Spencer Barber, the newest addition to the team at MFK Tatran Liptovský Mikuláš, who plays as a forward. (source: MFK Tatran Liptovský Mikuláš/FB)
He was born in Toronto, but professional football has taken him to the USA, Gibraltar, Australia, New Zealand – and now Liptovský Mikuláš, in northern Slovakia. Canadian Spencer Barber, 24, is the newest member of the MFK Tatran Liptovský Mikuláš football team, which plays in Slovakia's 2nd League. The young striker was scouted by the club to strengthen its attacking ranks.
Barber's last club was Bay Olympic, which plays in New Zealand's Northern League. His flight from Auckland to Slovakia took the best part of a day.
"I had to quickly get used to the cold weather, as just a few days before my departure, I was still lying on the beach," the footballer recalled in an interview with the MY Liptov website.
Even though he comes from Canada, a country more famous for ice hockey, Barber opted for football. Barber says he used to play soccer growing up, and his father would take young Spencer to soccer games, and sometimes they would kick a ball together. "That's why I was always drawn to football. I have to admit I tried hockey as well, and played it for a while, but football won out," recalls the footballer.
His move to Slovakia sees him embarking on a new chapter in his career. Before coming to Liptovský Mikuláš, the Barber had a successful stint playing in countries with different football cultures. He explains that while his time in Gibraltar was enjoyable, he knew that greater opportunities awaited him in larger markets. Returning to Europe was a conscious decision to showcase his skills in a more competitive environment.
According to Barber, one differences between football here and in the other countries where he has played is the money that is invested not only in football, but in sport in general. This is especially true when compared to America, where there are university teams and programmes. Canada is still "evolving" in soccer, he says, but has made a lot of progress in the last five years. As a result, a lot of Canadian soccer players are getting offers from European teams.
Czechoslovak films – and soups –impressed this Canadian
He knew almost nothing about Slovak football before arriving, but of course he had heard about the country. "I have been watching the World Cup since I was a kid and I saw you play ... I like old films – where Slovakia is not mentioned, but Czechoslovakia – and that stuck in my mind," says the footballer.
In Slovakia, the Canadian is adjusting to a new footballing culture, one marked by tougher, more physical gameplay. He notes that the players here are strong and fight hard for every ball, a style of play that has impressed him.
Along with his change in location have come differences in cuisine. Barber was amazed that in Slovakia it is common to have soup for lunch as well as a main course. That is probably the biggest difference, he says, because in Australia he rarely ate soup. "So far, I like everything and my favourite soup is chicken broth," he adds.
He also shares his surprise at how quickly he adapted to the cold weather in Slovakia after years spent in warmer climates, especially Australia. Upon arriving, the temperature in Liptovský Mikuláš was -8°C, a stark contrast to the tropical weather he had recently enjoyed. Nevertheless, he quickly got used to the chilly conditions and is now focused on his goal of helping the team win the 2nd League title and secure promotion to the top tier.
The footballer also has high praise for his teammates and the club's leadership, particularly its sporting director, Lukáš Bielák. He says that from the moment he arrived, Bielák ensured that he was well taken care of, adding that the whole club is united in working towards promotion. Looking ahead, he is optimistic about staying at Liptovský Mikuláš if the team meets its goals, as they continue to push for greater success.
