| Dean Barker | |
| Nationality: | British (English) |
| Birth Date: | 1970 8, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Isleworth, Middlesex, England |
| Career1: | Great Britain |
| Years2: | 1986–1989, 1993–1995, 1997, 1999–2003, 2005–2007 |
| Career2: | Eastbourne Eagles |
| Years3: | 1987–1988 |
| Career3: | Cradley Heathens |
| Years4: | 1990–1992 |
| Career4: | Oxford Cheetahs |
| Years5: | 2004 |
| Career5: | Arena Essex Hammers |
| Career6: | Sweden |
| Years7: | 2002 |
| Career7: | Luxo Stars |
| Teamyear1: | 1995, 2000 |
| Teamhonour1: | PL/EL (tier 1) |
| Teamyear2: | 1994, 1997, 2002 |
| Teamhonour2: | BL/EL KO Cup (tier 1) |
| Teamyear3: | 1986, 1987 |
| Teamhonour3: | NL (tier 2) |
| Teamyear4: | 1986, 1987 |
| Teamhonour4: | NL KO Cup (tier 2) |
Dean Barker (born 2 August 1970) is a former British international motorcycle speedway rider who competed at the sports highest level until his retirement in 2007.[1] [2]
Barker first rode for Eastbourne Eagles during the 1986 National League season, although he only appeared in 14 matches that season he contributed to a league and cup double winning season for the south coast club.[3] The following season in 1987, Barker and Eastbourne repeated the success to record the 'double double'.[4]
He was one of Eastbourne's leading riders by the time Oxford Cheetahs came in to sign him for the 1990 British League season, where he would ride alongside Hans Nielsen.[5] In 1993, he returned to Eastbourne and was an integral part of the Eagles team that won the 1994 Knockout Cup and 1995 Premier League.[1] [6]
He won another Knockout Cup in 1997 but suffered serious injuries that forced him to miss two entire seasons in 1996 with a broken leg and 1998 with a broken arm.[7] However, after making a successful comeback in 1999 he won the Elite League in 2000 and the Knockout Cup in 2002.
His farewell meeting in 2009 celebrated a career which included highlights of becoming Eastbourne Eagles captain and racing to podiums in major competitions such as the British Under 21 Championship and the British Championship.[8] At retirement he had earned 14 caps for England and 4 caps for Great Britain.[9]