Ferryhill-born Fred Barber is among that bunch of former Darlington players who are able to say that the club helped him go on to play at a much higher level of the game.

The goalkeeper joined Everton in March 1985, taken to Goodison Park as deputy to Neville Southall, after three impressive seasons between the sticks for Darlington during which time he played over 160 games.

[caption id="attachment_12244" align="alignnone" width="212"] Fred Barber[/caption]

He was part of the team that defeated Middlesbrough in the FA Cup, but the highlight of his time with the club was promotion from Division Four in 1985, the low point most likely being the infamous 7-0 defeat at York City on October 5, 1985.

Speaking in the Farewell to Feethams book, he said: “Afterwards, we were all invited to see the Lord Mayor of York, who just happened to be a Darlington fan. We couldn’t turn the invitation down, so of course I got all the jokes – like ‘what do you want to drink, Fred? Seven up?’”

Fred is pictured with former midfielder Dave Woodcock while meeting the Printers Pie five-a-side team at a community event in August 1985. Darlington-born Woodcock, a former Sunderland player, was manager of Darlington RA for several years during which time he led them through local leagues and into the Northern League.

[caption id="attachment_12243" align="alignnone" width="300"] Fred Barber and Dave Woodcock[/caption]