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Press article:

Barton is hoping to follow in Scott's steps - 05/11/2005

 
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   Newcastle United
   Hartlepool United

Warren Barton has set his sights on a career in football management and is using Hartlepool United manager Martin Scott as a role model.

Since 2004 the former Newcastle United full-back has spent his weekdays coaching Conference club Dagenham and Redbridge.

When the Daggers take on Scott's team at Victoria Park this afternoon Barton will be doing his weekend job for Sky TV but it is in coaching, rather than the media, that he sees his future.

"I've really enjoyed it," 36-year-old Barton says of his work at Dagenham, where he started his playing career. "I've been in the game 19 years and the media work I'm doing now has been great, but I'm looking to get into football coaching.

"I've got all the qualifications, now I just need experience."

Like Scott, who worked his way up from youth team coach, to reserve team manager, then assistant manager, before finally taking the top job at Hartlepool in May, Barton is keen to ensure he serves a proper apprenticeship.

"Martin's got a good name in the game and it's no surprise to people who know him that he's doing well there," Barton said of the former Sunderland defender.

"It's difficult to take a job on today. With the influence of foreign coaches, who usually bring their own people in, you have to try and learn your trade where you can.

"It has to be at the lower leagues really, so you can show what you can do."

Unlike most professionals, whose thoughts generally turn to coaching only when they realise their playing days are numbered, Barton has had his eye on it for years.

"I've been coaching since I was 20," he revealed.

"I was just coaching kids and I had a Soccer School in Newcastle.

"Even at 20 I knew I wanted to go into coaching and I used to go along and get good experience. People in Newcastle know I can do a good job as a coach."

At Dagenham and Redbridge, who are making their eighth appearance in the first round of the competition, Barton feels he has found an ideal place to further his education.

"Working with Dagenham and the first team there you learn so much," he said. "John Still was my manager 18 years ago and knows non-league and lower league football better than anyone else I know.

"A few years ago they had some good games against Ipswich and Charlton (they took the Addicks to a third-round replay in 2001) but they were at home. Now they've got to do it away.

"Hartlepool are a very good team but my advice to the players was to go out and enjoy the game. It's the FA Cup and anything can happen.

"Martin Scott will have done his homework and will know all about us. We've got a lot of pace and can cause a few problems."

The team sheet for today's game will be of great interest to fans of both Hartlepool and Sunderland. Pool are remaining tight-lipped over whether central defender Neill Collins has permission to appear in the FA Cup. The 22-year-old has been one of Pool's best performers this season but if he is prevented from cup-tying himself by playing it might suggest the Black Cats are considering recalling Collins when his loan spell ends at the end of the year.

The Journal


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