BARRY Town United has thanked two of the club’s longest-serving players after they left the Jenner Park outfit last week.

Michael Hartley and Lee Baldock played an integral part in the Welsh League champions’ survival and resurgence, with the club saying it is “massively thankful for their contributions, on and off the field”.

“With almost 350 appearances between them, Harts and Bully are adored at Jenner Park - and will be missed by the supporters, players and staff alike,” said a statement.

Manager Gavin Chesterfield said: “I’d personally like to thank Harts and Bully for all they have done for myself and our football club.

“They have both shown us immense loyalty and have been instrumental to our success over the past four seasons.

 “Their legacy at the club is safe and I know how proud they are to have secured promotion for the club, back to the Welsh Premier League.

“Whilst I am sad to see them depart, I understand both of their needs to play regular football and I wish them both all the best at their new clubs.”

Arriving at Jenner Park in 2010, former Cardiff City youngster Hartley soon forged a reputation as an effective and dependable forward, willing to give his all for the cause.

Debuting as a substitute in a 2-0 win at Garden Village, Hartley went to make 22 starts that initial season, scoring six times, including one in an incredible 6-0 win over Bryntirion Athletic.

In 2011, Hartley cemented his place in Barry’s history by scoring twice in the 3-0 win at Merthyr, as the travelling Town knocked the Martyrs out of the Welsh Cup.

A semi-finalist the following season, Hartley’s love affair with the competition would continue in later years, as he netted in notable Welsh Cup ties with Cefn Druids, Denbigh Town and others.

 Hartley would also score Barry’s equaliser in a memorable match with Cardiff City, played at a unique point in the team’s histories, with one Premier League-bound, while the other was left without a league at all.

After weathering the Town’s off-field storms, Hartley enjoyed a stellar season in 2013-14, scoring 16 times in 28 appearances, including a spell of seven in eight and a goal of the season contender at his hometown club of Llantwit Major.

Unfortunately though, this prolific participation in that Division Three championship season would end in injury against Pontypridd Town in March, sidelining the striker for the entire 2014-15 programme.

Despite this setback, Hartley would return to the front line with the Welsh League Division Two winners, eventually taking his tally up to 37 goals in 184 appearances and starting January’s televised Nathaniel MG Cup Final against The New Saints.

Hartley’s last appearance in Barry colours came in this May’s 6-0 home win over Ton Pentre, on a day when the Town would finally lift the long-elusive Welsh League Division One title.

After spending time in the Barry youth system, former Colcot schoolboy Lee Baldock signed first team forms with his hometown club in March of 2011.

A senior team standout at nearby Sully Sports, Lee would be following in the footsteps of father Neil, who had also worn the Town colours in years gone by.

 An intelligent and versatile player, Lee featured primarily as a full-back for Barry, but would score some spectacular goals to boot, including crackers against UWIC and Carmarthen Town and another at Aberaman in the penultimate outing of 2011-12.

That same year, Baldock would score both goals in another win at Aberaman Park, as the Town outlined their claim to honours in the 2012-13 campaign.

In August 2012, he enjoyed a full 90 minutes against Cardiff City, watched by around 2,000 fans, the largest crowd to attend a Barry match at Jenner Park in over a decade.

There would be further success to come however, as Baldock would play an important part in Barry’s subsequent Welsh Cup run, joining Harts on the scoresheet in front of the Sgorio cameras as Pontardawe Town were beaten 2-1 at Jenner Park.

He would go the distance against Flint Town United in the quarter-finals and Prestatyn Town in the semis, as Barry came within a few goals of securing an unexpected place in Europe.

The following season saw him score another notable Welsh Cup goal, as the Town ousted Undy Athletic in an extra-time thriller. 

Despite being hampered by injury for a period, Baldock would achieve winners’ medals in Welsh League Division Three, Two and One.

In his final campaign at Jenner Park, Baldock was part of a magnificent 7-1 win over Haverfordwest County - one that sealed the club’s progression to the semi-finals of the Nathaniel MG Cup.

He scored nine times for the club, while helping to keep countless clean sheets, in his 156 appearances.