Match To Remember Chris Barker To Be Held At Southend United

Chris – who captained Blues at the club’s first ever Wembley cup final, tragically took his own life in 2020.

And a match to raise money for SECE Mind will now be taking place in his memory.

Event organiser Chris Phillips said: “Chris is someone who meant so much to so many people and we’ve been wanting to do this game in his memory for quite some time now.

“Obviously it’s not been possible to play it until now and I’m hoping it will be a day to really remember Chris.

“We all wish this game was taking place in different circumstances and what happened is so sad but the response we’ve had has been fantastic.

“I think that’s testament to the impact Chris had on people on and off the pitch and every penny we raise will be donated to SECE Mind.

“We want to celebrate a great man by raising money for a great cause and we also want to encourage anyone else who might be struggling to speak out.”

Saturday’s match will see a Southend side – including the likes of Barry Corr, Christan Dailly and Bilel Mohsni – taking on a team made up of Barker’s former team-mates from other clubs he played for including Anthony Wordsworth, Carl Fletcher and Kevin Betsy.

Chris’ brother Richie will be managing the team while his nephew Charlie, who is currently on the books at Charlton Athletic, will play.

Former Southend midfielder Ryan Leonard will referee the game which kicks off at 3pm.

Tickets can be bought on the day for £5 adults and £1 for under 16s or those who wish to donate and cannot make the game can make a donation online.

An online auction is also taking place alongside the match, with a number of Premier League clubs donating signed shirts.

An FA Cup sign from the Match of the Day studio signed by Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker and Micah Richards has also been donated along with boots autographed by England star Jude Bellingham.

Donations can be made to SECE Mind here.