Josh Barrett: “I’d love to finish my career at Scarborough Athletic”

Scarborough Athletic’s versatile defender Josh Barrett is keen to end his career in that bracket.

Barrett, now 28-years-old, played for Tadcaster Albion for over six years before making the switch to the Flamingo Land Stadium ahead of the 2019/20 campaign - Boro then under the brief management of John Deacey.

Now the right-sided defender wants to stay with Boro after admitting he’s loving life with the club.

When asked whether he’d like to finish his career with Boro, Barrett responded: “100% yes, I’m loving my time with the club so far.

“Ever since John (Deacey) phoned me and I came into the club, I’ve enjoyed my football so much.

“Playing in front of over 1,000 fans at home games is fantastic, something I really enjoy.

“I like to think I’m a loyal player, I’ve only played for Taddy and now Scarborough Athletic, and I’d love to go on and finish my career here - if I’m wanted.

“I’m only 28-years-old so I like to think I still have a while left in me, which I’d love to be here.

“It’s a great club to be a part of, we have a fantastic dressing room, a great manager who believes in me and one of the best fan bases in non league, so there’s no reason for me to want to leave.”

Barrett has operated in several positions in his time at Boro, while he also initially signed for Tadcaster as a striker, but he’s keen to nail down a spot on the right of Darren Kelly’s defence, whether that be at right-back in a four-man defence or right wing-back in a 3-5-2 formation.

“I feel that is my best position, on the right of the defence,” added Barrett.

“John signed me as a centre-back but he had mentioned to me at the time that he thought I could end up at right-back.

“When Darren took over he immediately said he thought my best position was on the right, and that he thought I could be one of the best players in the league in that position - which of course was nice to hear.

“I definitely think that is my best position, I like to get forward and think I’m quick and strong enough to be effective there.

“Yes, it’s good to be able to fill in at centre-back, or even further forward like I did at Stalybridge - and I managed to score two goals that night, but I definitely feel more comfortable at right-back.”

Barrett believes the 2020/21 Northern Premier League season will be declared null and void, and while he’s been left frustrated by the stop-start nature of the campaign so far, he thinks that is the most plausible outcome.

“Sadly I think that is how it will end, it’s going to be very difficult to finish all those fixtures once we’re out of lockdown,” he added.

“There’ll be a lot of disappointed clubs out there if that happens, but there’s always going to be someone worst hit than others by any outcome to the season.”

Boro boss Kelly admitted in The Scarborough News last week that he’d be open to allowing his players to leave on loan in a bid to get more playing time.

“Darren rang me about the possibility of going out on loan,” added Barrett.

“While I said I’d be open to it, I have a young family and it has been nice to be at home and be able to spend some quality time with them.”

Boro chairman Bull on funding boost / https://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/sport/football/scarborough-athletic-chairman-bull-welcomes-non-league-funding-boost-announced-dcms-3114593