Shaun Barker
Encyclopedia
Shaun Barker is an English footballer who plays for Derby County
as a defender
, where he is also captain.
, Nottinghamshire
, Barker started his career at Rotherham
as a junior, making his debut in March 2003 against Brighton & Hove Albion
. On 7 May 2003 he was named as the club's "Young Player of the Year". In July 2003 he signed a two-year extension to his contract, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2005–06 season. He went on to make 132 appearances in total for the Millers. In the 2005–06 season
he topped the club's appearance list with 42 league games and one as a substitute. On 7 February 2006 he was named in the Football League's "Team of the Week" for League One
following his performance in a match against Hartlepool United
on 4 February.
His first goal for Blackpool was a last-minute winner against Dario Gradi
's Crewe Alexandra
on 21 October 2006, ten minutes after the Seasiders had been reduced to ten men through Simon Gillett
's dismissal. He captained the side for the first time on 6 March 2007, in a 2–0 home win against Bournemouth
. Barker was one of two ever-present players during Blackpool's 2007–08
league season, the other being Paul Rachubka
. He was also the vice captain for the season.
For the 2008–09 season, Rob Edwards was named as the "on-field" captain, with Barker as vice-captain and club captain. On 1 September 2008, Barker was named in the Press Association
's Championship
"Team of the Week" following his performance in the club's match at Southampton
on 30 August. On 18 October 2008 he made his 100th league appearance for the Seasiders, in their 0–0 draw against Doncaster Rovers
at the Keepmoat Stadium.
In the second half of the 2008–09 season, when Tony Parkes
took over as caretaker manager
, "Reggie", as he is known by Blackpool supporters, was moved to his usual centre-back role and cemented his place in that position. His performances led to his being linked with a move to Derby County
, which Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston
angrily dismissed, saying that "we've not had an offer from Derby... so unless anything changes drastically between now and August then he [Barker] will be starting here next season". It was later revealed that Derby had submitted a formal bid for Barker, believed to be in the region of £400,000, which was rejected.
on 15 July 2009, for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £900,000, signing a three-year contract. Barker made his Derby début as an 89th minute substitute in a 3–2 defeat to Scunthorpe United
on 15 August, his start to the season being delayed by a slight hamstring strain. He made his first start for Derby in a 1–0 defeat to Sheffield United
on 12 September, going on to make thirteen consecutive appearances and scoring his first goal for the club in a 3–2 defeat to Barnsley
on 15 September. However, having been playing through a thigh injury, a scan after Derby's 2–1 win over Reading
on 28 November revealed that the tear in his thigh muscle had gotten worse, ruling him out for several weeks. Barker made his return from injury with a substitute appearance in Derby's FA Cup
win over Millwall
on 12 January 2010 and started the next game, a 3–0 win over Peterborough
on 16 January. From this point Barker shrugged off the injury problems that had curtailed the earlier part of his season and finished the season with a run of 23 consecutive appearances, scoring twice (the third in a 3–0 win over Newcastle United
and the equaliser in a 1–1 draw away to Q.P.R.
) to take his tally for the season to five. Barker enjoyed a successful first season with Derby and, although the side struggled in the league, only achieving safety in the 44th fixture, he was awarded The Jack Stamps Trophy before the final game of the season against Cardiff City
., his second successive Player of the Year award after winning Blackpool's 2008/09 award. Whilst Derby finished midtable in 2009/10, Barker's former club Blackpool
earned promotion to the Premier League leading some observers to suggest he might regret the decision to move to a supposed bigger club. Of this Barker said,
Barker was named Derby's Vice Captain ahead of the 2010/11 campaign and started the season as first choice centrehalf alongside Dean Leacock
. His first goal of the season came in the ninth match, as he netted a crucial equaliser against Middlesbrough
in first half stoppage time that spurred The Rams onto a 3–1 win. On December 14, 2010, it was also announced he had signed a new 3 deal with the club, taking him through until July 2014. Although Derby once again struggled, Barker featured in every game bar one - which he missed due to suspension - throughout the campaign up until safety was assured on Easter Monday
2011. With safety assured, he had surgery on a knee
problem which had been an issue throughout most of his two years at Derby and had prevented him from training for the majority of the end of the 2010-11 season. As a result, Barker missed the first 16 games of the following season, returning to action in a reserve fixture against Sheffield United on 15th November 2011.
Blackpool
Derby
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
as a defender
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....
, where he is also captain.
Rotherham United
Born in TrowellTrowell
Trowell is a village and civil parish in Nottinghamshire, England. It lies a few miles west of Nottingham, in the borough of Broxtowe on the border with Derbyshire. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 2,568....
, Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire is a county in the East Midlands of England, bordering South Yorkshire to the north-west, Lincolnshire to the east, Leicestershire to the south, and Derbyshire to the west...
, Barker started his career at Rotherham
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
as a junior, making his debut in March 2003 against Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
. On 7 May 2003 he was named as the club's "Young Player of the Year". In July 2003 he signed a two-year extension to his contract, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2005–06 season. He went on to make 132 appearances in total for the Millers. In the 2005–06 season
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
he topped the club's appearance list with 42 league games and one as a substitute. On 7 February 2006 he was named in the Football League's "Team of the Week" for League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
following his performance in a match against Hartlepool United
Hartlepool United F.C.
Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season...
on 4 February.
Blackpool
Barker joined joined Blackpool on 2 August 2006 on a free transfer, after turning down two offers of a new contract from Rotherham. He signed a two-year contract with an option for a further year. Although he was signed originally as a centre-half, he was used as a right-back.His first goal for Blackpool was a last-minute winner against Dario Gradi
Dario Gradi
Dario Gradi MBE is an Italian-born English football manager and former player, who was serving as manager of the Crewe Alexandra F.C. Academy. He is a former manager of Crewe Alexandra, with whom he has been associated for almost thirty years.Gradi is notable for his 24-year first spell as manager...
's Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
on 21 October 2006, ten minutes after the Seasiders had been reduced to ten men through Simon Gillett
Simon Gillett
Simon James Gillett is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Doncaster Rovers.-Career:From August 2006, he spent three months on loan to Blackpool. It was with the Fylde Coast club that he scored his first league goal, on 12 September, in a 1–1 draw with Chesterfield at Bloomfield Road...
's dismissal. He captained the side for the first time on 6 March 2007, in a 2–0 home win against Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
. Barker was one of two ever-present players during Blackpool's 2007–08
Blackpool F.C. season 2007-08
The 2007–08 season was Blackpool F.C.s 101st season in the Football League. It was their first season back in the second tier of English football in 29 years...
league season, the other being Paul Rachubka
Paul Rachubka
Paul Stephen Rachubka is an American-English professional Association football goalkeeper who plays for Leeds United after joining the club from Blackpool ....
. He was also the vice captain for the season.
For the 2008–09 season, Rob Edwards was named as the "on-field" captain, with Barker as vice-captain and club captain. On 1 September 2008, Barker was named in the Press Association
Press Association
The Press Association is the national news agency of the United Kingdom and Ireland, supplying multimedia news content to almost all national and regional newspapers, television and radio news, as well as many websites with text, pictures, video and data content globally...
's Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
"Team of the Week" following his performance in the club's match at Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
on 30 August. On 18 October 2008 he made his 100th league appearance for the Seasiders, in their 0–0 draw against Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
at the Keepmoat Stadium.
In the second half of the 2008–09 season, when Tony Parkes
Tony Parkes
Anthony "Tony" Parkes is an English former professional footballer. After retiring, he became a coach. He was most recently caretaker manager at Blackpool. It was the seventh such role of his coaching career, having performed the role on six occasions for...
took over as caretaker manager
Caretaker manager
In association football, a caretaker manager is someone who takes temporary charge of the management of a football club, usually when the regular manager is dismissed or leaves for a different club. However, a caretaker may also be appointed if the regular manager is ill or unable to attend to his...
, "Reggie", as he is known by Blackpool supporters, was moved to his usual centre-back role and cemented his place in that position. His performances led to his being linked with a move to Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
, which Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston
Karl Oyston
Karl Oyston is an English businessman and the chairman of Blackpool F.C.-Background:Up until 1999, Oyston spent much of his time involved in running the Oyston family businesses including property management, farming interests and publishing....
angrily dismissed, saying that "we've not had an offer from Derby... so unless anything changes drastically between now and August then he [Barker] will be starting here next season". It was later revealed that Derby had submitted a formal bid for Barker, believed to be in the region of £400,000, which was rejected.
Derby County
Barker joined Derby CountyDerby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
on 15 July 2009, for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £900,000, signing a three-year contract. Barker made his Derby début as an 89th minute substitute in a 3–2 defeat to Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
on 15 August, his start to the season being delayed by a slight hamstring strain. He made his first start for Derby in a 1–0 defeat to Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
on 12 September, going on to make thirteen consecutive appearances and scoring his first goal for the club in a 3–2 defeat to 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...
on 15 September. However, having been playing through a thigh injury, a scan after Derby's 2–1 win over Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
on 28 November revealed that the tear in his thigh muscle had gotten worse, ruling him out for several weeks. Barker made his return from injury with a substitute appearance in Derby's FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
win over Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
on 12 January 2010 and started the next game, a 3–0 win over Peterborough
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
on 16 January. From this point Barker shrugged off the injury problems that had curtailed the earlier part of his season and finished the season with a run of 23 consecutive appearances, scoring twice (the third in a 3–0 win over Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
and the equaliser in a 1–1 draw away to Q.P.R.
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...
) to take his tally for the season to five. Barker enjoyed a successful first season with Derby and, although the side struggled in the league, only achieving safety in the 44th fixture, he was awarded The Jack Stamps Trophy before the final game of the season against 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...
., his second successive Player of the Year award after winning Blackpool's 2008/09 award. Whilst Derby finished midtable in 2009/10, Barker's former club Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
earned promotion to the Premier League leading some observers to suggest he might regret the decision to move to a supposed bigger club. Of this Barker said,
- "I'd make the same choice. It's funny how things work out. Obviously I made the move with a long-term view to getting in the Premier League. I looked at the reality, everything was right. A bigger club, more money – and I don't care what some say, that's a big thing. I had an offer to improve my life, move back to my family and do the right thing for my two-year-old daughter. People go on about how much footballers earn but it's a short career and outside the top level you need to be careful and do right for your family. I was looking at one day playing in the Premier League and everything at Derby seemed right. "I was delighted for (Blackpool) but there is bound to be that little thought of 'What if?' What Ian HollowayIan HollowayIan Scott Holloway is an English football manager and former player. He became the manager of Blackpool in May 2009. Holloway is well-known amongst football fans for his off-the-wall interviews, with a wide selection of quotes and soundbites being printed. Holloway's playing career spanned 18...
has done there is beyond comprehension."
Barker was named Derby's Vice Captain ahead of the 2010/11 campaign and started the season as first choice centrehalf alongside Dean Leacock
Dean Leacock
Dean Leacock is an English footballer of Barbadian descent. He currently plays for Championship side Derby County, primarily as a centre back, but he can also play as a right back or a defensive midfielder....
. His first goal of the season came in the ninth match, as he netted a crucial equaliser against Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
in first half stoppage time that spurred The Rams onto a 3–1 win. On December 14, 2010, it was also announced he had signed a new 3 deal with the club, taking him through until July 2014. Although Derby once again struggled, Barker featured in every game bar one - which he missed due to suspension - throughout the campaign up until safety was assured on Easter Monday
Easter Monday
Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday and is celebrated as a holiday in some largely Christian cultures, especially Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox cultures...
2011. With safety assured, he had surgery on a knee
Knee
The knee joint joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations: one between the fibula and tibia, and one between the femur and patella. It is the largest joint in the human body and is very complicated. The knee is a mobile trocho-ginglymus , which permits flexion and extension as...
problem which had been an issue throughout most of his two years at Derby and had prevented him from training for the majority of the end of the 2010-11 season. As a result, Barker missed the first 16 games of the following season, returning to action in a reserve fixture against Sheffield United on 15th November 2011.
Statistics
(correct as of 29 November 2011)| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Rotherham United Rotherham United F.C. Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history... |
2002–03 Football League One Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system.... |
11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| 2003–04 Football League One Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system.... |
36 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 41 | 2 | |
| 2004–05 Football League One Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system.... |
33 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 34 | 2 | |
| 2005–06 Football League One Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system.... |
43 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 46 | 3 | |
| Total | 123 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 132 | 7 | |
| Blackpool Blackpool F.C. Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the... |
2006–07 Football League One Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system.... |
45 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 51 | 4 |
| 2007–08 Football League Championship The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League... |
46 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 50 | 2 | |
| 2008–09 Football League Championship The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League... |
43 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 0 | |
| Total | 134 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 145 | 6 | |
| Derby County Derby County F.C. Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English... |
2009–10 Football League Championship The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League... |
35 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 5 |
| 2010–11 Football League Championship The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League... |
43 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 45 | 1 | |
| 2011–12 Football League Championship The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| Total | 81 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 86 | 6 | |
| Career total | 378 | 18 | 13 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 363 | 19 | |
Achievements
Rotherham United- Young Player of the Year: 2002–03
Blackpool
- Player of the Year: 2006–07
- Accolade of players’ player of the year
Derby
- Fans Player of the Year: 2009–10
Honours
Blackpool- League OneFootball League OneFootball League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
play-off final winner: 2006–07
External links
- Shaun Barker profile at the Derby County website