Walton to wait after stirring Fields again
His record is the envy of fellow captains in the Furrows Shropshire Premier League. His record is the envy of fellow captains in the Furrows Shropshire Premier League. But Keith Walton will take a period of reflection before deciding whether to lead Castlefields' bid for a championship hat-trick in 2010. Two Premier titles from his two years in charge, Walton has proved the man with the midas touch and is certainly responsible for re-establishing Castlefields as the leading lights in the Shropshire game. But with off-green ructions dogging the club since August, he admitted it has been a testing period. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
But Keith Walton will take a period of reflection before deciding whether to lead Castlefields' bid for a championship hat-trick in 2010.
Two Premier titles from his two years in charge, Walton has proved the man with the midas touch and is certainly responsible for re-establishing Castlefields as the leading lights in the Shropshire game.
But with off-green ructions dogging the club since August, he admitted it has been a testing period.
"It has been a tough season," said Walton.
"A lot of issues need to be sorted out so hopefully as many of the Premier players as possible will attend the club's AGM in January.
"It's only September now so I won't be making any decisions over the captaincy next year yet."
Walton, however, has already pulled off one significant coup by reaching an agreement for Staffordshire ace Craig Barker, such an influential figure in this season's success, to return in 2010.
"Hopefully that will make sure we are at least just as strong for next season," added the skipper.
For now, though, Walton is basking in the championship glow after gaining the three points they required to lift the title in Friday's 7-7 result at Bylet, themselves relieved to be preparing for another season amongst the elite 14.
"It's always nice to win a Premier title but it is definitely harder to retain it," added Walton.
"We showed consistency all season but the game that stands out for me was the away game at Archibald Worthington (on May 29).
"We were 6-2 down that night and went on to win the last four games and win 8-6.
"For me that was the moment that we got the belief and confidence to go on and win it again."
Bylet's five winners and aggregate points meant Childs Ercall agonisingly finished bottom by a point - and now face the play-off on Friday, October 2.
They survived one in 2002, when they beat Bowring at Meole, but skipper John Breeze will have to do without Woodfield's Steve Dicken as he is one short of the six league games played to be eligible.
Best win on Friday was by St Georges who, without Ian Gaut, Glyn Picknell and Chris Ball, won 10-4 at Meole Brace with Steve Pessall one of their winners.
But Chester Road finished runners-up by two points.
By JAMES GARRISON
