Barnsley FC CEO Jon Flatman makes no apologies for 'disciplined' transfer window approach

Discipline was the operative word that the Reds chief executive officer used on numerous occasions during a recent extensive interview with The Yorkshire Post.

He begs to differ at suggestions that such a stance comes at the expense of ambition after two pretty moribund seasons which saw the Oakwell outfit disappointingly finish in mid-table in League One.

While some big-spending clubs remain on the divisional landscape, several are starting to cut their cloth accordingly and be more responsible, in the view of Flatman.

Third-tier clubs are now reporting average annual losses of £7.2m, up from £2.1m just four years ago. In Barnsley's last set of financial accounts, they posted a £6.6m loss in the year up to June 2025.

Speak to Flatman and Barnsley chairman Neerav Parekh – elected to the EFL Board as a League One divisional representative earlier this summer – and the medium to long-term situation is unsustainable.

It has prompted rule changes by the governing body designed to try and reduce losses and reliance on owner funding. They are now in operation for the 2026-27 season.

Clubs relegated from the second tier will be permitted to spend 65 per cent of turnover on wages during their first season in League One.

Amendments to the Salary Cost Management Protocol (SCMP) will see the percentage of turnover that remaining third-tier clubs will be able to spend on wages reduced from 60 to 50 per cent, with manager costs to now also be included within the SCMP calculation.

Flatman told The Yorkshire Post: "I think, without speaking out of turn, there's going to be some clubs in League One who have probably decided this year that a more disciplined model is the right one.

"I think you're going to see more clubs going down that road.

"It's about the discipline. Ambition is a word that can be taken in many different ways. Lincoln were full of ambition this year, but they were also extremely disciplined with their finances and they came out top of the table.

"So there's a very clear opportunity there to be disciplined alongside being ambitious, energetic and enthusiastic and being true to what you are as a team and a club. You can do that. That's very possible.

"And we are going to do that this year in our recruitment and we're going to look for young players.

"We're going to look for hungry players who are willing to run and show a real ability to go forward, both with and without the ball.

"And we're going to show discipline on the field and off it."

So far in their window work, Barnsley have spent a six-figure fee on a 23-year-old Curacao international in the shape of right-sided wing-back/midfielder Tyrese Noslin.

They have also spent money to bring in Leicester City striker Amani Richards, 21, while Australian winger Clayton Taylor, 23, has arrived with the Reds paying out a compensation fee to A-League outfit Newcastle Jets.

Goalkeeper Ciaran Slicker, 23 and forward Makenzie Kirk, 22, have also signed on loan for the 2026-27 season, from Ipswich and Portsmouth.

Barnsley's business is far from finished yet, with the club keen on bringing in further attacking targets, while there is also a need for reinforcement in central defence.

In terms of potential outgoings, it remains to be seen if Reyes Cleary remains at the club by the end of the window, with the winger on the radar of several Championship clubs.

Patrick Kelly's star is also on the rise following his feats with Northern Ireland, while there has been speculation regarding the future of captain Luca Connell over the past few windows.

Lincoln's outstanding success in 2025-26 has provided evidence and hope that clubs do not have to waft the chequebook with abandon to be successful in an increasingly competitive division.

While Flatman believes that the Imps do not constitute a direct role model to follow, he acknowledges that there are many elements of their progression to admire.

He continued: "I think I use Lincoln not as a role model for the club, because every club is different. Their fan base is different to ours. The size of their ground is very different.

"Ultimately, maybe their ceiling is different as well in terms of what we can offer here, whereas what they can offer.

"But I use them as an example to show that discipline in recruitment, discipline in terms of financial spend and celebrating what you do have and making the most of it, alongside a bit of luck here and there.

"They built momentum early in the (2025-26) season and it carried on. They're a disciplined organisation and there are many other very well-disciplined run organisations."

Back to that word 'disciplined' again.