I would class the 2010-2011 campaign to have been a huge success and a major improvement on our debut season.
We had beaten our points tally from the 2009-2010 campaign by early February thanks to our 7 game unbeaten run (8 if you include our friendly win over Claregate Harriers) that spanned from mid January to the start of April. It’s a good stat to mention considering we where moved up a division! We recorded our first and second EVER league doubles over Brewood Stirrups and Tettenhall FC and more impressively, we took 4points off a Lanesfield 3 Crowns side that was pushing for promotion all season. Perton Wrottesley, Walsall Wharf and Churchill Rovers also felt the wrath of the Barley band wagon, along with All Saints who we hammered 6-0. Revenge was sweet that evening after they beat us 7-3 at the start of the season.
On the less positive side we did receive one or two spankings. Run away leaders Coach & Horses taught us a lesson, beating us 7-1 on home soil, and Penn Oxbarn beat us three times, the worst being the 7-0 hiding they dished out before Christmas on Bantock Park. Oakdale, who finished second, also did the treble over us. However, the most disappointing part of our season was losing Gary Titley and Adam Kennedy to retirement. Both were very good strikers on their day who enjoyed assisting in goals as much as scoring them.
There have been three major aspects to our team that have considerably improved since our debut season back in 2009. The first of those improvements is that we have built a much stronger squad. The big players from our 2009-2010 campaign stayed with the team. Players like Lee Clark, Mark Hennessey, Stephen Bradnick, Darren Wollaston, Chris Hales, Mark Hill and Richie Porter would walk into any other Sunday morning starting eleven. But to that core we managed to add new permanent faces like Liam Sewell, Jason Jackson, Steve Brookes, Matt Westbury, Nick O’Brien and Kirk Cadden who did not just make up the numbers, they added a bundle of quality in their own unique way. Donny Shinn joined mid way through the season and quickly made his mark on the team and not forgetting Stephen Hoult who was always willing to run himself into the ground for us even though he was a regular for his afternoon side.
Secondly, the team spirit running through the camp this season has been in a class of its own. Yes, we have had on field rows and said things in the heat of the moment but every row has been followed up with a hand shake and that’s how it should be. This is a vital ingredient that must be carried on next season and beyond.
Lastly, the introduction of Steve Smith to the team has been immense. Some of you might have been wary at first about how he would settle in and if players would listen to his views. But from his first game in charge, everyone has given him the respect he deserves and I think the result of that has been on show this season. Results and performances have massively improved since his arrival and I hope that he will carry on being my wing man for years to come.
All I hope for next season is that our squad stays together and that we carry on this impressive improvement. New faces will, more than likely, be brought into the team. Players like Shaun Porter will hopefully sign on the dotted line and will add not only defensive options but striking cover too. This should strengthen us even more. Team spirit was a big factor in our success this season, so with that in mind, any new faces will have to suit us and our ways, not the other way around.
Finally, myself and Steve Smith would like to say a big well done to everyone who has pulled on a Barley shirt this season. Let’s stick together, carry on moving forward and who knows what next season will bring.

See you all in pre season where it starts all over again.

Chris