MICKY Mellon is delighted to have added a midfielder he rates as "probably one of the best in the whole of non-League" for Fleetwood Town's title push.
Anthony Barry has completed his move to Town just ten days after signing for Blue Square Premier club Wrexham.
The 23-year-old will be in the squad for Saturday's home clash with promotion rivals Hinckley and Mellon said: "Anthony Barry is a player we've tracked for some time and plenty of hard work has been put in by me and the chairman.
"This is a very exciting signing for Fleetwood Town. To have a player of his calibre makes the squad even stronger.
"He has watched us on a number of occasions and knows what the club is all about."
Barry has also played again Town only last month, when he was in the Chester team beaten 1-0 in the FA Trophy at the Deva.
He left troubled Chester for contractual reasons a fortnight ago and signed for their Blue Square Premier rivals at the Racecourse.
Wrexham revealed on Saturday that Barry had been released after receiving "a substantial offer" from another club.
Fleetwood had to wait until yesterday to confirm the signing, after receiving clearance from the Welsh FA, and his deal runs until the end of the 2011-12 season.
Mellon added: "Although he's in his early 20s, Anthony has plenty of experience. He played at Wembley for Yeovil (against Blackpool in the 2007 League One play-off final) and has gone through the leagues with Accrington Stanley.
"He has more Football League experience with Chester, and that shows someone with the hunger and ability to the return to that level."
The manager also believes that another player with a full-time football background will ease the transition for Town, who plan to go full-time themselves this summer.
Mellon added: "Daytime training is available for our players now with the youth squad, and the likes of Gareth Seddon take advantage of that.
"It's not mandatory but we may suggest it would be good to see one or two first- team players come in more often."
*Places are available on Town's half-term football course for children aged 6-13, run by FA-qualified coaches at Memorial Park from February 15-19. Call 07833 456114 or 07970 557697 to book (£10 per day, £40 for all five).
