Charlie Mel Barker (born 12 February 2003) is an English

footballer A football player or footballer is a sportsperson who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, American football, Canadian football, Australian rules football, Gaelic football, rugby le ...

who plays as a defender for club Crawley Town.

Career

Charlton Athletic

Barker made his senior debut for Charlton on 1 September 2020 in a 2–1

EFL Trophy The English Football League Trophy, known for sponsorship purposes as the Papa Johns Trophy after restaurant chain Papa John's Pizza, is an annual English association football knockout competition open to all clubs in EFL League One and EFL Le ...

defeat to

AFC Wimbledon AFC Wimbledon is an English professional Association football, football club, based in London Borough of Merton, Merton, London, that plays in the EFL League Two, after being relegated from the EFL League One following the 2021–22 EFL Leagu ...

. 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". In his second senior appearance, an

EFL Cup The EFL Cup (referred to historically, and colloquially, as the League Cup), currently known as the Carabao Cup for sponsorship reasons, is an annual knockout competition and major trophy in men's domestic football in England. Organised by the ...

tie against Swindon Town, he scored his first senior goal as his side won 3–1. On 13 May 2023, it was announced that Barker would leave the club when his contract expired in June.

Wealdstone (loan)

On 24 September 2021, Barker joined non-league Wealdstone on a month's youth loan. 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.

Hemel Hempstead Town (loan)

On 1 September 2022, Barker joined Hemel Hempstead Town on loan until 1 January 2023. On 28 October 2022, it was announced that Barker had been recalled early by Charlton Athletic.

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. On 3 January 2023, the loan was extended until the end of the 2022–23 season.

Wealdstone

On 30 June 2023, Barker joined Wealdstone on a permanent contract following the expiry of his deal at Charlton Athletic.

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. He scored his first goal for Crawley in an

tie against Brighton & Hove Albion U21s on 20 August 2024.

Personal life

He is the son of former professional footballer and manager Richie Barker.

Career statistics

References

External links

* * 2003 births Living people English men's footballers Men's association football defenders Charlton Athletic F.C. players Wealdstone F.C. players Hemel Hempstead Town F.C. players Crawley Town F.C. players English Football League players National League (English football) players Place of birth missing (living people) {{England-footy-defender-2000s-stub