Wirral Sport Let’sPlayWirral July 2009
Issue One
Kop Swap For Liverpool Legends
New Brighton Saints Thrash Birkenhead Local Lad Heading For NBA
Coverlines can go here West Cheshire League Review + Lawn Bowls Championship 2009 + Heswall Lawn Tennis Update and Wirral Cricket Results
Plus:
Barnes and Macca Return to the Peninsula
Story By Jon Dutton
Rovers unveiled John Barnes as their new manager with Jason McAteer as his assistant last month as the replacement for Ronnie Moore and Peter Shirtliff. The two ex- Liverpool legends have been handed the jobs in the dugout at Prenton Park by new Chairman Peter Johnson follwoing the shock exit of Ronnie Moore. Both of the men live on the Wirral following their respective careers with Liverpool and Barnes has been looking for work since he stepped down as the Jamaica manager, after the Reggae Boyz failed to reach the Gold Cup Finals. Barnes said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for myself and Jason. I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead. I know it’s not going to be easy but I believe we can do something special here. I would have walked over hot coals to get here.” Barnes’ started his managment career in an extremely unsuccessful 7 month stint at Celtic where he was sacked after a shock exit from the Scottish Cup to minnows Inverness Caledonian Thistle. He was then hired by Jamaica on the 16th September 2008, but although they were unbeaten the failure
New managerial team, Barnes and McAteer pose for photo!
to reach the Gold Cup final did not impress the Jamaican FA and he stepped down to take the Tranmere job with Jason McAteer. Mcateer already has experience at Prenton Park as he was signed as Captain in 2004 and then later he was Player/coach until he left when Moore was appointed. The duo’s appointment has been met with mixed opinions by fans, including die hard fan Ron Gilbert from Birkenhead: “ I’ve been coming to see the Rovers for 50 years and I believe this to be the worst appointment yet”. Some fans believe that they are lacking in experience whereas some fans such as Luke Simon from Oxton believe that Barnes will attract big players; “He is a Liverpool legend and will bring in some top name players.” The ex-reds must now prepare for the new season and bring in the right players in time for their first competitve fixture away at Yeovil in August. Issue 1 Page 2
Glenavon JFC Needs You
Glenavon JFC based in Prenton need players for their Under 13’s, 14’s, 15’s and 16’s for the new season. Games are played on Sundays in The Wallasey League. Ring 09879707075 to find out how, where and when to join!! Issue 1 Page 3