Addison sacked over contract row (From Barry And District News)

Addison sacked over contract row

Barry Town have sacked manager Colin Addison after only six months in charge at Jenner Park, and only a fortnight before a crucial league campaign. The club said it was "unable to accede to Mr Addison's demands for a long term contract".

The popular and greatly experienced manager was told in a telephone call from the Barry chairman, Stuart Lovering on July 31 that his month by month rolling contract had come to an end.

This has greatly angered Addison who was adamant, in a hastily arranged meeting with loyal fans last Thursday, that although unhappy with the situation of being employed by Barry Town month by month, he was prepared to stay at Jenner Park. He also confirmed he was not, at that time intending to go elsewhere - despite offers from other clubs. However, it is the club's opinion that Mr Addison only agreed to continue his monthly contract after he had been sacked.

A further meeting between Lovering and Addison took place on the following Monday, but this ended somewhat acrimoniously and Addison's tenure as Dragons' boss was confirmed as having come to an end.

This will no doubt disappoint fans of Barry Town who had been impressed with the strides the team had taken in restoring some pride in the famous yellow and blue shirts towards the end of last season.

Back in charge again is Dave Hughes, who had been working as Colin Addison's assistant, but was the man who had initially taken over the mantle of Barry Town boss following the club's mighty fall from grace late last summer.

Goalkeeper Marty Ellacott is confident between the posts, while goals have been going in from Gareth Picknall, Nana Baah, and Morgan Harris over the past few weeks.

The opening match of the new season, in which Barry will lock horns with Grange Quins at Leckwith Stadium this Saturday, will show if any real improvement has been made since last season.

Hughes has already had two games in charge - a 7-2 mauling of Treforest and a highly creditable 1-1 draw last Saturday against Welsh Premier League side, Afan Lido.

Barry's first home match will be next Tuesday evening (August 17) when in a highly anticipated clash, the Dragons take on near rivals Dinas Powys. Keep up to date with all the latest happenings at Barry Town AFC by logging on to www.forzabarry.co.uk