BARNSLEY FOOTBALL CLUB

Nobody expected the start to the season that we've had on the back of the remarkable success David had last year.

Coming in, I think Maurice (Watkins – Chairman) and I felt that, along with The Board and the owner, we would start off on a not dissimilar path to how we finished. That hasn’t happened. That’s through no lack of effort from David. David’s an incredibly passionate, energetic and committed individual who was incredibly desperate to succeed and continue to do well for Barnsley. 

We felt that it was a decision that had to be made, but it was an extremely difficult decision. I do wish him (David Flitcroft) all the success that’s possible at Bury.

Our plan was always to allow Micky (Mellon) to be his own man. The changes to the staff have created an opportunity for him to do that. And I’m absolutely delighted that Micky prepared the team sufficiently well enough with real expertise and experience to make sure we got a very, very good away win at Brighton.

We always wanted Micky to have the opportunity to be his own person. He’s earned the right to do that and that’s where we currently sit at the moment.

Last year there was a very public process that occurred around who was and wasn’t going to be the next Barnsley manager. That bred at times – picking up from David and Micky and Martin a bit of uncertainty around the place. We want to do our business in private, in football terms it is the best way to do it. We are getting on with what we feel is right for the Football Club. As and when there is clarity as to where we are going and what’s going to happen, we’ll let the fans know at the earliest opportunity.

The New Club Crest...

The biggest part for me of the whole process surrounding the crest was to get the fans involved. I’ve still not sat down and crunched the exact numbers. We’ve got a very close race between one of the new ones and potentially staying with the existing crest. The strategy for one or two marketing initiatives and one or two things off the field does get slightly delayed when you’ve got to make such an important decision.

We will be back to the supporters in the near future. At the moment we’ve got to support the boys on the field and Micky and the staff. Whilst it is absolutely business as usual and the Football Club is going forward on a  number of fronts, the club crest – that information will come slightly later than we thought on the backdrop of what’s happening on the field at present.

The message to the Barnsley fans is thank you for the support you have given this year.

It’s been a testing time. We aren’t where we thought we would be and that’s a huge disappointment.

Stick behind Micky and the side. The fans, to me, at Barnsley have been incredibly loyal and passionate. I’m sure this Saturday against Yeovil the supporters will be behind our team.