UPDATED: ‘ Chris Barker sad news ‘

Footballer Chris Barker dies: Former Cardiff City, QPR and Barnsley star passes away, aged 39

Barker made over 150 appearances for the Bluebirds between 2002 and 2007, helping the club to promotion in his first season at Ninian Park



2 JAN 2020

Chris Barker signed for Cardiff City in 2002


Barker made over 150 appearances for the Bluebirds between 2002 and 2007, helping the club to promotion in his first season at Ninian Park

Former Cardiff City footballer Chris Barker has died at the age of 39.

World in Motion, the sports management agency who represented Barker throughout his 18-year career, tweeted on Thursday morning: "It is with great sadness that we learn of the untimely and tragic passing at the age of 39 of Chris Barker.

"Chris was a client throughout his outstanding playing career of over 500 League games for clubs including Barnsley, Cardiff City, Queens Park Rangers and Plymouth Argyle.

"Moreover, Chris was a wonderful person, an absolute gentleman and a pleasure to work for."

Having started his career with Barnsley, Barker spent five years at Ninian Park, playing for Cardiff between 2002 and 2007.

During his time with the Bluebirds, Barker made 162 appearances - winning promotion in his first year at the club.

Spells at Stoke City, Colchester United, QPR, Plymouth, Southend, Aldershot, Hereford and Weston-super-Mare followed before he retired from football in 2017.

A number of fans and former team-mates have taken to social media to pay tribute to Barker.

Former Cardiff City striker Andy Campbell tweeted: "RIP Chris Barker, so so sad. A friend, a teammate & all round nice fella.

"A good solid hard player on the field & great banter off it. Had some quality days and nights on the beer. My thoughts & prayers with his family & daughter at this sad time."

Barker had recently spoken to the Cardiff City website about his time with the Bluebirds, telling the club last December how much the support of the fans meant to him.

“It was a terrific atmosphere, and great for the home team to have 16-17,000 fans standing up and supporting you throughout. I think we would have started matches 1-0 up just from the crowd having your back.

“The supporters were fantastic to me throughout my time at the Club. I received player of the year one season, after I’d come back from a loan at Stoke City.

“I think that was a highlight for me during my time at the Club. To come back from that loan spell at the beginning of the season to then play around 40 matches for City was good enough in itself, but for the paying fans who come out every week and watch to then vote for me at the end of that campaign was an achievement that I am still proud of to this day."








UPDATED:

Sadly it’s true





There’s post going around on Facebook and Twitter he’s killed himself... very sad if true

Chris Barker aged 39’

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Hopefully not true

let's hope it's not true

ANDY EVANS:


Can’t comprehend the breaking news. Transferred Chris Barker to Cardiff City and then to QPR, ironic given today’s fixture. Such a wonderful guy, client and stalwart for Cardiff City FC. Genuinely gutted. RIP Chris Barker.

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I knew Chris Barker really well and his girlfriend and daughter, very very sad news . RIP

Always had time for people and I use to chat to Chris for hours in the coffee shop on Albany road.

A True Gent

Really feel for his family

Devastating news a.great player and man who loved it so much in cardiff he lived here. RIP Chris wish you could have found the help to continue. Remember the importance of mental health chaps

Unfortunately, and so sadly this is true. I had a phone call late this afternoon from his best mate who along with Chris, played cricket in the Cardiff midweek league for our team. I am still in shock at the news, as Chris was such a popular and likeable team mate.

See him up the gym regularly always happy to have a chat very sad news

Such terrible news. Thoughts with his family and friends.

Such tragic news. R.I.P Chris. Another Bluebird in heaven

My condolences to family and friends, RIP Chris, a true gent, great player and wore the shirt with pride


Another in heaven too soon.

This is devastating news... was strangely talking about Chris Barker in the pub recently

gutted

R.I.P.

Puts the rest of the crap on this board into perspective. Makes a 6-1 loss seem pretty irrelevant

Terrible news.

I remember reading previously that Chris was a deep person who struggled with the sudden loss of his Dad which I could relate to.

Devastating for his family and friends, awfull news indeed.

Shocking and sad news. RIP Chris

Very sad news RIP Chris Barker

Puts the rest of the crap on this board into perspective. Makes a 6-1 loss seem pretty irrelevant

No truer words spoken,very popular likeable bloke,such tragic news,thoughts with his family and close friends rip Chris, once a always a

Very very sad news.

We all go through tough times.

RIP.

Devastating news truly gutted, R.I.P bluebird

Very sad news condolences to the family RIP CHRIS BARKER

Ah f**k was hoping it wasn't true, so sad RIP

Very sad news like others here I have met him many times bumped into him when he was playing for us while in Porthcawl had so much time for my son even though he was out with his missus and baby in a pram at the time my wife was looking at the baby and chatting to them she thought he was my mate from work the way we were chatting he was so chatty and friendly I had to explain to her he was a Cardiff footballer not a friend in work

I met him then in the 3 archers 1 afternoon and again really friendly chatted for ages about Cardiff City etc this is really very sad a young man with a young family this is the second poor bloke who has taking their life in the last 2 weeks that I know of

very sad RIP

Gutted to hear about this! Never met Chris, but heard he was a top bloke. Always thought he was consistently good when he played for us. Deepest condolences to his family and friends. RIP Chris.

Such sad news. RIP big man.

This is Heart breaking, condolences to the family at this incredibly sad time. x

This is Heart breaking, condolences to the family at this incredibly sad time. x

Sad news indeed. RIP Chris and hope there are those around who can take care of the family.
Please let more be done for men's mental health.

R.I.P. Chris.
Enjoyed watching you give your all for city,you will never be forgotten.

I can only re-iterate the sad messages of condolence that have been posted so far.
R.I.P Chris Barker.

Jus seen this online sad news one of my fav cardiff players over the years god bless RIP Chris thoughts with his family friends at this horiffic time