The History of Barton Town [continued]

On the pitch, that intent was certainly realised as the title of Supreme Division Champions 2005/06 was added to the club's list of honours. Along with the reserve side's promotion to the top flight of the Humber Premier League, it was certainly a season to remember for all involved with the club.

Off the field, ground grading requirements prohibited promotion to the Northern Counties East League, the club's immediate ambition. As a result of that undoubted setback the club embarked on an extensive redevelopment programme, bringing in Paul Friskney as Chief Executive Officer to oversee the project which involved, amongst other things, turning the playing area and floodlights through 90degrees, new access, car-parking, changing rooms, clubhouse and stands.

Supreme Division runners-up at the end of the 2006/07 season, the club was in the fortunate position of being considered once more for promotion to the Northern Counties East League and this time the facilities were not found wanting.

As a consequence, 2007/08 sees the club begin a new chapter in its history, a perfect end to all the hard work put in, on and off the field, over the last few years and a fitting tribute to Denis Cox, who has been involved with Barton Town F.C. for over half a century.

Ninth place in Division One was the outcome of the club's first foray in the NCEL, a comfortable finish, albeit a little disappointing bearing in mind the team had been promotion contenders until around about the turn of the year, before loss of form, injuries and suspensions took their toll. A great run in the League Cup, which saw a number of Premier Division sides beaten at Marsh Lane en route to the semi-final provided some consolation for missing out.

After five successful seasons at the helm, late July 2008 saw the shock resignation of Neil Buckley, due to increased work commitments. Despite that blow the club responded promptly, promoting coach Carl Stead to the hot-seat to work alongside existing assistant manager, Ian Durnian and newly-appointed player / coach, Craig Burdick to send out the message that it was very much "business as usual".

The story of the 2008/09 season was another one of steady, if unspectacular, improvement. A fifth place finish was the outcome, but, in a worrying case of history repeating itself, not before another dreadful dip in form in the new year, which saw the team slump from genuine promotion contenders to also-rans, some eleven points adrift of a guaranteed promotion slot.

The disappointment of missing out was compounded by the loss of a number of key senior players who had been instrumental, with others, in the club’s success over the previous four seasons. The lure of football at a higher level, something that the club had signally failed to provide, proved to be too strong.

With the team marooned in mid-table in late November 2009 and finding it increasingly difficult to balance family and work commitments with football, Carl Stead resigned. Ian Durnian assumed the mantle of caretaker until a new management team of Dave Anderson and Mally Parker was appointed in early January 2010.

And so the new year sees the start of a new chapter in the history of the club, but however that chapter unfolds, one thing remains clear. And that is for Barton Town Old Boys Football Club, the future remains very bright.