Richie Barker

Barker is a product of the Sheffield Wednesday youth system and he signed professional forms for them in July 1993.

He could not break into the first team and, after a loan spell at Darlington, he was released from the club.

Barker had a brief loan spell in Northern Ireland with Ards in January 1996 but signed for Linfield in August 1996.

He was signed on an extended loan by Brighton & Hove Albion on an extended loan in December 1997 to add weight to their attack.

After some great performances, he was offered a permanent deal in the summer of 1998.

Barker could not settle and left in the summer of 1999 to join Macclesfield Town on a free transfer.

He broke the club record when he scored in five consecutive matches, but injured ankle ligaments in November 1999.

He played through the pain barrier but a re-occurence of the injury in March ruled him out for the rest of the season.

He attracted the attention of several clubs and he made the PFA Third Division Team of the Season.

His injury required an operation and, in 2000-01, he struggled to regain his form of the previous season, and after failing to agree a new contract he moved to Rotherham United for £60,000 in January 2001.

He extended his stay at Millmoor by a further three years in July 2003 but joined Mansfield Town in November 2004 with a contract to June 2007.

Barker joined Hartlepool United in January 2007 with a contract to June 2009.

After a loan spell, he re-joined Rotherham United in January 2009 with a contract to June 2010 but retired in May 2009 due to a knee injury.