News From T'well

Last updated : 19 June 2006 By Rob Miles (barnsley Boy)




Of the seven out-of-contract Play-Off heroes to be offered new deals, skipper Paul Reid is still the only one to put pen to paper.

It is believed though that Antony Kay, Bobby Hassell and Nick Colgan are all due to come into Oakwell this week to discuss terms and hopefully sign on the dotted line.

Stephen McPhail of course has already declined his contract offer and joined Championship rivals Cardiff City whilst there has been no feedback from Chris Shuker and Neil Austin.

Crewe boss Dario Gradi has said he would allow defender Stephen Foster to join Barnsley with his best wishes and admitted the lure of Championship football might be too much to turn down.

Long-serving manager Gradi who has now been in charge of Crewe for 23 years told the Official Crewe website http://www.crewealex.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Home/0,,10414,00.html

"Foz has not been in training this week so I haven't spoken to him but the Barnsley interest would certainly be appealing after they were promoted to the Championship. They will be playing in the Championship and that could be the deciding factor in his decision. He has played most of his football at that level and we know what a good player he is.

"They would be able to offer him a better deal and Championship football and I think he is looking for a new challenge. I think it could really push him on a bit as a player and he would go with our best wishes."

The Reds have also bee linked with yet another defender has been linked with The Reds. Some guy called Chris Morgan who skippered Sheffield United to the Premiership.

That's right THE Chris Morgan has been reported in the Sunday People to have had his future at Brammall Lane monitored by his former employers.

The Barnsley born star previously stated he was relishing leading the Blades back in the big time but the signings of fellow defenders David Sommeil and Claude Davis has put Morgan's future in doubt.

Morgan was at the Millennium Stadium last month to see Barnsley clinch promotion.

Finally Barnsley are set for a trip to the Isle of Man.

The Reds will set off on Friday 14th July and will face local side AFC Peel the following day at 2pm

The game is part of a day of fundraising at Peel AFC to raise money for the Tommy Clucas Memorial Fund and also includes a kids football tournament, sports memorabilia auction, live music and laser show. Clucas was a former Peel player, who was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident during the Manx Grand Prix in 2004. Go to http://www.tommyclucasmemorialfund.org/ for more.

Rick Holden played and coached for Peel in the latter stages of his playing career.