BART’ NEW BALL GAME
Scott’s super aim
SCOTT BARTLETT came so close to taking a side into the Football League within a few weeks of his first foray into management – but he knows it may be more of a waiting game in his second job after taking over at Weston-super-Mare.
Opportunity
The new Seagulls boss, who replaced Ryan Northmore at the Woodspring Stadium, said: “It was an eye-opening experience to say the least, but I loved every minute of it. I learned so much.
“It’s not your usual situation, that’s for sure. Mark was a massive help and it’s just a shame together than we couldn’t take the team up.
“I’ve got to say he and Dale Vince have been great. When this opportunity came up I asked them if they would back me to do both jobs. They told me to grab the chance with both hands. It’s a big thing for me – even if it means it’s wall-to-wall football from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep!”
The father-of-two knows how to get clubs out of the Conference South. Popular Bartlett, 37, won promotion as a player at Salisbury ten seasons ago and then again with Bath City in 2010.
“It’s a different ball game of course as a manager, but I’m up for the challenge,” added the ex-defender, who retired five years ago because of a knee injury.
“I know what it takes to get out of this league but although we’re ambitious there’s no instant pressure to get up. That’s not to say we can’t do it, but next
season is perhaps the more realistic aim.”
Bartlett was thrown into the deep end when Ady Pennock was controversially fired by Forest Green Rovers on the eve of the National League play-offs.
With May days away, chairman Dale Vince sacked Pennock ‘on a hunch’ and asked coach Bartlett to take the team at the most critical stage of the season.
He did an admirable job, seeing the side through two demanding semi-finals with Dover nearly six months ago, but Forest Green have a habit of never do things the easy way.
To much confusion, they confirmed Notts County boss Mark Cooper would be taking over next season before the promotion final with Grimsby.
Despite Vince’s denials, Cooper would be on the sidelines at Wembley and was seen on the TV taking the team talk.
Grimsby triumphed to reach League Two and Bartlett went back to running the club’s academy – but now he has been handed the chance in the National League South.