Chris Barker
Encyclopedia
Christopher Andrew "Chris" Barker (born 2 March 1980) is an English footballer who plays as a defender
for Southend United
. He has also represented Barnsley
, Cardiff City
, Stoke City
, Colchester United
, Queens Park Rangers and Plymouth Argyle
since beginning his career in 1997. His brother, Richard Barker, also played professional football, as a striker.
, winning the club's young player of the year award in his first full season. After beating off competition for his place from Mateo Corbo
, Barker was again awarded the clubs 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.
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, and was voted the Cardiff City supporters' player of the season in 2004–05
. On 18 August 2006, Barker was signed on loan by Colchester United
, until January 2007. This was later extended until the end of the season. However the move did not become permanent at the end of his loan spell, but he is still regarded as a very popular and much 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.
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
. Two days later the transfer was made permanent, with Barker signing a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. On August 5, 2010, Barker joined Southend United
on loan for one month after being told he was surplus to requirements by Peter Reid
. He signed a two-year contract with the club at the end of the month on a free transfer.
On 30 April 2011, Barker was voted Southend's player of the year for the 2010–11 season.
Barker, who was Vice Captain in his first season with Southend, was named new club captain after Craig Easton
left the club after failing to agree a new contract.
Southend United
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
for Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
. He has also represented Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
, Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
, Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
, Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
, Queens Park Rangers and Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
since beginning his career in 1997. His brother, Richard Barker, also played professional football, as a striker.
Playing career
Barker began his professional career at BarnsleyBarnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
, winning the club's young player of the year award in his first full season. After beating off competition for his place from Mateo Corbo
Mateo Corbo
Mateo Corbo is a Uruguayan footballer. He currently plays as a left full back, most recently for the Australian A-League club Newcastle United Jets before being released. He previously played for River Plate , Real Oviedo , Barnsley F.C...
, Barker was again awarded the clubs 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
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
, in a deal which was thought to be worth an initial £500,000, with an extra £100,000 if Cardiff achieved promotion.
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
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
on loan in August 2004 for three months only to be recalled after one, and was voted the Cardiff City supporters' player of the season in 2004–05
2004-05 in English football
The 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League...
. On 18 August 2006, Barker was signed on loan by Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
, until January 2007. This was later extended until the end of the season. However the move did not become permanent at the end of his loan spell, but he is still regarded as a very popular and much respected player with the fans at Layer Road
Layer Road
Layer Road was a Football League stadium in Colchester, England. It was only used for football matches and was the home ground of Colchester United before being replaced by the Weston Homes Community Stadium. The stadium held spectators and was built in 1907, originally for use by Colchester Town...
. On 5 June 2007, Barker signed for Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
, in a two-year deal, on a free transfer.
He signed for Championship rivals Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
on an emergency loan deal on 9 August 2008, allowing him to make his debut later that day against Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
. Two days later the transfer was made permanent, with Barker signing a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. On August 5, 2010, Barker joined Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
on loan for one month after being told he was surplus to requirements by Peter Reid
Peter Reid
Peter Reid is an English football manager, pundit and retired player, who is currently without a club since his departure from Plymouth Argyle.A defensive midfielder in his playing days, Reid enjoyed a long and successful career...
. He signed a two-year contract with the club at the end of the month on a free transfer.
On 30 April 2011, Barker was voted Southend's player of the year for the 2010–11 season.
Barker, who was Vice Captain in his first season with Southend, was named new club captain after Craig Easton
Craig Easton
Craig Easton is a Scottish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Dunfermline Athletic.-Dundee United:...
left the club after failing to agree a new contract.
Honours
Cardiff CityCardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
- Football League Division Two play-off winner: 1
-
- 2002–03The Football League 2002-03The 2002–2003 season was the 103rd completed season of The Football League.-Football League First Division:Portsmouth won the First Division by some distance, passing manager Harry Redknapp’s old club, West Ham on the way down. Leicester City earned a somewhat controversial promotion, as...
- 2002–03
Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
- Player of the Year 2010/11
External links
- Chris Barker Signs for PAFC at PAFC.co.uk
- Chris Barker player profile at qpr.co.uk
- Chris Barker player profile at cardiffcityfc.co.uk
- Chris Barker player profile at barnsleyfc.co.uk