Ched Evans fight got Barton the boot
JOEY BARTON was sacked by Fleetwood Town yesterday as a dressingroom altercation with Ched Evans contributed to the loss of his first managerial post. Sportsmail understands Evans and Barton got into a heated row after last month’s 1-0 win at Swindon Town. The striker has not played since his 16-minute substitute appearance in that game. Barton declared later that Evans had no future at Fleetwood and the 32-year-old was suspended by his manager. Before Barton was sacked, Championship side Preston North End were in talks to sign the former Wales international on loan. Evans’ future remains in doubt. Former Newcastle midfielder Barton, whose contract was due to expire next summer, held amicable talks with owner Andy Pilley and it was decided they would go their separate ways. Barton leaves Fleetwood 10th in League One, having reached last season’s play-offs. Despite financial losses over the course of the pandemic, a sizeable investment was made last summer with a number of notable outlays. Fleetwood signed Callum Camps from Rochdale, Jordan Rossiter from Rangers and Mark Duffy from Sheffield United. Liverpool recalled defender Morgan Boyes last week after the 19-year-old made just two league appearances. Pilley is close to Barton but recognised that a change had to be made after an accumulation of negative attention during his two-and-a-half-year reign. The club have made a documentary about Barton’s first two years in charge which is yet to air. The incident with Evans was more high-profile than other spats with first-team players, but not isolated. It is believed a bad atmosphere had festered among sections of the squad. Previous staff members have left the club abruptly over the years, with the competitive spirit among the management team not to everybody’s taste. Sportsmail revealed last week that Barton had failed to see the funny side of a skit produced by Evans at a weekly team meeting. Barton currently has a court case pending over an alleged assault on former Barnsley boss Daniel Stendel, which has been delayed by Covid. Academy manager Simon Wiles has been put in interim charge and he has admirers among the club’s hierarchy.