Name: Shaun Barker
Position: Defender
Date of Birth: 19th September 1982
Club: Derby County
Previous Clubs: Rotheham United, Blackpool

What do you remember about your first ever match?
I broke my hand after about two minutes! It was away at Brighton, not the greatest ground at the time. I found myself chucked in to the first-team and I broke my hand after two minutes so I was strapped up. I was a long-throw specialist then and had my hand pretty much strapped around the ball! We lost the game 2-0 but I did okay so it was a decent debut

Who was your childhood hero?
As everyone will probably know I was a Forest fan growing up so Stuart Pearce was always the one that was a legend at the City Ground. I was a Stuart Pearce fan as a youngster

When did you realise you had a chance to progress in the game?
Not until I was about 16. I'd signed as an under-16 at Rotherham and didn't think I'd get a pro deal but they offered me one. I wasn't really desperate to take it at the time as football wasn't where I really wanted to go in life but my dad persuaded me, that it was a really good opportunity to take

Which coach had the biggest influence on your career?
I would have to say Alan Knill. He was my youth team coach at Rotherham and spent a lot of time with me, got my head around the fact that I might be playing football for a living, then he ended up managing there and I had six months with him before I moved to Blackpool

What did you spend your first wage packet on?
I honestly can't remember! I didn't really spend my first half-decent deal much because I was saving for a car I had been after for ages. I was driving a K-reg Clio at the time and it kept breaking down but I'd seen the Alfa Romeo 147 when they first got released so all my bonuses and wages were getting piled in to that. I was a bit of a saver so it didn't take too long

Does your squad number have a special meaning to you?
Not really, but I've always liked the number five as if you're a centre-half it's the number to have. I've always tried to get that number wherever I've been and I've been lucky enough to play at two clubs now with that number on

Who did you last swap shirts with?
One of my best mates, David Fox, who is at Norwich City. I haven't swapped with too many players, I'm not really a big person on that, but if you play against a friend I do and Foxy was the last one when Norwich were at our place last season

How has the game changed for the better since you became a pro?
I just think the ability and fitness are a lot higher, the game is a lot quicker now

If you could have coached yourself when you were a teenager, what advice would you have passed on?
Probably to work more on my first touch and passing, and my left foot as well! I was always quite strong in the air and a decent tackler but I've never been blessed with technical skills so I'd have seen if I could do anything else with that, if not then I'd have said do what I've done

If you stay in the game at the end of your career, what will you do? a) Manager; b) Coach; c) Scout; d) Physio; e) Pundit?
I've not really ever thought of me continuing with the game but I've done coaching badges. As soon as my Mrs was pregnant it was one of those where I thought I'd best do something just in case. I'd wait and see what happens. It's okay saying you don't want to be a coach or a manager but if you get offered a job when you've finished and you're still involved in the game, it's tough to turn down. I'm saying nothing at the moment but if something came up I'd definitely give it a go

What do you want to be best remembered for at the end of your career?
Probably the same things people think of me now - always give my best, I'm usually there to be relied on. I'm not your player that's going to set the game alight and be a goalscorer or anything like that, it's never been my game, but I always aim to give it my best and know that I've given everything to every club I've played for

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