A MATCH to remember former Southend United skipper Chris Barker will be taking place at Roots Hall this afternoon.

Here his ex team-mates remember their friend.

“Barks, what a character. He welcomed me to the club after playing against each other a few times. On the pitch a leader not by word but in performance. Off the pitch a man you could have a joke and a laugh with.” - Anthony Straker

“Barks was the first proper captain I had as a pro. He was a leader and a massive character. As a captain myself now I still at times think back to Barks for inspiration as he was one of the best skippers I’ve had. He was always be missed.” - Daniel Bentley

“Chris Barker was one of my best signings. After a week’s trial period I knew I had a club and team captain. He was a model pro who cared about the club and his fellow players. His tactical awareness had me thinking that he would become an exceptional coach and then manager. On a personal level Barks was a kind, caring man with a fantastic sense of humour. He was loved by many. He will always be missed and never forgotten. I am sorry I can’t be there but I will be thinking of everyone on this day.” - Paul Sturrock

“As a youngster there aren’t many better players to have around than Barks. A fellow left-back and what a player and man to learn from. There was nothing big-time about Barks and he was brilliant with me every single day. I still find it hard to believe he is not here and he is missed by so many.” - Johnny Herd

“I was very young when Barks was at the club but he played in the first reserve game I had. He actually took me to the game and dropped me home afterwards as well. He was always one who helped the young lads fit in and helped them wherever he could too.” - Jack Bridge

“Barks was a special man. A true professional and a leader with integrity and honesty. I was proud to partner him on the pitch at two football clubs and have many happy memories off the pitch. All Barks ever spoke about was his daughter who we are pleased to have here today and I’m so happy we have finally got this game on in his memory and to raise money for an amazing charity.” – Mark Phillips

“We signed for Southend in 2010 and I knew by the end of the season why Paul Sturrock was desperate to bring Barks in as our captain. He was a role model for a lot who needed it and had a no nonsense approach to standards and training. He gave top service to the club when the club needed it most. Like many I also remember him enjoying a litre of tea from a Sports Direct Mug and a giant bar of chocolate after training every day. I’m sure he wore the same pair of battered adidas World Cup boots during his entire stay at the club something that showed his no nonsense approach and lack of ego. He treated everybody at the club the same way and was popular and friendly with the non playing staff. I remember him as almost like a father figure to Ryan Leonard who he lived with. Finally, my biggest memory of Barks was how much he loved his daughter. He was a brilliant footballer, leader and a good person but his daughter meant more to him than anything else.” – Barry Corr

“When I first met Barks we clashed a little bit as I was probably still a bit immature and couldn’t take constructive criticism. But as the season went on I grew a lot of respect for him, not just for the player he was but also the man he was. He helped me mature as a person that season.” – Liam Dickinson

“Barks was a very humble guy who wanted the best for everyone. He was a leader on and off the pitch. He was respected by all the lads and always had their best interests at heart.” – Peter Gilbert

“A captain of a football club needs to lead from the front, be the most honest, reliable and hard working member of the team as well as taking responsibility for running the discipline of the changing room. Barks was as good a leader as I played with and was a proper football man.” – Neil Harris.

“It was a pleasure to call Chris a friend and a team-mate. It was an honour to have shared a dressing room with him. Your memory will always stay with us all mate.” – Martyn Margetson

“Chris Barker was a great man and a great captain. “ – Bilel Mohsni

"Saturday 31st of July 2010, Eastbourne Borough away pre season. The small toilet in the away changing room was positioned centrally, a very hairy northerner was sat having a poo with the door wide open. This was my introduction to Barks, I couldn’t help but think who the hell is this bloke! This would be a pre match trademark of his going forward and became absolutely normal! A fantastic man who really cared about the club, down to earth and very grounded. Barks would be happiest with a big bar of dairy milk and a brew, watching Jeremy kyle or an action film with Ryan Leonard and Graham coughlan after polishing off a pre match lasagne and chips!

"Barks was always focused around one thing other than football, his daughter Demi who he spoke about so proudly. He would make his weekly trips back to Cardiff to see her and update the rest of the lads on her progress in and out of school. I hope she realises how much she meant to him.

"My favourite moment with Barks was seeing him play at Wembley in the JPT final. He had been out with a calf tear (an area he had struggled with previously) and the main focus was on getting fit for the final as he had never played at Wembley before. Although we lost I like to think that Barks ticked off something that he wanted to achieve within the game.

"Chris is sadly missed by everyone who he came into contact with. One of life’s good guys, a man’s man. I just wish he had opened up to someone in some way about how he was feeling. Maybe as an old school style pro he felt he couldn’t. I urge anyone else to use Chris as an example to reach out & not bottle up how you feel. Rest easy Barks, I hope you are now free from pain and reunited with your parents." - Ben Clarkson

“Chris was a proper guy, a proper northern guy who said it was it was but always with a smile on his face. Barks had a dry sense of humour and loved being part of the group. He was also loved by all the group as he set a standard in training. He was a solid pro both on and off the pitch and made a massive contribution to the success we had that year. He will always be remembered and never be forgotten. RIP Barks”  - Wayne Brown

“I knew Barks from when I was a young pro at Plymouth and then when I went on trial to Southend he was already there. I was 18, moving six hours away from home getting thrown in at the deep end really and he completely took me under his wing. We ended up living together and got really, really close. He was like an older brother to me. We used to go out and drink together, go for coffees and meals and at the training ground we’d always be together. There were 10 years between us but we just clicked. He looked after me, showed me the ropes and any success I’ve had in my career is partly down to him.” - Ryan Leonard