DANNY Barker has been persuaded to stay another season with Sydenhams Premier outfit Whitchurch United.

The 38-year-old Chandler’s Ford-based former Portsmouth, Basingstoke Town and AFC Totton defender/midfielder had been looking to drop into the Hampshire Premier League.

But after featuring in the Jam Boys’ last three friendlies, he is ready to lend his experience to another Wessex League campaign.

Whitchurch boss Carl Bennett, who previously worked with Barker at Romsey Town, sees age as no barrier for his good friend.

He said: “Danny still gets around the park and all the lads love him. I think he’s got a vital role to play for us in central midfield. He just reads the game so well and he chats well too and talks the youngsters through the game.

“Danny’s 38, but he’s as fit as a fiddle. In fact he’s probably one of the fittest players we’ve got.

“If he’s going to play, he may as well do it at the highest level he can.”

The Jam Boys – who finished an excellent sixth last season – kick off the new campaign at home to Lymington Town on Saturday before becoming the first side to visit phoenix club Salisbury for a Wessex match at the Ray Mac Stadium next Tuesday.

When the fixtures came out Bitterne Park-based Bennett felt playing Salisbury early might be an advantage while Steve Claridge’s newly-assembled side were still gelling.

But he said: “They look like they’re clicking pretty quickly!

“First we’ve got to get past Lymington which is going to be tough. In fact I think the league will be strong all round this year.”

New in at Whitchurch are widemen David Parry, formerly of Newbury Town, and the pacy Sean Ayeomoni from Thamesmead Town.