Bayes storms out after heated row (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Bayes storms out after heated row

4:34pm Thursday 16th March 2006 in Football By Gordon Simpson

DEVIZES Town defender Jamie Bayes has stormed out of the club after a bust-up with manager Nathan Sheridan.

Following heated discussions in the changing room after the 4-1 defeat at Keynsham last Saturday, Bayes, 22, decided to quit Nursteed Road.

Boss Sheridan, without a fixture on Saturday, said he tried to persuade him to stay throughout last week but has not been able to contact him for peace talks.

"I've tried to contact Jamie several times by phoning and texting him, but I think he's made his mind up that he's not going to play again until the end of the season," he said.

"He made it clear to me he hadn't been enjoying it, he didn't think he was doing himself justice in games and, because he hadn't been enjoying it, it was affecting his whole week.

"I tried to have a chat to him and I said we needed all hands on deck and if he could just hang in there until the end of the season it would be much appreciated.

"But he made his mind up after the Keynsham game that he wasn't going to bother no matter what I said."

Sheridan said the board had been concerned about what had happened following the humiliating defeat.

"I sat down with the committee, who were a little bit concerned when they heard about this and I tried to reiterate what was said in the changing rooms after and what was done," he said. "Last week was a very difficult week with the defeat at Keynsham and with Jamie deciding he didn't want to have any part at the club for the rest of the season."

Sheridan added the club needed to move on now and would readdress the situation at the end of the season.

"We've got to shut the door on him now," he explained.

"If he decides in the summer he wants to try again next year then he will be more than welcome.

"It's just unfortunate this season has proved very difficult and some of the younger guys have found it a little bit difficult to deal with the pressure. I'm not criticising him, because the games he played in he was very good and he proved to be a valuable player.

"But the game he didn't perform well in was the one everyone didn't and that was the Keynsham game. I think it hit him quite hard."

Despite the loss of Bayes, Sheridan has been boosted by news that striker Nick Mooney, 31, is set to return to the club this week after a six month spell at Melksham.

Sheridan also confirmed fellow forward Jamie Mullings, 20, was set to turn down a move to Corsham to help Devizes' battle for survival.

The Devizes boss said Mullings had also worked out an arrangement with his bosses at work that would see him able to play three out of every four weekends.

It had been feared last week that the striker would rarely be available after being handed a promotion that meant extra weekend work.

"Jamie's situation has changed for the better and given us a boost, so it's like having a new signing in the squad," he said.