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The Day Job – Is Lewis Barker Caldy’s Tin Man ?

Not exactly, although Lewis Barker’s day job as Operations Director for Wirral Fospray Limited, a specialist supplier of lubricants, powders and chemicals to the global aluminium extrusion industry, does provide the effervescent fly half with a bizarre link to the ‘Wizard of Oz’ character.

Buddy Ebsen who was cast as the original ‘Tin Man’ in the beloved 1939 movie, was deep into filming when he was hospitalized after suffering an extreme allergic reaction to the aluminium based face paint used as part of his ‘Tin Man’ make up. Ebsen had to leave the iconic role. His career never reached the heights it could have. His pinnacle as Jed Clampett in ‘The Beverly Hillbillies’ was not in the same league as the ‘Tin Man.’ What could have been !

It wasn’t an allergy to aluminium that curtailed Welshman Lewis Barker’s rugby career but rather a pair of dodgy knees. Whether it was the prolonged concussive impact of his staccato side steps or just bad luck, three severe ACL injuries have undoubtedly limited the burgeoning rugby opportunities that were coming his way. Plugged into the Welsh youth system Lewis’s ACL injuries came at unfortunate times. After working his way back from his first ACL injury he was in the mix for a spot for Wales at the Under 20 World Cup until his second ACL put paid to that and brought the realization that a career as a full-time professional player was not to be.

Wirral Fospray’s Lewis Barker at the recent Aluminium Exhibition Trade Fair in Dusseldorf
Image – Wirral Fospray Limited

After time with Mold RFC, RGC and Macclesfield, Lewis came to Caldy in September 2018. Caldy’s first foray into National 1 was disappointing for Lewis and the rest of the Caldy squad. The club’s last game and last-minute relegation sent them back down to National 2 North. 

Playing every game Lewis was pivotal in Caldy’s resurgence in their subsequent invincible 2019/20 season in National 2 North. His mesmerizing all action play led the Caldy attack which scored an average of more than 40 points a game.  Caldy recorded 25 league wins from 25 games. Although the season had been cut short by Covid, Caldy had secured promotion back to National 1.

After the Covid year without rugby, a third serious ACL injury in the 21/22 pre-season sidelined the Welsh maestro for the entirety of Caldy’s barnstorming National 1 promotion season. Unable to play Lewis picked up the microphone. His easy communication skills, interview technique and incisive rugby knowledge became such a highly enjoyable part of Caldy’s pre match entertainment for club sponsors and lunch guests that he still continues in this role alongside playing Championship rugby. 

Although Lewis considers the 2019/20 season his best and most enjoyable, this terrific player continues to excite and entertain in the Championship and no more so than in January 2023 when a dazzling Bedford side came to Paton Field. 

The Rugby Paper described the action:

“Playing pragmatic rugby Caldy had established a 21-14 lead at the break, but the Blues started the second half at full throttle. Quick fire tries from typical fizzing and inventive Blues’ play put the visitors seven points ahead. For ten minutes it was difficult to see how the Ravers’ power could deal with Bedford at their attacking best. 

Then Caldy did an unexpected switcheroo. The home side’s introduction of Lewis Barker completely changed the complexion of the contest. Power and pragmatism gave way to an exciting and adventurous 30 minutes of all action rugby, orchestrated by the live wire Lewis Barker. It was tremendous. The pace, accuracy and continuity of Caldy’s exciting back play, sparked into life by Barker, lit up the contest in one of the best games ever seen at Paton Field. Caldy ran out winners 36-28.”

Unlike Buddy Ebsen, being deep into aluminium hasn’t held 30-year-old Lewis back in his day job. Cornish Pirates’ Welsh scrum half Alex Schwarz was the initial link to secure Lewis a shop floor position at the North Wales based Wirral Fospray. Some seven years later his career has flourished, recently stepping up from Technical Sales Manager to the position of Operations Director.

 Wirral Fospray’s global customer base involves significant overseas travel. Lewis credits the company for enabling him to continue his rugby career alongside his demanding day job. “Wirral Fospray has provided me with a tremendous career opportunity outside of rugby, it is a very enjoyable work environment. I am indebted to them for being so supportive and flexible “

At only 30 years of age the multi-talented and engaging Lewis Barker has the world at his dancing feet.

Lewis Barker against Sale Sharks
Image – Kieran Free

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