Reds midfielder Stephen Dawson will go head-to-head with his brother Kevin next season, following Yeovil Town’s promotion to the Championship at the weekend.
Kevin, also a midfielder, featured for the Glovers at Wembley as his side overcame Brentford 2-1 in the League One Play-Off Final.
“It’s been the best few weeks of my life,” Dawson exclusively told barnsleyfc.co.uk, who became a proud father recently to daughter Alexis.
“Nobody had given them (Yeovil) a chance, a bit like us,” he continued. “I’m so proud that I’m going to play him next season. I said I’m going to go easy on him! Six months ago he was playing in the League of Ireland and now he’ll be in the Championship.
“It means the world to me, my little girl being born and to stay up the way we did – proving everyone wrong then going to Wembley with my family to see my little brother get promoted – absolutely magic.
“I’ve never played against him (brother) before. I was a nervous wreck for 95 minutes at Wembley watching him! He loves his football, he’s just like me and we know we’re very lucky in what we do. I’m looking forward to it.
“We used to play in the street growing up. He always used to join in as kids and he’d get kicked about a bit.”
The Irishman is already preparing for next season, and delighted to hear David Flitcroft, Micky Mellon and Martin Scott have become the club’s Management team.
“I’ve had my two weeks of rest but the next four or five weeks I’m determined to get fitter and stronger than ever,” he said. “I’ll have no excuses. I want to hit the ground running.
“I’m already looking forward to the new season. It’s not going to be an easy Championship, it’ll be another tough year but I’m sure the Manager will take care of things with signings.
“There’s an energy around the place, they (Flitcroft, Mellon, Scott) came in and did so well – I’ve nothing but respect for all three of them, they’ve done an unbelievable job. We were down and out in late December and the fans have been unbelievable all the way through to Huddersfield. There’s a good buzz and I’m just looking forward to getting back into it.”
