By Mark Heys
October 14 2007

Bolton Wanderers longest serving backroom member could be about to leave the club after twelve years with highly respected goalkeeping coach Fred Barber set to swap the Reebok Stadium to be reunited with his former manager Sam Allardyce at Newcastle United.

The 44-year old Barber first came to Bolton ahead of the 1996-1997 season as then manager Colin Todd wanted a coach to work with the likes of Keith Branagan, Gavin Ward and Aidan Davison.

Barber had just retired from playing at the time following a shoulder injury and the initial part time role helped him get a place on the coaching ladder where he has remained ever since.

Highly respected and described as one of the best in the business, Barber has helped the career of current Wanderers keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen immensly making the Finnish international one of the most sought after players in the top flight.

Once Bolton moved to the Reebok Stadium in 1997, Barber was spending more time at the club and when Sam Allardyce came to the Trotters as manager his full time role at the club was confirmed.

Allardyce is now close to tempting Barber back to his native North East as current Magpies goalkeeper coach Terry Gennoe is on the verge of retirement due to a back injury.

Barber was expected to end his long association at Bolton at the end of the season but reported unrest within the camp could hasten the departure of one of the games most colourful characters.

During the summer Bolton appointed former Rochdale, Bury and Stockport County custodian Neil Edwards as Barber's assistant and he could make the step up to senior goalkeeper coach if the move to Newcastle is completed.