Today marks the fourth anniversary of Patrick Cryne's passing - here, we remember the man who saved our beloved Club.
A Barnsley boy done good, a man who would go on to use his own, hard-earned wealth to rescue the football club he loved, allowing future generations to witness the same highs and lows that come with being a Reds supporter.
Patrick Cryne first visited Oakwell and fell in love with Barnsley FC in the 1950's, taken as a young lad by his Uncle Ernest, it was the emotional release that would capture his heart and mind right until his final days.
After a successful career in the software business, Patrick became - as he called it - the 'reluctant custodian' of the Reds back in 2003, and saw the Club promoted twice under his stewardship, in two separate play-off finals in both the Welsh and English capitals. He was at the helm as the Reds also lifted the Football League Trophy in 2016, as well as watching his second tier side brush aside the giants of Liverpool and Chelsea on the way to a Wembley FA Cup semi-final in 2008.
The Academy at Oakwell thrived under Patrick, with the successes of John Stones, Mason Holgate and James Bree helping to repay his financial backing, whilst his efforts to transform the Club into one that lives within its means instead of relying on a benefactor bore fruit in the latter stages of his tenure.
The great man would have been enormously proud of Stones in particular over the last few years as the Barnsley boy went on to reach his potential at the very top of the game, winning trophies at club level whilst starring for England at back-to-back major tournaments.
Patrick never had the chance to see his beloved Reds go a full league campaign unbeaten at Oakwell, back in 2018/19. That Great Escape at Brentford following promotion, last season's charge from the foot of the table to a play-off spot - he'd have loved every minute.
The Club lives on, as does the legacy of one of our own.
We are all thinking of you, Patrick. Our thoughts as a Club, on this day forever and always are with you, and of course with Jean and James.
Fittingly, Patrick always put it best...
"Most people realise I was a reluctant custodian but what has made it all bearable against the occasional cruelty of the 'internet world' is the kindness shown to me by so many fans on a personal basis.
"People are not shy in coming forward and telling me they appreciate my efforts, even if I have fallen short of their aspirations." PATRICK CRYNE
