Richie Barker

Richie Joseph Barker (23 November 1939 – 11 October 2020) was an English footballer and manager who played in the Football League for Derby County, Notts County and Peterborough United. He was also manager of Shrewsbury Town, Stoke City, Notts County, Ethnikos Piraeus (Greece), Zamalek (Egypt) and West Bromwich Albion.

He attended Loughborough Grammar School, and left in 1958.

Playing career Barker was born in Loughborough and began his career with non-league Burton Albion in 1960. In the summer of 1965 he played abroad in the Eastern Canada Professional Soccer League with Hamilton Primos. He spent seven years with the "Brewers" and scored a club record 159 goals before joining Derby County in 1967 as one of Brian Clough's first signings. He played 31 times in 1967–68 scoring 12 goals and after scoring just twice in 14 in 1968–69 he was sold to Notts County in December 1968. He enjoyed a far more successful career with the "Magpies" scoring 20 goals in 1969–70 and 13 in 1970–71 helping Jimmy Sirrel's side win the Fourth Division title. After falling out of favour at Meadow Lane he ended his playing career with a season at Peterborough United before moving into coaching.

Managerial career Barker began his coaching career with Shrewsbury Town working alongside Alan Durban and once Durban left for Stoke City in February 1978 Barker took over as manager of the "Shrews".

Career statistics Playing career

Managerial career

Honours Player Notts County Football League Fourth Division: 1970–71

Manager Zamalek African Cup of Champions Clubs: 1986

Death Barker died on 12 October 2020, at the age of 80.