Golcar United were nothing if not persistent in trying to sign exciting forward Slater Barnes.
Barnes, who scored 28 goals last season for Huddersfield Amateurs, loved the club so much he was reluctant to leave, turning down Golcar every year for the last four years.
This summer, with Golcar having been promoted into the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, they popped the question again – and finally got their man!
Barnes, 26, said: “I’m delighted to sign for the club. Golcar have tried to get me for the past four years.
“Every time I said no because I was enjoying it at Huddersfield Amateurs but also I didn’t believe I could play at the level they were at.
“I just think this time I said to myself I have to go for it. For a club to come in four years on the bounce shows they must really believe in me as a player. I want to thank everyone at the club including managers Ash and Gav Connor who wanted me.
“I’ve only been in the place a week or two and it already feels like home. I want to be in an environment where there is a real togetherness and purpose and a club like Golcar definitely has that. Look at what they achieved last year.”
Barnes’ main position is on the wing but he can play as a central striker. He mixed the roles last term but prefers it out wide.
He said: “I can be versatile but I do like creating chances from out wide. I usually get a lot of assists but last season I just scored lots of goals which was great.
“I’m excited to link up with the different forward players at Golcar. Kayle Price scored loads last season as did Dan Naidole so it should make for some entertaining games.
“I work with Buddy Cox in Brighouse and we are really good friends. Buddy is a fantastic player and I’m really excited to play with him too.”
Slater will come up against his former teammates on Tuesday night in a pre-season friendly but his thoughts are now focused on the step up and proving himself at Golcar.
“I can’t wait to get going and to show the Golcar fans what I’m about. I’m a pacey winger who loves to get crosses in. I like to attack the ball and run at players. Hopefully I can grab a few goals this coming season.
“We can achieve whatever we want this season. It’s a new league for the club. It’d be fantastic to achieve promotion with Golcar again and that’s what I think we are all aiming for.
“With the quality of the squad we have I really think we can be a danger to opponents. As for my own targets I just want to do the best for the team, I’m a real team player. It’s not about me but how the team wins and loses together.”
