DANNY Barton has been named the best player in the history of Guilsfield Football Club.

The veteran forward won a County Times Sport poll conducted over the past week after being nominated by supporters and past team-mates.

Barton is a popular choice for the award having become part of the furniture at Clos Mytton during his long association with the village club.

Barton claimed 60 per cent of the vote which saw 277 people take part.

Gareth Jones, now player-coach at Caersws, was joined by current Guilsfield forward Adam Jenkins in second place with both receiving 15 per cent while Tim Nunerley polled in fourth with 10 per cent.

The 45 year old club stalwart continues to represent the club and is a regular for the Guils reserve side.

Barton began his career at Welshpool Town in 1997 before two years at TNS.

However it was in North Wales where Barton rose to acclaim, joining Rhyl in 1998 where he spent four successful years before switching to Caernarfon Town in 2001 where he scored 29 goals in 50 games over two seasons.

Barton returned to Mid Wales with Newtown in 2003 and enjoyed a four year spell at Latham Park, netting 47 goals in 97 games before bringing the curtain down on his top flight career at Aberystwyth Town in 2007.

Barton's record in the top flight ended with 127 goals in 244 appearances and a reputation for hard work which ensured his popularity among supporters at all the clubs he represented during a decade at the top.

However the combative veteran continued his career with a switch to second tier Guilsfield in 2011 where he has remained ever since.

Barton became player-manager at Clos Mytton in 2016 and helped improve the village club's position in the Huws Gray Alliance, the forerunner of the JD Cymru North, before stepping down in 2017.

Barton continues to play for his beloved Guils.