Stellenbosch Football Club are maximizing their promising start to the National First Division campaign by strengthening their coaching department with experienced tactician Steve Barker.
Barker, 48, is no stranger to the South African football circuit and will add momentum to the club’s push for promotion to the Absa Premiership. He will join current coach Sammy Troughton in a joint coach set-up to continue improving the team.

Stellenbosch FC currently sit third on the NFD table with 21 points from 12 games, and at almost the halfway mark in the season, can be very pleased with their performance considering the team’s base switch from Cape Town to Stellenbosch and the name change only happened just before the start of the campaign.

The club have managed wins over clubs with great history behind them such as Jomo Cosmos, AmaZulu (away from home), Santos and Black Leopards (away) so far this season.

Barker played professional football in South Africa for Wits University and SuperSport United and was renowned for his no-nonsense, professional approach to the game.

As a coach, he successfully guided University of Pretoria out of the NFD and into the top-flight when they famously won promotion in 2012. Barker has also coached KZN outfit AmaZulu FC.

Asked about Barker’s move to the Cape Winelands, Stellenbosch FC’s COO, Edries Burton, had this to say: “We are delighted with the appointment of Steve Barker and believe his appointment will be an additional catalyst for our ambition to gain promotion to the Premier League.”

“Steve comes with lots of football knowledge and experience and we are confident that he will add tremendous value to our Technical Team. We wish Steve all the best.”