Yorkshire born, 400 appearances and a Player of the Year award, what do you know about Andy Holdsworth?
Youth Development Phase coach Andy Holdsworth will accompany Paul Harsley in the dugout this weekend as the Reds take on local rivals Sheffield Wednesday. The well-known academy coach will temporarily relinquish his role as the lead U16s coach at Oakwell and step-up to help out the first team for as long as required.
The 34-year-old has been at Oakwell in a coaching capacity since early 2015, working with the youngsters who are looking to step up the ladder at Barnsley Football Club.
After beginning his career in the academy at Huddersfield Town, Holdsworth quickly progressed through the system and made his professional debut aged 19. As soon as he got into the team, the right-back established himself and made 39 appearances throughout the rest of the campaign, becoming a firm favourite with the fans along the way.
During a six year stay at the John Smith’s Stadium, Holdsworth made around 250 appearances before moving on to Oldham Athletic. Spells with Morecambe and Alfreton followed before he was then able to find a new home back in Yorkshire, with Guiseley AFC. Over 150 appearances were added to the defender turned midfielders tally at Nethermoor Park, where he was to be named captain and played a pivotal role in leading The Lions to promotion to the National League, where they still compete to this day.
Holdsworth joins Matt Murray in accompanying Paul Harsley on the bench this weekend against The Owls.
