Adam Hammill sticks with Barnsley, insisting '˜I followed my heart'

ADAM HAMMILL has revealed that he snubbed several Championship rivals to sign a new two-year deal at Barnsley after considerable soul-searching.
Barnsley's Adam Hammill, right, celebrates scoring his side's second goalin the League One Play-Off Final at Wembley (Picture: Nick Potts/PA Wire).Barnsley's Adam Hammill, right, celebrates scoring his side's second goalin the League One Play-Off Final at Wembley (Picture: Nick Potts/PA Wire).
Barnsley's Adam Hammill, right, celebrates scoring his side's second goalin the League One Play-Off Final at Wembley (Picture: Nick Potts/PA Wire).

The winger, a catalyst for the club’s remarkable renaissance in the second half of an unforgettable 2015-16, has provided Reds supporters with a welcome fillip after agreeing new terms.

The 28-year-old said that his strong emotional attachment to Barnsley ultimately tipped the scales in his decision to agree fresh terms, despite a number of second-tier clubs, including Lee Johnson’s Bristol City and Reading, understood to have been interested in his services.

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Hammill did suggest that he thought his future might be away from the club at one stage, only ultimately to come to the decision to stay due to his ties at Oakwell.

He admitted his heart has prevailed over his head, while acknowledging that he did not want to make the mistake of leaving the club prematurely, which he felt that he did when he first left for Wolverhampton Wanderers in early 2011.

Hammill, who has grasped his opportunity to rebuild his career fully at Barnsley – with his career having been at a crossroads 12 months ago – said: “It was difficult. There were quite a few offers on the table.

“I had a few other medicals pencilled in. But I couldn’t go through with it in the end – I remember leaving last time and said I left too early.

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“I was close to leaving. But more or less 24 hours went by and I reached the conclusion it would be the wrong choice to leave.

“It was one where I felt I had to be loyal. I followed my heart.

“I have got an affinity and we shared such special moments with the players last season that I thought it would be the wrong time to leave.

“I can see myself kicking on with the team next season and performing just as well.”

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Barnsley are close to agreeing new deals with the out-of-contract trio of Aidy White, George Williams and George Smith.

The Reds are also in the market for a number of incoming targets, including Colchester United’s George Moncur and Walsall’s Tom Bradshaw.

Sheffield United target and ex-Rotherham striker Alex Revell has joined League One rivals Northampton Town.