Barton praises player loyalty

19/08/2010 @ 05:08

In one of the most frantic summer ‘silly’ seasons in recent Mid Wales football history, Guilsfield manager Mike Barton has praised six of his squad who have turned down treble-their-money deals to remain with the club.

Barton assembled an impressive unit last season, capturing some of the area’s best local talent to forge a young side that shocked the Huws Gray Alliance by finishing sixth. But it did not go unnoticed with clubs on bigger budgets pouncing in the off season.

“I have to give five or six of my lads credit for staying,” he said. “Players were offered three times the money they would get at Guilsfield but have shown great loyalty by staying.”

“They have seen that Guilsfield is a great club always moving forward. Facilities are improving year on year and that is what we try to do on the pitch as well. Floodlights will be next, then maybe more seating and then who knows where we will be in five or six years time?”

“We have a squad of good honest lads. We can’t match the money that some clubs offer but what we can provide is a good standard of football and a great social atmosphere after which means a lot to these lads who have become good friends.”

And Barton believes that team spirit will shine through once again for the long season ahead with a top eight well within reach. They started with a hard-earned 1-1 draw at Rhydymwyn.

“We know the league well now. Last season we spent a long time near the bottom but I always felt it was a false position because we had played most of the top sides before Christmas and had games in hand. There were a lot of new players so once they clicked we were a tough side to beat. This year we are a year older and a year wiser so we will be better prepared from the early games.”

This weekend, Barton's losing several players to the V Festival as they travel to Rhos Aelwyd.