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The Matt Barnes Interview

The Matt Barnes Interview

STEPHEN HOWARD17 Dec 2020 - 20:43

The Heys boss is raring to go as he reflects on a “strange but enjoyable year” at the club

Manager Matt Barnes is raring to get back into action at Chadderton on Saturday as he marks what he describes as a “strange but enjoyable year” at the club.

Heys have not played a competitive fixture since 31st October, when beating Garstang 3-2 at Adie Moran Park, a result that put them sixth in the table just three points off the top spot, currently held by Lower Breck.

Since then we have had the lockdown and the tier three restrictions, which initially banned all spectators. However, with clubs now able to admit home fans to their grounds, the North West Counties League resumes on Saturday, with Heys making the short trip down the M60 to Chadderton.

Matt said “I can’t wait to get back to playing competitive games. It’s been such a strange season from when we were allowed back on August 1st and to now having played only four League games. We are all excited to get the campaign going again.”

“Throughout the lockdown, we have kept in touch with the players who all had their own individual training plans. The lads have had runs to do throughout the break and have had to send their results and times back to myself. We all knew how important it was to keep ticking over during the lockdown, so we were ready to go once we got the go ahead again.”

“We have also been able to get a few friendlies in over the past week, so we have done as much as we can to be prepared although nothing beats playing competitive games”.

The break has been frustrating for everyone and for Heys it came on the back of a good start to the season with three wins in the first four games.

Matt has been pleased with the start “We have started well and we just need to get straight back into it and keep up the good form. The friendlies gave everyone the opportunity to stake a claim for a place against Chadderton. It was also pleasing in our last outing at Cheadle Heath Nomads where we had three 16 year olds, from our Under 18’s, on the pitch which was a very proud moment for myself, the club and Nick Simister, the Under 18’s Manager, who is doing a fantastic job at present with the lads."

“It’s pleasing to have so many options going into what will prove a busy run of games from now into the New Year”

Last week marked a year since Matt took the managerial reins. It’s been a crazy twelve months that has seen only 21 competitive games played, with last season curtailed and the present starting late then being suspended. So, how has Matt found life at Heys?
“My year has been a very strange but enjoyable one. We have done absolutely fantastic in the competitive games, only losing six. Hopefully, things will settle down. I want to build on the foundations we have laid and maintain the winning mentality”

Lockdown has given everyone plenty of time to reflect on things but the Heys boss is happy with how things are going and has seen no reason to alter his initial vision and objectives
Matt said “The vision hasn’t changed at all from the day me, Cookie and Dicko took over. We have always had sights on promotion and hopefully we will achieve that this season.”

Reflecting on the past year, Matt singled out his high point as the win against Bury AFC which he felt was the perfect reward for all the hard work put in by him, his Management team and the players “My high points of the year are, without question, being proud of my squad and the togetherness I see between them. I see in training and on the pitch how they are obsessed to achieve success. The win away at Bury AFC, our new rivals, with a last minute winner from Jack Coop was reward for that. It was something that made me very proud of being able to manage at this fantastic club”

“The future is bright and I would like to say thanks to all involved at Heys, the supporters, players and volunteers for the support they have shown and given to me this year. I am excited for what we can achieve together!!!”

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