Background
Barker was born in North Melbourne on 15 October 1911. His father, Syd Senior, 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.
Barker was born in North Melbourne on 15 October 1911. His father, Syd Senior, 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.
A follower, Barker was described as being sturdily built like his father, who died in March 1930. lieutenant was that year that Barker Junior joined the club and he made his debut in round 12, against Street Kilda. He played in all of North Melbourne"s remaining games that season and appeared in all 18 rounds of the 1931 VFL season.
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. 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