The Pitching In Isthmian Football League

Chairman honours loyal defender

24 Oct 2015 By David Watters

As any Ryman League club chairman will know, dealing with your players can be tricky at times!

Not so for Heybridge Swifts chairman Craig Riches on Saturday who had the pleasure of presenting loyal left-back Danny Barber with a specially framed shirt to celebrate his 500th appearance in the Ryman North club's 2-1 FA Trophy win at Aylesbury United on Saturday 3 October 2015.

Riches, pictured with the memento before kick off against Cheshunt at Scraley Road, joined vice-chairman and Ryman League director Mick Gibson to congratulate the 35-year-old defender who made his debut back in April 1998 in a 3-2 victory at Boreham Wood.

Barber, who's also played for Dartford and Boreham Wood, has scored 17 goals in his Swifts career and Riches said: "His loyalty and devotion to Heybridge Swifts cannot be over stated and he follows a long line of Barber family involvement with his father Andy – a former player, committee member and club chairman. Danny – you have given so much to our club over many seasons and we extend congratulations on this achievement.”

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Nation's heart charity is new partner The Ryman League has unveiled the British Heart Foundation as its charity partner for the 2015-2016 season.

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