Syd_Barker_Jr.
Syd Barker Jr.
Australian rules footballer
Sydney Quinton Barker Jr. (15 October 1911 – 7 March 1965)[1] was an Australian rules footballer who played with North Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
Barker was born in North Melbourne on 15 October 1911.[2] His father, Syd Barker Sr., was then playing for the North Melbourne Football Club in the Victorian Football Association and would go on to captain-coach the club in the VFL.[3]
A follower, Barker was described as being sturdily built like his father, who died in March 1930.[4][5] It was that year that Barker Junior joined the club and he made his debut in round 12, against St Kilda.[6] He played in all of North Melbourne's remaining games that season and appeared in all 18 rounds of the 1931 VFL season.[6] It was not until 1932 that he featured in a win, with North Melbourne having lost all 26 of his prior games.[6][7] This is the longest streak of losses before a first win for any player who has not played for St Kilda or University.[7] He played six games that year and another 10 in 1933, then was omitted from the North Melbourne list.
He sought a clearance to Essendon in 1934, for which he required a residential clearance from South Melbourne, as he lived in Middle Park.[8][9] The clearance was granted by South Melbourne and he joined Essendon in June, but he would not get to appear in league football for his new club.[6][10]