Broughtonlocal

Skipper Jones could go out on loan

Published at 13:08, Monday, 08 November 2010

BARROW AFC joint-managers Dave Bayliss and Darren Sheridan have explained their reasons for making long-standing club captain Paul Jones available for loan.

LOAN MOVE? Paul Jones warming up at Holker Street on Saturday REF: 0563283

The 32-year-old centre-half and Bluebirds legend, who lifted the FA Trophy at Wembley six months ago, was left out of the starting XI on Saturday when Barrow ended their nine-game winless run with a 2-1 home victory over Newport County.

Midfielders Mark Boyd and Ciaran Donnelly have also been told they can go out on loan to other clubs ahead of what could be a busy week of activity at Holker Street.

Speaking after the weekend win, Bayliss said: “We’ve been up front and honest with Jonah. We told him he wasn’t going to play today. We’re looking to bring in another centre-half too.

“We’ve given Jonah, Boydy and Ciaran the option to go out and play some football.

“The reaction from them was ‘I want to stay and fight for my place,’ which is what we want to hear. But we also have to do our job as well. If we see someone has been playing poorly we have to make a decision, whether some people like it or not.

“Jonah is our captain, and when he plays he will still be our captain.

“We’re treating him with respect because he deserves that for what he’s done for the club. Boydy, too, has been a great servant, we wouldn’t be in this league without him.”

In the absence of Jones, Barrow were skippered by fellow centre-half Phil Bolland, who turned in a man-of-the-match display alongside Mike Pearson at the heart of AFC’s defence.

Sheridan said: “The lads have been all right about it. It’s not like we’re saying ‘right, that’s you finished with, you’re going out on loan’. We’re giving them a chance to go out and get games because we can’t promise them first-team football at the minute.”

Sheridan indicated there had already been interest in the trio of AFC players from other clubs.

Meanwhile, the Bluebirds gave a debut to goalkeeper Clark Masters on Saturday. The 23-year-old, who is currently on trial at Millwall, has joined on non-contract terms.

Bayliss said: “He’d never met the lads until 1pm today, but as a Cockney he was a very confident lad. He came in and did a terrific job. It was a gamble that paid off.”

Sheridan added: “He handled and kicked the ball well today and showed he is a good keeper. No disrespect to Shaun, he’s still a young lad learning trade, and we thought we’d get an experienced lad in today.”

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