Fred Barber made over one-hundred and thirty-four appearances for Darlington before moving to Everton in April 1986. Fred came through the Darlington ranks as an apprentice and following his debut against Stockport County in March 1983 he went on to make the goalkeeping spot his own for the next three years before moving to Goodison Park.

Barber went on to have a much travelled career spending time at over ten clubs which included Walsall, Peterborough, Ipswich Town and Birmingham. The goalkeeper could have started his career at Rochdale. Quakers offered the youngster a two year apprenticeship but Rochdale offered an additional year as a professional. Despite the improved offer from Rochdale Barber joined Darlington.

The local Ferryhill born player was a regular for Darlington's reserves who then competed in the Northern League and Barber admits it toughened him up. An injury to Pat Cuff handed Barber, then nineteen, his debut in March 1983. Despite conceding an early goal Barber went on to claim the man of the match award as Darlington won 3-1 with Barber setting up a goal for Alan Walsh with a long punt up field. More man of the match awards followed with Barber winning an impressive four in a row as he enjoyed an excellent start to his Darlington career.

Barber stayed with Darlington until April 1986 and played under manager Cyril Knowles. He was part of the 1984/85 squad which gained promotion from the fourth division as well as beating Middlesbrough in the FA Cup in January 1985. Barber played an important part in setting up the replay keeping a clean sheet as Darlington held Boro at Ayresome Park. Despite a lot of trouble in the replay Darlington took a 2-0 lead. Boro pulled one back but Quakers held on for one of their biggest giant killing acts in the club's history. Darlington lost in the next round 3-0 to Telford.

Around a year later Barber watched Wales play Northern Ireland on the television and saw Neville Southall, who played for Everton, injury his ankle ligaments. It was the start of a move to Goodison Park. At 10.30pm the same night, Knowles phoned up the Darlington keeper and told him that Everton wanted to speak to him. Barber quickly agreed terms with Howard Kendall and he joined Everton.

Barber only spent a short time at Everton before moving to Walsall where he played a crucial role in the club's Division Three play-off final replay victory in the 1987/88 season over Bristol City. Indeed, after the two-legged final had ended in a 3-3 aggregate draw, Barber saved two penalties in the subsequent penalty shootout which determined who would have home advantage in the replay. Walsall took advantage of this home advantage, and Barber kept a clean sheet as Walsall romped home to a 4-0 victory.

A spell at Birmingham in 1996 saw Barber career end in January. He was to play just two games for the Blues before an injury forced his premature retirement from the full-time game. In the summer of 1996 he was appointed as a part-time goalkeeper coach with Bolton, in a role which was to be made permanent a few years later. Initially, he also combined his role at the Wanderers with part time spells at West Bromwich Albion and Burnley as well as one final fling as a player with Kidderminster Harriers in 1997.