It barely seems two minutes since we said goodbye to the 2010-2011 season but preparations are already underway for the 2011-2012 campaign, with the seedings for the first round draw of the Carling Cup being announced today.
The Reds, whose best performance in the League Cup is the fourth round- something which they managed in 2009-2010- are one of the Northern teams to be seeded and therefore will play one of the following 17 teams Accrington Stanley, Bradford City, Burton Albion, Bury, Chesterfield, Crewe Alexandra, Hartlepool United, Macclesfield Town, Morecambe, Notts County, Oldham Athletic, Port Vale, Rotherham United, Sheffield Wednesday, Shrewsbury Town, Tranmere Rovers or Walsall.
It was Barnsley’s new manager Keith Hill who disposed of the Reds last season when his Rochdale side triumphed 1-0 at Oakwell in the First Round last August. The draw for this season’s opening stage takes place at 10am on Thursday.
Meanwhile Barnsley have today revealed what the new 2011-2012 home shirt will look like. The Reds have both new kit makers and sponsors for the coming season with Nike and Ponty End sponsors CK Beckett replacing Lotto and Barnsley Building Society respectively. To have a look at the new kit click here.