Fans helped sway keeper Barnes

The 34-year old stopper is in his second spell at the club, having initially joined the Blues in 2009 under Steve Charles.

“When you’ve played at full-time clubs, you come to a part-time club and are immediately struck by how everyone pitches in,” said Barnes.

“Everyone involved here absolutely loves the club – you get to know the fans and it makes a big difference when you have a decision to make about coming back.”

The former Alfreton Town keeper believes the club can be successful this season despite budget cuts.

Barnes said, “A lot of people have spoken about the cuts in the wage budget, but that was never an issue for me, I just wanted to come back to the club and play for Steve Housham again.”

“We’d spoken during last season, but I was happy at Alfreton.”

“But once the end of the season came and Steve spoke to me about coming back I jumped at the chance.”

“I know what a good club this is, and I knew that a few of the players were coming back from my previous spell.”

“You only have to look at the players that have decided to join the club to see how big a draw playing for him and Gainsborough Trinity is.”

When pressed about the club’s chances in the upcoming season, a pensive Barnes stated his belief that the Blues may cause a few surprises.

“I think a lot of teams will be looking at us and thinking “Peter Swan’s gone, the money has gone, they’re going to struggle” but I don’t think that’s going to be the case.”

“We’re quietly confident that we’re going to prove a lot of people wrong. We’ve kept a lot of good players from last year and I’m sure Steve will bring in some more quality.”

“He (Housham) is Gainsborough born and bred, and he desperately wants the club to do well. He’ll fight tooth and nail for the club.”