Barton: Clubs didn’t come calling

Huws Gray Alliance manager-of-the-year Mike Barton (pictured) has revealed that his phone remained silent during the management merry-go-round this summer.

The Guilsfield boss firmly re-established his reputation following a shaky spell in charge of Caersws by guiding the village club to sixth with a tremendous late charge. And despite a host of enticing managerial positions becoming vacant this summer, he claims he was not approached once.

“Maybe they have lost my mobile number since the Caersws job didn’t go so well for me?” he joked. “Seriously though, there was a lot of talk but I was not approached by anyone and have remained focused on the job at hand in Guilsfield.”

That job consists of trying to build on Guilsfield’s fine season and he has strengthened his squad for what promises to be one of the toughest seasons in Alliance history.

“There are some great clubs in the league this season. Some very big clubs that want to get into the Super 12,” he said. “But they won’t enjoy coming to Guilsfield and I believe that if we don’t finish in the top eight then I would be very disappointed.”

Like many football pundits, Barton has pointed out Rhyl as the stand-apart club this season but says any one of six or seven clubs could be vying for the runners-up spot.