Trevor Barker

Trevor Barker (7 October 1956 – 25 April 1996) was an Australian rules footballer with the St Kilda Football Club in the league now known as the Australian Football League (then called the Victorian Football League).^[1] Barker was in many ways a shining light during a particularly tough time on and off the field for St Kilda in the 1970s and 1980s. While Barker was seen by many to be the glamour boy of the St Kilda team, he was the heart and soul of a club that reached some dark times throughout his career.

VFL Career 1975-1989

Barker was Recruited from Cheltenham Football Club in 1975.^[2] He made his debut wearing number 25 against Hawthorn in Round 2 on 12 April 1975.^[3] He changed to his iconic number 1 in 1977, and was selected to represent Victoria at interstate level. He would go on to represent Victoria seven times.

Barker won St Kilda's best and fairest award in 1976 and 1981.

Barker played during an era of little club success, which included St Kilda being wooden spooners in 1977, 1979, 1983–86, and 1988.

Barker was captain of the St Kilda Football Club from 1983 to 1986.^[4] Barker was a regular feature on the VFL highlight reel with his spectacular high-marking punctuated by his courageous approach to the ball.

Barker is (as of 2013) one of only five players in the AFL/VFL to play 200 games or more without playing a final (the other four are Steve Smith and Gary Hardeman of Melbourne, teammate Geoff Cunningham and Ted Pool of Hawthorn). As he got older he would regularly miss games through chronic injury until he retired after the 1989 sesson.

Many football experts noted that Barker could have easily fitted in to the powerhouse teams of the competition and there were plays for his services but his loyalty never wavered and he stuck with the club throughout his entire career.

Coaching

After retiring from the Saints in 1989, Barker embarked on a coaching career with Victorian Football Association club Sandringham. He coached the Zebras to Premierships in 1992 and 1994 before leaving after his second premiership to return to the Saints as an assistant coach to Stan Alves.

Death

Barker had to put his coaching career on hold mid-way through the 1995 season for health reasons. Trevor Barker died on 25 April 1996.^[5] Barker was 39 when he died when his liver failed after a prolonged battle with colon cancer.

Legacy

His contribution to St Kilda FC, particularly in the 1980s when the club had severe financial difficulties, was significant.^[6][7][8] St Kilda's best and fairest award, instituted in 1914, is named the Trevor Barker Award as a mark of respect to his contribution to the St Kilda Football Club.^[9] Barker was named in the club's Team of the Century 1900-1999.^[10]

His name was also inducted to the St Kilda Football Club Hall Of Fame in 2003. The home of the Sandringham Football Club was also named Trevor Barker Beach Oval, in his honour.^[11]

Trevor Barkers name was officially elevated to Legend Status in the St. Kilda Football Club Hall Of Fame on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at an official club function.^[12]

References

External links

• Friends of Cheltenham and Regional Cemeteries Inc
• Cheltenham Cricket Club
• Cheltenham Football Club
• St Kilda Football Club official website
• Trevor Barker's statistics from AFL Tables