Charlie Barker (footballer)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Charlie Barker in 2024. | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Charlie Mel Barker[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 12 February 2003 | ||
| Place of birth | Rotherham, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[2] | ||
| Position | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Crawley Town | ||
| Number | 5 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2020 | Charlton Athletic | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2020–2023 | Charlton Athletic | 3 | (0) |
| 2021 | → Wealdstone (loan) | 3 | (0) |
| 2022 | → Hemel Hempstead Town (loan) | 7 | (0) |
| 2022–2023 | → Wealdstone (loan) | 29 | (0) |
| 2023–2024 | Wealdstone | 43 | (2) |
| 2024– | Crawley Town | 76 | (2) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 17:10, 31 March 2026 (UTC) | |||
Charlie Mel Barker (born 12 February 2003) is an English footballer who plays as a defender for EFL League Two club Crawley Town.
Charlton Athletic
Barker made his senior debut for Charlton on 1 September 2020 in a 2–1 EFL Trophy defeat to AFC Wimbledon. In response to Barker's senior Charlton debut, manager Lee Bowyer said "I thought young Barker was outstanding, outstanding. He didn't put a foot wrong all night, in possession and out of possession".[3]
In his second senior appearance, an EFL Cup tie against Swindon Town, he scored his first senior goal as his side won 3–1.[4]
On 13 May 2023, it was announced that Barker would leave the club when his contract expired in June.[5]
Wealdstone (loan)
On 24 September 2021, Barker joined non-league Wealdstone on a month's youth loan.[6] He made his debut in a 1–0 away win against Kings Lynn Town, and would go on to make three appearances for the club.[2]
Hemel Hempstead Town (loan)
On 1 September 2022, Barker joined Hemel Hempstead Town on loan until 1 January 2023.[7]
On 28 October 2022, it was announced that Barker had been recalled early by Charlton Athletic.[8]
Wealdstone (second loan)
On the same day Barker was recalled from Hemel Hempstead Town, he made the switch back to Wealdstone until 1 January 2023.[9] On 3 January 2023, the loan was extended until the end of the 2022–23 season.[10]
Wealdstone
On 30 June 2023, Barker joined Wealdstone on a permanent contract following the expiry of his deal at Charlton Athletic.[11] On 25 November 2023, he scored his first goal for the club, heading in a 98th minute winner in a 3–2 victory over local rivals Barnet.[12]
Crawley Town
On 24 June 2024, Barker signed for newly promoted League One club Crawley Town for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year deal.[13][14] He scored his first goal for Crawley in an EFL Trophy tie against Brighton & Hove Albion U21s on 20 August 2024.[15] Despite the 2024–25 season ending in disappointment with relegation, Barker was named Crawley Town Player of the Season.[16]
Personal life
He is the son of former professional footballer and manager Richie Barker.[3]