GARDEN MESS IS DEAN’S TO FIX
DEAN BARKER has been charged with re-building an entirely new squad at Welwyn Garden City after the shock departure of former boss Adam Fisher led to a mass player exodus.
In a bizarre club statement released on Friday, the Citizens admitted they “forced” Fisher to resign after revealing their manager of six years has seriously overspent his allocated budget over the first half of the club’s inaugural season in Southern League.
As a result, the club’s first-team squad staged a mass walk-out leaving only a handful of youth players available to fulfil yesterday’s Division One Central fixture with Peterborough Sports.
Within hours, the Citizens were forced to call off the match and took immediate steps to rectify the situation by bringing in former Northwood and Cockfosters boss Barker until the end of the season.
Barker has a lot to do in a short space of time with the Citizens due to play Sutton Coldfield Town at home on Tuesday night.
And that means a busy day on the phone for the new boss as he attempts to find out what he has to work with.
“I don’t know what has happened previously and to be honest, that’s none of my business,” Barker told WHTSport. “From my point of view I’m here to do well.
“I’ve spoken to a few last night (Friday) but I’ll speak to them all today (Saturday). I know most of them to be honest and there are four or five who have played for me before.
“I’ll be asking for an honest answer about what they are going to do and what their plans are. Then I will know what I need for Tuesday night.
“I’ve got good contacts at National League level and in the professional game as well, so I’ll be ringing for one or two favours no doubt but it will depend on what the players say.
“We’ll definitely get a team together; we’ll definitely have 11 players so that won’t be a problem. Who stays and who goes? Only time will tell.
“We need a bit of patience obviously as there is a lot going on, but hopefully people will understand that and respect that.
“But given time we will be able to establish the club, calm things down and hopefully pick up some wins.”
Of yesterday’s postponement, a club statement read: “Welwyn GC FC very much regret this incident and have taken immediate steps to rectify the situation.
“We acknowledge this incident is a contravention of league rules and naturally, will fully accept whatever sanction the league metes out.”