We can confirm today that striker Brian Barton has retired from his playing career and will take up a coaching role with the Ramblers entering the 2022/23 season.

Barton made his name as a hard-working and wily forward with an excellent eye for goal. After beginning his career at the EFL’s Port Vale, he plied his trade around non-league clubs in the North West, including Hanley Town and Congleton Town before joining Sandbach United during the 2021/22 season.

Making his Ramblers debut against Wythenshawe Amateurs, Barton scored after only 39 minutes when he displayed his tenacity and attacking intelligence by capitalising on a goalkeeping mistake to score his first goal, in front of an applauding Sandbach crowd.

Despite the managerial changes and indifferent form through November and December, Barton notched his second goal on a memorable and history-making night in the Isle of Man. After winning the ball high up the pitch in trademark fashion, he chipped a shot over the goalkeeper before volleying the dropping ball into the net. He then won a penalty and truly marked his contribution to the only defeat FC Isle of Man took at home in their debut season.

Barton scored both goals in a 2-1 victory over Stafford Town before starting a wonderful scoring run for the Ramblers. He went on to score 9 goals in 9 games, including a dazzling hat-trick in a 6-0 thumping of Abbey Hulton. The striker, affectionately nicknamed ‘Bald Messi’ by some supporters due to his dribbling and scoring ability, finished the season as Sandbach’s top scorer among the current squad with 13 goals and 5 Man of the Match awards.

However, a ruptured ACL at Ellesmere Rangers left Brian with the only option to retire from playing due to the nature and severity of the injury. Brian will now work his way back to fitness, with the full support of everyone at Sandbach United, before entering a new role in football as a coach at the club.

Good luck Brian and we look forward to welcoming you back into the dressing room as a coach!