Boyce steps up as Gray's successor

Former assistant manager Boyce, pictured, was unveiled on Thursday after the departure of former St Albans City boss Gray following the club's third-placed finish to the 2016-17 EVO-STIK League Southern Division One Central campaign.

Boyce worked with Gray during a successful spell together at St Albans City and Barton Rovers chairman Darren Whiley has told supporters he was the obvious choice to keep the ball rolling at Sharpenhoe Road after their run to the promotion play-off final before losing out to Farnborough FC.

Whiley told lutontoday.co.uk: “With the early knowledge that Jimmy was leaving us we spoke to Mark and told him it was our intention to rebuild from within to keep the successful momentum going.

“We had one meeting and it was job done. ‘Boycee’ gets on with everyone and has a wealth of experience as not only a coach but as a player at this level, having had spells at Dunstable and Aylesbury.

"We had a host of decent applications for the post but going outside the club wasn’t our intention as we want to push on from the success of last season."

He added: “With every thing that’s new you get a buzz from it and ‘Boycee’ stepping up has created an air of excitement. Work has already started to strengthen the squad for another tilt at promotion.”

Image courtesy of bartonrovers.com

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