Jeffrey Barker (16 October 1915 – March 1985) was a professional footballer.
He started his career at Goole Town, before joining Scunthorpe and Lindsey United in 1935. After a year in the Midland League, his exceptional skills got him signed up by Aston Villa for a fee of £400 in November 1936.
He remained at Villa for ten years but only managed three league appearances, before his career was interrupted by World War II. In September 1939, he played in the Villa Reserves last pre-war game at home to Derby County. On 4th September the Government announced a ban on Sport to prevent crowds gathering. Villa's League match away to Wolves was one of over thirty mid-week League fixtures called-off.Ban on Sport, Birmingham Evening Mail, 4 September 1939, p3 Villa Park found itself in an evacuation district designated under the British Government's civilian evacuation scheme.No Competitive Football, Chronicle, 16 September 1939, p5 The Police Chief Constable of Birmingham, C.C.H Moriarty, intimated that he would not sanction football matches within the city of Birmingham.No Football at Villa Park or St Andrews Yet, Evening Despatch, 25 September 1939, p6Swindon Advertiser, 10 November 1939, p8 The Football League's Scheme for War-time football proposed to limit gates to 8,000 in evacuation areas. With their large overheads, the directors of Aston Villa and Sunderland announced their intention to close down.Big Names in Football that will not be seen in War-Time Liverpool Echo, 30 September 1939, p2 The manager and players were paid off whilst Villa Park was commandeered by the War Office. Villa's players quickly found war-time employment. Barker became a constable in Birmingham City Police.Strong Villa Team, Birmingham Evening Mail, 14 September 1939, p7
Barker continued to play for Villa in the wartime leagues, making six appearances and also guested for Blackpool, Rochdale, Walsall, Watford and Huddersfield Town. In August 1942, he made a single guest appearance for Dundee United in Scotland.
After the war, he joined Huddersfield Town in November 1945, where he made 67 appearances before returning to Scunthorpe United in August 1948.
In 1974, he was in charge of "the Iron" for three games while a new manager was being approached.
He died in 1985 in Scunthorpe.
His son John also played for Scunthorpe United.
References
External links Aston Villa career details