BARTON’S ROVERS IN SEVENTH HEAVEN
JOEY BARTON clutched a plastic cup of what he insisted was apple juice and reflected on the most extraordinary achievement of his managerial career. The Bristol Rovers boss had just delivered automatic promotion to League One with a seven-goal demolition of Scunthorpe. In crazy scenes, players piled into the dressing rooms and the champagne corks started to pop. Party time for Rovers and relief for Barton, who timed the team’s run from also-rans to top three to perfection. ‘I told the lads this isn’t normal.
This doesn’t happen every season,’ Barton said afterwards. A master of the under-statement. His team had just snatched third place from Northampton on goals scored. The Cobblers won 3-1 at Barrow and that was not enough. ‘There’s been some highs and lows and there’s been some tough moments but one thing that can’t ever be questioned is the character of our team,’ said Barton. ‘I didn’t expect us to win 7-0. I don’t think anybody did. But, again, were we going to do it any other way?’