BARNTON'S fairytale European adventure drew to a close on Friday.
They were beaten on Wednesday by the Republic of Ireland and then bowed out of the UEFA Regions Cup even though they beat San Marino in the final game.
But their international future is not yet over.
The humble village club who became the England team for six qualifying games in trips to Slovenia and then Bosnia have been asked to don the white shirts again in March.
They will represent England in the first tournament of its kind involving the five British Isles countries at the Isle of Man.
Coach Mark Warburton said: 'When we lost to Ireland, the players were devastated.
'They had put such an enormous effort into the game and we had never come up against a team as good as them.
'It has been a marvellous experience but everyone is exhausted mentally and physically - preparing and playing for three games in five days takes a lot out of you - and there has been a lot of emotion released in the last few days.
'But we have a lot to be proud of. We have played six international games at our level and lost just once.
'The mood was bleak but then came the invite to the tournament for home countries, and the FA reps said there would be no problem with us going.
'It was an unbelievable way to get over the disappointment. The club has that to look forward to and suddenly the play-ers were buzzing again.'
Match reports appear on page 71 and now Barnton start a quest for new national honours.
They won the Systems Cup last season to qualify for Europe in the first place and on Saturday they make their debut in a new national knockout for county cup winners, travelling to meet their counterparts in Northumberland.
On Wednesday they go to Winsford United in the Mid Cheshire Senior Cup.
