| Charlie Barker | |
| Fullname: | Charlie Mel Barker[1] |
| Birth Date: | 12 February 2003 |
| Birth Place: | Rotherham, England |
| Height: | 1.8m (05.9feet) |
| Position: | Defender |
| Currentclub: | Crawley Town |
| Clubnumber: | 5 |
| Youthyears1: | –2020 |
| Youthclubs1: | Charlton Athletic |
| Years1: | 2020–2023 |
| Clubs1: | Charlton Athletic |
| Caps1: | 3 |
| Goals1: | 0 |
| Years2: | 2021 |
| Clubs2: | → Wealdstone (loan) |
| Caps2: | 3 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Years3: | 2022 |
| Clubs3: | → Hemel Hempstead Town (loan) |
| Caps3: | 7 |
| Goals3: | 0 |
| Years4: | 2022–2023 |
| Clubs4: | → Wealdstone (loan) |
| Caps4: | 29 |
| Goals4: | 0 |
| Years5: | 2023–2024 |
| Clubs5: | Wealdstone |
| Caps5: | 43 |
| Goals5: | 2 |
| Years6: | 2024– |
| Clubs6: | Crawley Town |
| Caps6: | 11 |
| Goals6: | 0 |
| Club-Update: | 22:10, 3 December 2024 (UTC) |
Charlie Mel Barker (born 12 February 2003) is an English footballer who plays as a defender for club Crawley Town.
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".[2]
In his second senior appearance, an EFL Cup tie against Swindon Town, he scored his first senior goal as his side won 3–1.[3]
On 13 May 2023, it was announced that Barker would leave the club when his contract expired in June.[4]
On 24 September 2021, Barker joined non-league Wealdstone on a month's youth loan.[5] 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.[6]
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]
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]
On 30 June 2023, Barker joined Wealdstone on a permanent contract following the expiry of his deal at Charlton Athletic.[11]
On 24 June 2024, Barker signed for newly promoted League One club Crawley Town for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year deal.[12] [13] He scored his first goal for Crawley in an EFL Trophy tie against Brighton & Hove Albion U21s on 20 August 2024.[14]
He is the son of former professional footballer and manager Richie Barker.
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Charlton Athletic | 2020–21 | League One | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2021–22 | League One | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2022–23 | League One | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Charlton Athletic total | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 11 | 1 | |||
| Wealdstone (loan) | 2021–22 | National League | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Hemel Hempstead Town (loan) | 2022–23 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | |||
| Wealdstone (loan) | 2022–23 | National League | 29 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | 30 | 0 | |||
| Wealdstone | 2023–24 | National League | 43 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 | 47 | 2 | ||
| Crawley Town | 2024–25 | League One | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 17 | 1 | |
| Career total | 96 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 12 | 1 | 116 | 4 | |||