Yorkshire Times September 17, 1949

Dearne F.C. Secretary led England

Dearne Athletic F.C. are in good hands with “Bill” Barker as secretary.

“Bill” started playing soccer when he was eight and a half. He earned a Totty Cup and Shield medals with Goldthorpe schoolboys, played with Dearne Valley boys—and should have played for Yorkshire but for an illness.

He later played for the old Goldthorpe United (“Comrades”) and  captained Dearne on his return from war service.

“Bill ” was a K.O.Y.L.I., was taken prisoner at Arras on May 20th, 1940, and released by the Russians on the same date—exactly five years later. At a prisoner of war he captained an England versus a Rest of Europe side in Czechoslovakia. The England eleven won  1-0 and “Bill” got the goal.

Before the war, “Bill ” played with South Kirkby Colliery: figured with Barnsley when he was 17. Now in his experience hands lie the secretarial duties          of Dearne, Sheffield Association League and Rawmarsh League club. He will be a disappointing man if they do not finish in the top four in each league this time.

They have made a good start.