Barney FC manager John Close talks to Stuart Laundy about the side’s success so far this season under guidance from a ‘touchline triumvirate’…
Barnard Castle FC is a club ready to go places – both on and off the field.
The latest work on the Tensfield ground has made the club ready for the step up to the premier division of the Wearside League.
If the side replicates the form in the second half of the season it has shown prior to the Christmas break, that step up could come as early as next year.
The Tensfield transformation has continued this season with the addition of a perimeter railing and dug-outs and funding has also been secured to add an additional ten to 15 spaces to the ground’s car park.
Manager John Close explained: “If we go up next season, that will be to step seven of the football pyramid – the bottom rung of semi-professional football – so the latest ground work has been done in preparation for that next level. We now meet all the ground grading requirements.”
Mr Close took over following the departure of Tommy Lowther at the start of the season and forms part of a touchline triumvirate which also comprises Jimmy Raine, who previously tasted success with Barney’s old Sunday morning team, and experienced coach Stephen West.
“At the moment we are in a really strong position for promotion. If you look at our league position, we are in second place just one point behind Willington AFC who we beat 7-1 in our last game,” said Mr Close.
He said he was pleased with the way the team had developed during the past couple of seasons.
There is now a mix of local players, those who have been attracted to the club from outside the area and young players who have progressed through Barnard Castle Youth Football Club to senior level.
“We’ve got the likes of Ben Clark, who previously played at Shildon BR. He is from Stanhope and plays in centre of midfield or a number ten just behind the forwards. He is fulfilling early promise,” said Mr Close.
“Tai Saunders has just arrived from Spennymoor and he has scored five goals in three games.”
The likes of Jed Dominick, a Barney player who has returned to play for the town team, and Jake Mckellar, from Toft Hill, are others regularly seen in the starting line-up.
Alfie Matthews, Dan Hull and Ollies Ross and Wilkinson are examples of young players who have come through the youth football club, to which Barnard Castle FC is affiliated.
Mr Close said the club was also keen to see players fulfil their potential and play at the highest level possible.
He cited the example of Tommy Merryweather, who this year signed for Northern League outfit Esh Winning and has made himself an ever-present in the team.
“We have now become a club that attracts and welcomes players from other parts of the region in addition to those lads from Barney and that’s why I think we are competing at the top of the table,” added Mr Close.
There is no game for Barney this weekend, so the side will next be back in action on Saturday, Janaury 4, aiming to pick up exactly where they left off.
