Barnsley vs. City | Five Familiar Faces

As we prepare to face Barnsley at Oakwell on Wednesday evening, we take a look at five players to have represented both clubs.

Chris Barker

Having started his career at Alfreton Town, Barker joined Barnsley in 1999, going on to play 113 league games for the Tykes.

The defender impressed at Oakwell, becoming the first player in the club’s history to win the Young Player of the Year Award on two occasions.

In July 2002, Barker signed for City and made an instant impact, earning promotion in his first season with the club.

Barker went on to represent the Bluebirds in 162 league games, earning the club’s Player of the Year Award in the 2004/05 season.

Stephen McPhail

Another to join City from Wednesday’s opponents is McPhail.

The former Republic of Ireland international joined the Tykes in 2004, spending two seasons at the club before making the move to the Welsh capital.

McPhail quickly made an impression as a Bluebird, and had a successful seven years at the Club.

The midfielder was a part of the side that got to the FA Cup Final in 2008, as well as the League Cup Final in 2012.

In the Championship, McPhail came agonisingly close to promotion with the Bluebirds, falling just short in the 2010 Play-Off Final against Blackpool.

Michael Chopra

Having come through the ranks at Newcastle United, Chopra had brief loan spells at Watford and Nottingham Forest, before a breakthrough season at Barnsley.

During his time as a Tyke, the striker netted 17 league goals in 39 appearances, catching the attention of the Bluebirds.

Chopra signed for City in 2006 and made an immediate impact, scoring 22 league goals in his first season.

Despite signing for Premier League side Sunderland, the striker returned to the Welsh capital in 2009 and cemented his status as a fans’ favourite with another 41 goals for the club.

Jon Parkin

Retired striker Parkin started his career at Barnsley, forcing his way into the First Team, where he made ten appearances before his first spell at York City.

After spending time with Macclesfield Town, Hull City, Stoke City and Preston North End, Parkin became a Bluebird in 2011.

The striker, who scored a superb volley on his Bluebirds debut against Norwich City, went on to make 15 appearances for City, before departing in 2012. 

Having accumulated a fantastic 586 league appearances in his career, Parkin last played for York City between 2017 and 2019.

Kadeem Harris

Another to have donned both the shirts of Cardiff City and Barnsley is Harris.

The winger came through the ranks at Wycombe Wanderers and caught the eye of the Bluebirds, joining the club in January 2012.

In 2015, the winger went out on loan to the Tykes, where he played in 11 league games.

Harris returned to CCS and went on to make 70 league appearances for City, with his goal in a 4-2 Premier League win over Fulham  a highlight.

Having departed for Sheffield Wednesday in 2019, Harris now plays for Ukrainian outfit FC Metalist Kharkiv.