Pitchero Non League

...physiotherapist Sean Riley in the dugout beside him next season.

Accrington-based Hoskin – a 43-year-old ex-Bluebirds winger – returned to the club last month and joined forces with the manager on the touchline for the last four games of the season.

The former Burnley development and reserve team coach also took squad training sessions and led the Barrow players through their pre-match warm-ups.

Prior to that Bayliss – with the help of players Gavin Skelton and Robin Hulbert – had been fulfilling both the manager and coaching roles, following the departure of joint-boss Darren Sheridan in February.

Asked if Hoskin would be his number two next season, Bayliss said: “It’s pointing that way, though we haven’t got a bundle of money to spend on coaching and backroom staff.

“Ash has done really, really well and the players have loved the sessions he has put on”, he added, of Hoskin, who played sixty times on the wing for Barrow between 1995 and 1996.

“I want a coach, I don’t want another manager.

“It’s been difficult for me because when Shez left I had to take the training sessions and manage.

“What I want is a coach who will take sessions, so I can stand back, take notes on the players and watch them more closely.

“When you are actually taking the sessions yourself it is very hard to do the other things.

“Ash is a really good coach and an honest man. He’s also a bore, like me, when it comes to football. He knows his stuff and is willing to get his hands dirty.

“He’s also not afraid to go to games and watch players.

“I want someone like that, someone I can bounce off.”

Former Altrincham physio Riley joined Barrow last summer and has regularly been described by Bayliss as the club’s “best signing”.

The AFC boss said: “I would love to keep Sean but that is not down to me.

“He has been a really good addition to the club. The stuff he does behind the scenes is excellent. He never stops working and is keen as mustard.

“Hopefully Sean will want to stay, but that is down to him.”

Tags: News | Barrow

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