respected player with the fans at Layer Road. On 5 June 2007, Barker signed for Queens Park Rangers in a two-year deal, on a free transfer.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/6723145.stm |title=QPR sign Cardiff defender Barker |publisher=BBC Sport | date=5 June 2007 | access-date=19 March 2011}}

He signed for Championship rivals Plymouth Argyle on an emergency loan deal on 9 August 2008, allowing him to make his debut later that day against Wolverhampton Wanderers.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/plymouth_argyle/7554316.stm |title=Argyle sign QPR defender Barker |publisher=BBC Sport | date=11 August 2008 | access-date=19 March 2011}} The transfer was made permanent two days later, with Barker signing a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.{{cite web|title=Barker Signs|url=http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~1361152,00.html|publisher=Plymouth Argyle FC|access-date=10 February 2012|date=9 August 2008}}{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12875_3955108,00.html |title=Pilgrims bring in Barker |publisher=Sky Sports | date=9 August 2008 | access-date=19 March 2011}} On 5 August 2010, Barker joined Southend United on loan for one month after being told he was surplus to requirements by Argyle manager Peter Reid.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southend_utd/8889721.stm |title=Chris Barker and Adam Bouzid set for Southend deals |publisher=BBC Sport | date=5 August 2010 | access-date=19 March 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11705_6262117,00.html |title=Barker set to leave Pilgrims |publisher=Sky Sports | date=15 July 2010 | access-date=19 March 2011}} He signed a two-year contract with the club at the end of the month on a free transfer.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southend_utd/8958632.stm |title=Southend sign Plymouth Argyle defender Chris Barker |publisher=BBC Sport | date=31 August 2010 | access-date=19 March 2011}} On 30 April 2011, Barker was voted Southend's player of the year for the 2010–11 season. Having been vice-captain during his first season with the club, he was appointed captain ahead of the new campaign after the departure of Craig Easton.{{cite web|title=Barker Handed Armband|url=http://www.southendunited.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10444~2384905,00.html|publisher=Southend United FC|access-date=10 February 2012|date=1 July 2011}} He scored his first goal for Southend as they were defeated by Crewe Alexandra in the 2011–12 League Two play-offs.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18001648 |title=Southend 2 – 2 Crewe |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 May 2012 |access-date=7 April 2013}}

Barker left Southend on 9 August 2013 after his contract was terminated by mutual consent.{{cite web |url=http://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/article/090813-chris-barker-980258.aspx |title=Chris Barker leaves Blues |publisher=Southend United FC |date=9 August 2013 |access-date=19 August 2013}} He subsequently joined Aldershot Town the same day{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23637161 |title=Aldershot sign Emmanuel Oyeleke on loan and add three more |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 August 2013 |access-date=19 August 2013}} and made his debut for the Conference side the following day in a 1–1 draw with Grimsby Town.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23558540 |title=Grimsby 1–1 Aldershot |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 August 2013 |access-date=19 August 2013}}

In January 2015 Barker was appointed player-manager of Aldershot following the sacking of Andy Scott.{{cite news|title=Chris Barker: Aldershot Town caretaker relaxed on full-time job|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30953870|access-date=22 May 2015}}

In June 2016, Barker signed for Hereford as a player-coach. In October 2016, he joined National League South side Weston-super-Mare as player/assistant manager to boss Scott Bartlett.{{Cite web| url=http://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/sport/football/weston_super_mare_fc_appoint_former_hereford_coach_as_scott_bartlett_s_assistant_1_4744193 |title=Weston-super-Mare FC appoint former Hereford coach as Scott Bartlett's assistant |publisher=Weston Mercury |date=20 October 2016}} Barker left Weston-super-Mare in July 2017.{{cite web |title=Weston-super-Mare assistant head coach departs The Woodspring Stadium |url=https://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/weston-super-mare-assistant-head-coach-departs-the-woodspring-stadium-1-5076749 |website=thewestonmercury.co.uk |date=24 June 2017 |access-date=17 February 2019}}

Death

On 1 January 2020, Barker was found dead at his home in the Cyncoed area of Cardiff at the age of 39. The cause of his death was not immediately revealed, but it was not treated as suspicious.{{Cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/chris-barker-former-cardiff-defender-found-dead-aged-39-11899708|title=Chris Barker: Former Cardiff defender found dead aged 39|website=Sky News}} It was later revealed that he had taken his own life.{{Cite web|url=https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2020/01/02/football-world-stunned-as-recently-professional-british-player-commits-suicide-at-just-39/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200208022057/https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2020/01/02/football-world-stunned-as-recently-professional-british-player-commits-suicide-at-just-39/|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 February 2020|title=Football World Stunned as Recently Professional British player commits Suicide at just 39|first=Tony|last=Winterburn|date=2 January 2020|website=Euro Weekly News Spain}}

Career statistics

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|FA Cup !colspan="2"\|League Cup !colspan="2"\|Other{{ref label\|Other\|A}} !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="4" valign="centre"\|Barnsley \|1999–2000{{cite web\| title = Barnsley 1999/2000 player appearances\| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=208&teamTabs=stats\| publisher = Soccerbase\| access-date = 22 March 2013}} Select season required via dropdown menu. \|First Division \|29	0	1	0	4	0	1	0	35	0
2000–01{{cite web\| title = Barnsley 2000/2001 player appearances\| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=208&teamTabs=stats\| publisher = Soccerbase\| access-date = 22 March 2013}} Select season required via dropdown menu. \|First Division \|40	0	1	0	5	0	0	0	46	0
2001–02{{cite web\| title = Barnsley 2001/2002 player appearances\| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=208&teamTabs=stats\| publisher = Soccerbase\| access-date = 22 March 2013}} Select season required via dropdown menu. \|First Division \|44	3	2	0	3	0	0	0	49	3
colspan="2"\|Total !113	3	4	0	12	0	1	0	130	3
rowspan="6" valign="centre"\|Cardiff City \|2002–03{{cite web\| title = Cardiff 2002/2003 player appearances\| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=485&teamTabs=stats\| publisher = Soccerbase\| access-date = 22 March 2013}} Select season required via dropdown menu. \|Second Division \|40	0	5	0	1	0	1	0	47	0
2003–04{{cite web\| title = Cardiff 2003/2004 player appearances\| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=485&teamTabs=stats\| publisher = Soccerbase\| access-date = 22 March 2013}} Select season required via dropdown menu. \|First Division \|39	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	41	0
2004–05{{cite web\| title = Cardiff 2004/2005 player appearances\| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=485&teamTabs=stats\| publisher = Soccerbase\| access-date = 22 March 2013}} Select season required via dropdown menu. \|Championship \|39	0	2	0	3	0	0	0	44	0
2005–06{{cite web \| title = Cardiff 2005/2006 player appearances\| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=485&teamTabs=stats\| publisher = Soccerbase\| access-date = 22 March 2013}} Select season required via dropdown menu. \|Championship \|41	0	1	0	3	0	0	0	45	0
2006–07{{cite web\| title = Cardiff 2006/2007 player appearances\| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=485&teamTabs=stats \| publisher = Soccerbase\| access-date = 22 March 2013}} Select season required via dropdown menu. \|Championship \|0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
colspan="2"\|Total !159	0	8	0	9	0	1	0	177	0
Stoke City (loan) \|2004–05{{cite web\| title = Stoke 2004/2005 player appearances\| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2477&teamTabs=stats\| publisher = Soccerbase\| access-date = 22 March 2013}} Select season required via dropdown menu. \|Championship \|4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
Colchester United (loan) \|2006–07{{cite web\| title = Colchester 2006/2007 player appearances\| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=612&teamTabs=stats\| publisher = Soccerbase\| access-date = 22 March 2013}} Select season required via dropdown menu. \|Championship \|38	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	39	0
Queens Park Rangers \|2007–08{{cite web\| title = QPR 2007/2008 player appearances\| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2093&teamTabs=stats\| publisher = Soccerbase\| access-date = 22 March 2013}} Select season required via dropdown menu. \|Championship \|25	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	26	0
rowspan="4" valign="centre"\|Plymouth Argyle \|2008–09{{cite web\| title = Plymouth 2008/2009 player appearances\| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2036&teamTabs=stats\| publisher = Soccerbase\| access-date = 22 March 2013}} Select season required via dropdown menu. \|Championship \|40	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	42	0
2009–10{{cite web\| title = Plymouth 2009/2010 player appearances\| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2036&teamTabs=stats\| publisher = Soccerbase\| access-date = 22 March 2013}} Select season required via dropdown menu. \|Championship \|14	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	16	0
2010–11{{cite web\| title = Plymouth 2010/2011 player appearances\| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2036&teamTabs=stats\| publisher = Soccerbase\| access-date = 22 March 2013}} Select season required via dropdown menu. \|League One \|0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
colspan="2"\|Total !54	0	3	0	1	0	0	0	58	0
Southend United (loan) \|2010–11{{cite web\| title = Southend 2010/2011 player appearances\| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2393&teamTabs=stats\| publisher = Soccerbase\| access-date = 22 March 2013}} Select season required via dropdown menu. \|League Two \|4	0	0	0	2	0	1	0	7	0
rowspan="4" valign="centre"\|Southend United \|2010–11 \|League Two \|39	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	40	0
2011–12{{cite web\| title = Southend 2011/2012 player appearances\| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2393&teamTabs=stats\| publisher = Soccerbase\| access-date = 22 March 2013}} Select season required via dropdown menu. \|League Two \|43	0	4	0	0	0	6	1	53	1
2012–13{{cite web \| title = Southend 2012/2013 player appearances\| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2393&teamTabs=stats\| publisher = Soccerbase\| access-date = 22 March 2013}} Select season required via dropdown menu. \|League Two \|29	0	4	0	1	0	6	0	40	0
colspan="2"\|Total !111	0	8	0	1	0	13	1	133	1
rowspan="4"\|Aldershot Town \|2013–14{{cite web\| title = Aldershot 2013/2014 player appearances\| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=92&teamTabs=stats\| publisher = Soccerbase\| access-date = 19 August 2013}} Select season required via dropdown menu. \|Conference Premier \|42	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	42	0
2014–15{{Soccerbase season\|17485\|2014\|access-date=19 August 2013}} Select season required via dropdown menu. \|Conference Premier \|32	0	4	0	0	0	0	0	36	0
2015–16 \|Conference Premier \|3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
colspan="2"\|Total !77	0	4	0	0	0	0	0	81	0
Hereford \|2016–17 \|Southern League Division One South & West \|5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
Weston-super-Mare \|2016–17 \|National League South \|15	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	15	0
colspan="3"\|Career Total !605	3	29	0	25	0	16	1	675	4

:A. {{note|Other}} The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals in the Football League play-offs and the Football League Trophy.

Honours

=Player=

Cardiff City

Second Division play-offs: 2002–03{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_2/3051017.stm |title=Cardiff seal promotion |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 May 2003 |access-date=31 January 2023}}

Southend United

Football League Trophy runner-up: 2012–13{{cite news|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2013/april/trophy-final---match-report/ |title=Trophy Final – match report |author=Tony Leighton |publisher=EFL |date=7 April 2013 |access-date=31 January 2023}}

=Individual=

Cardiff City Player of the Year: 2004–05
Southend United Player of the Year: 2010–11{{cite news|url=https://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-news/chris-barker-former-southend-united-3697858 |title=Chris Barker: Former Southend United, Colchester United, Cardiff City and Queens Park Rangers footballer dies aged 39 |author=Brad Gray |publisher=Essex Live |date=2 January 2020 |access-date=31 January 2023}}