Sheffield born striker and brother of Southend United defender Chris Barker.Richie began his career at Sheffield Wednesday in 1993, but only played for the Owls in the Intertoto Cup.He was sold in 1997 to Irish side Linfield after loan spells at Doncaster Rovers and Ards.After two years in Northern Ireland he returned to the mainland and joined Brighton & Hove Albion where in two seasons, he made 53 appearances and scored 12 goals.

A move to the Moss Rose came in 1999 on a free transfer where another 23 goals in 58 games for Macclesfield Town increased his pedigree.Eventually he was signed by Rotherham United in January 2001 and helped the Millers gain promotion to the Championship.Mostly used as a substitute by Rotherham, he was allowed to move to Mansfield Town on a free in November 2004.

Field Mill was to become his spiritual home and he soon became a firm crowd favourite with the Stags supporters scoring ten goals in his first season at the club.In the summer of 2005, he was named team captain and finished the 05/06 season as top scorer with a career best 23 goals.

A contract extension tied him to Mansfield Town until the end of the 08/09 season, however in January 2007 he joined Hartlepool United during the January transfer window before re-joining Rotherham United in October 2008 on emergency loan.He scored on his second debut for the millers after coming off the bench.A knee injury in January 2009 cut short his career and he linked up with the Shakers soon after as head of youth.

Richie was appointed Shakers caretaker manager on Thursday 01 April 2011 following Alan Knill's appointment as manager of Championship side Scunthorpe United.Richie took to management like a duck to water and amazingly won his first six games and sealed promotion to npower League One with a 3-2 win at eventual champions Chesterfield.Richie was also named npower Manager of the Month for April 2011 whilst still caretaker manager.

Named as the clubs 36th manager on 01 June 2011 after signing a 12 month rolling contract.