Q and A With Prestwich Heys

Prestwich Heys is a semi-professional football club based in Greater Manchester.

They are currently members of the North West Counties League Division One North

We caught up with Matt Barnes, First Team Manager of the club.

Q) How long have you been involved with Preswich Heys

I have been with the club just over a year, but also played for the club in my playing days under manager Jay Dormer. 

Q) What’s been your highlight? Favourite game etc

My highlight at the minute has to be the stoppage time winner by Jack Coop against the Phoenix team Bury AFC, we are the only team to beat them in the league! 

It was a great atmosphere from the home fans too who gave a lot of banter throughout the game to our bench. The goal was a lovely way to silence them until we meet again! 

Q) How has the club dealt with the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic?

The club has dealt with the impact of the pandemic well really the volunteers have taken the time to clean up the club a bit and the players have done their best to stay together and fit however the impact on the supporters and players mentally has obviously been massive.

Q) How was the club doing before the league got suspended? 

We were doing very well in the league we only lost the one game away at Holker Old Boys early on although only 5 games played, we won 3 three of them with a nice opening 5-2 away vs Daisy Hill and the only home game we actually played at Adie Moran Park was a victory against garstang even though we were doing well the loss does annoy me a little.

Q) Are there ways in which people can help at the club?

We are a volunteer run club so we will always find a job for someone, I have such an admiration for volunteers as we wouldn’t run without them. The media, website, pitch and stadium maintenance and all the match day steward and bar staff etc are all volunteers so they do an amazing job!

Q) Aside from the first team, what other teams does the club operate?

We have an under 18s side who have already pushed through a few lads who have management to play in the 1st team and one lad Ollie Scott especially who has managed to establish himself in the squad at the age of 16, we are looking to expand the teams we have at the club but talks on hold due to the pandemic so we will see what the future holds!

Highlights from their game v Avro FC