Career Record for Featherstone
Appearances			Tries	Goals	Drop Goals	Points
Total	Start	Sub
199	175	24	28	0	0	100

The familiar saying 'lf at first you don't succeed, try try again' could well have been applied to Nigel Barker who thrilled the Rovers supporters in the 1980s. However, it could have been a different story if he had not persisted with his career and desire to play for the club. He played with Featherstone Juniors in the forwards, but at the Under 19 stage he was advised to play open age football to develop his game. He joined the Featherstone Miners Welfare club and eventually settled into the full-back position. His displays began to interest senior clubs, but he was still intent on playing for his home club. He signed in December 1980 at the comparatively ripe old age of twenty-five, but it did not take him too long to make up for lost time.

He made his senior debut on 25 January 1981 at home to Hull when John Marsden, the current incumbent of the number one jersey, was injured. It was not until the beginning of the next season, however, that he was able to establish himself properly.  Selected for the opening game of the season with Castleford, he took the opportunity in fine style and played in all 34 games that season. His first tries (a brace) were scored in the 36-9 home win over York on 15 November 1981 and his fine run of consecutive appearances continued into the 1982/83 season. The run ended at 47 appearances, but he only missed 3 of the 37 games played that season. In February 1983, after a comfortable Zl-5 first round win over Batley, it was hard to envisage that the Rovers were on the verge of another historic RL Cup run. A second round encounter at Salford was formidable and, in an absorbing tussle, the Rovers withstood everything Salford threw at them and produced their own Man of the Match in Nigel Barker. Apart from his defensive stint, twice he ran from deep and waltzed through the Salford defence to score two match-winning tries in a 17 -11 victory. Two more epic games followed against St Helens (11-10) and Bradford (11-6) in the semi-final. In both games, Barker was described as a 'tower of strength', showing to the full his main attributes of a superb defence, masterly under the high ball, and proficient at bringing the ball away from his line. Wembley crowned what probably ranks as his best season (with his highest seasonal try tally of 10).

He continued to hold the number one spot and had another successful season in 1985/86, when again, he featured in all 34 games in the season - this was quite an achievement. The following year, Chris Bibb came to the fore and Barker's appearances began to diminish. His last full game in the senior team was at home to Wigan on 1 March 1989, although he did appear as a substitute in the match at home to Warrington on 16 April 1989. He then concentrated on passing his experience on in the 'A' team until 1991, by which time he had completed 10 years service with the club, and was granted a testimonial. A Rovers career which had begun relatively late thus came to an end at the age of thirty-six, an achievement which demonstrates the persistence, dedication and talent which Nigel Barker brought to the club.

 

Biography by Ron Bailey