Sam Finley says it was a conversation with Joey Barton's late mentor, Steve Black, that enabled the midfielder to avoid a suspension for Bristol Rovers.
The 29-year-old was facing a two-match ban had he picked up his 10th yellow card of the season before the end of the Pirates' 1-0 win over Colchester United last week, and the all-action midfielder walked that tightrope impressively to ensure he was available for crucial games in Rovers' run-in.
Finley has revealed it was a 90-minute phone call with Black days before he died aged 64 in February. Rovers boss Barton had worked with Black – who enjoyed successful coaching careers in rugby and football – at Queens Park Rangers, and he enlisted the help of the Geordie in his managerial stints with Fleetwood Town and the Gas.
