The Reds visited the National Coal Mining Museum to learn more about our heritage as a mining town.
Playing and coaching staff were treated to a tour of the grounds, before being lowered down the 140m lift shaft, to experience conditions directly on the coalface, understanding the hardships and struggles miners suffered in cramped, dusty conditions.
Navigating tight walkways and low ceilings, it was an immersive experience for everyone involved.
Through the hardships faced came a sense of community, camaraderie and unity. The culture being formed at pits across the country was unique to mining, and plays a significant part in the history of our town.
Appreciating this undeterred spirit and 'graft' and to showcase what forms the heart of the town was the thinking behind the visit.
Head Coach, Michael Duff, emphasised this sentiment: "We came to get an understanding what the town is built on, essentially.
"The supporters that are watching us every week, the families, friends, what they have had to go through to be able to come to a game.
"It's just to give a bit of an eye-opener [to the players] that they do live privileged lives. If they are getting a little bit of stick it's because the supporters, whether it's recently or generations down the line, have had to fight pretty hard to get to where they are."
Jordan Williams was one of the Reds players to venture into the mine and learn more about the mining industry and what conditions were like for the workers.
Being a local lad, Williams is familiar with the spirit of Barnsley people, but felt he learned even more about the town where he has plyed his trade for four years.
"It was good for some of the lads who are not from around here to get a closer look at what the town has been through in the past. It makes us a bit more humble about what we do as a job compared to what has gone on in the past.
"It has been a bit of team bonding as well, get away from football and do something a bit different."
Guiding the team at every step of the way were ex-miners who now work at the museum, with the aim of educating the public and recalling tales from their time at the coalface.
Peter Bagshaw works for UK Coal as an IT/Systems engineer and saw the team at the museum. He did however have a bone to pick with one member of the Reds squad: "As a lifelong supporter it was great to see the team at Caphouse Colliery."
