It's been roughly two months since my last article and it's fair to say that a lot has changed during that time, including the layout of 'Tarn Review' as we enter a 'New Era' for Barnsley FC.
Yes, me clicking a few buttons and altering how this page looks is nothing compared to the huge changes down at Oakwell since I last posted on the blog after that unforgettable day out in Huddersfield.
So in this piece, I'll be giving you my opinion on all of the changes and looking ahead to what we hope is also a change in our fortunes, so far as our prospects go in the league this coming season.
Not only did we get the news that we all wanted after that amazing journey of survival with David Flitcroft appointed as manager on a permanent rolling contract, but we have a new CEO in former sports agent and lawyer, Ben Mansford, who has replaced the retiring Don Rowing in the role of running the club on a day to day basis.
The 33 year old Hull born newcomer will be the youngest of his type in English football, and it's safe to say that his arrival has been welcomed by a fanbase who have been crying out for a fresh, forward thinking, ambitious leader. And thus far having listened to his early interviews he's come across very well and slight changes are already noticeable. Although to be honest, he's basically done the simple thing of finding out what we want, then acting upon it. Which the former regime were obviously devoid of figuring out.
Of course, he's a new toy and the initial excitement will soon be replaced and it's then that he'll face similar scrutiny to Don, who whilst making many mistakes did also fulfill the remit set out to him by owner Patrick Cryne and I am sure most reds fans would agree that the club is in a better financial state now than it was prior to his appointment.
So it's at this juncture that I'd like to wish Don all the best in his retirement and also welcome Ben to the club and wish him all the best in leading this club of ours into the future.
In addition to Ben, we also have our first Chairman of the club since Gordon Shepherd departed some years ago.
Former Manchester United director Maurice Watkins comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience, and whilst he's unlikely to be at the club day in, day out like Ben, the presence of such a respected figure as the head of our club so to speak, should only benefit us in moving forwards both on and off the field, as we've learned with the recent acquisition of a certain left winger...
Yes, the reds through Watkins' contacts managed to pull off something of a coup this month when capturing highly-rated winger Dale Jennings, 20, in a £250,000 move from European Champions FC Bayern on a 3 year deal.
Having crashed onto the scene as a teenager at Tranmere Rovers, lighting up the third tier with his dazzling runs and extraordinary goals the Liverpool born youngster was named Football League Apprentice for that year before the giants of German football came calling and took him to the Allianz Arena for a deal thought to be close to £2,000,000.
Injuries disrupted Dale's time in Germany and despite Bayern wanting to retain his services, it is felt that he missed England and with his partner about to give birth he has jumped at the opportunity to return home and it is with us that he sees his future. He apparently turned down other second tier offers, rumoured to be Huddersfield Town and Sheffield Wednesday. Well done, Dale. Good stuff already.
He's been playing - when fit - for Bayern's second string in the fourth tier of German football so no doubt he's making a serious step up but I've spent two years watching the likes of Scott Golbourne, Stephen Dawson and David Perkins make the transition look simple so I'm hopeful on young Dale.
Time shall tell..
The worst kept secret in football, that of Chris O'Grady joining us permanently was completed last week and I have to say it's the best signing we'll make this Summer.
The fact it's Wednesday that he's left just adds to the satisfaction of it for me, because despite their utterances of 'good riddance' etc, he was the best striker on their books and a proven goalscorer last season for two struggling Championship sides. 12 goals at this level, in teams at the wrong end of the table, and at a rumoured £300,000?
Bargain.
Welcome home, COGba.
Captain Luke Steele has finally signed his new deal, or should that be 'revised' deal?
This subject has been done to death recently and so I'm just going to thank both Luke and the club for coming to an agreement that sees him here for the next two years where any right minded tarn fan wants him.
Similarly, club legend Bobby Hassell has put pen to paper on a new deal after some negotiations, and it's fantastic to know that he'll get the testimonial season he has earned after ten years of exemplary service to this club.
Ok, even he acknowledges that he doesn't 'expect' to play very often this season, but Bobby has heard that many a time throughout the decade he's been here and ALWAYS proves to be a key player in every season he appears. Hence the fact he's a club legend who will forever be mentioned in the same discussions as Redfearn, McCarthy, Glavin, Hignett, Murphy, Taylor, Taggart and Tufnell.
Kelvin Etuhu has verbally agreed to sign a new two year deal and he's gone to Spain with the squad this morning so I expect that's a done deal.
Tom Kennedy has also put pen to paper on a two year extension, as has Martin Cranie despite fears that the former Southampton trainee was likely to depart.
Polish winger Tomasz Cywka has signed up for another 12 months, too, and the reds have given Dennis Knight a similar deal, after he impressed in the development squad after arriving from Newcastle United last season.
So far as outgoings, we've shed Marlon Harewood, Rob Edwards, Stephen Foster, Matty Done and Lukas Lidakavicius.
Foz will be a massive loss to the club in terms of experience and the relationship built up with the supporters, but he's got fixed up at Tranmere and we wish him all the best. A modern day BFC legend, no doubt about it.
Good luck to the others, too, in particular Marlon whose efforts last season aren't done justice by his scoring record. He was pivotal in our initial turnaround under Flicker.
The squad travelled out to Spain this morning where they'll spend seven days together in preparation for what we hope to be another exciting season, but this time at the other end of the table. We're due a top ten tilt, aren't we?
The first game of the season August 3rd, will be at Oakwell as we welcome newly relegated Wigan Athletic, the current FA Cup holders.
Nice easy start for us...
We're also at home in the first round of the League Cup as we entertain Scunthorpe United on the Tuesday and the club have reduced normal ticketing prices for this one. See the official website (there's a link on my recommended sites section, left of the page) for more details.
And remember, it's only £23 at Oakwell this term for adults so if you can't fork out for one of the cheapest season tickets in the division (start at £330) then I would hope you could be tempted down Grove Street early doors to see what this team is now all about. We need all the support we can get. We do things the right way. We have no Russian oligarch. No Asian consortium here offering to change our club crest/colours/soul. So yes, if you can, please come support YOUR team, YOUR town, YOUR club.
Thanks for reading.
Up The Tarn!
