Barnsley FC issue survival warning in continued absence of fans

In the second part of an exclusive interview with The Yorkshire Post, Reds chief executive Dane Murphy speaks about the financial position of the club as they continue to wrestle with the impact of Covid-19 on football.

Murphy also speaks about some other key issues, including his relationship with James Cryne and the subject of release clauses in coaches’ contracts after the exit of Gerhard Struber.

LW: Where is the club financially at the moment? There is talk that some Championship clubs could be really struggling further down the line.

DM: I hate to sound like a broken record, but I do think Barnsley is in a better place than others. We’re never going to be in the clear or safe or in a great financial standing. That being so, we have no idea what the future brings.

But we know there are teams in League One and Two that are struggling and teams in our division that are struggling. We don’t know when and how the solution will come, but I know all interested parties are working on it. The FA, EFL, Premier League and Government may not be on the same page, but it is at the forefront of minds for those who can get a deal done.

Barnsley itself finds their operations and financial standing better than some. Not all. But how long does this last and how long do we have these revenue streams completely dry and manage?

LW: Could Barnsley cope financially if fans were not allowed into stadiums for the rest of the season?

DM: We have kind of built financing planning on a ‘worst case’ and ‘best case’ scenario. None of them are great, to be honest. Will we be able to get through? If we are prudent, diligent and smart, yes. But there is still going to be pain as everyone is feeling pain right now.

LW: Did you have any money due from clauses and money owed from existing deals?

DM: Nothing that was not paid. It was a very strange (transfer) market. But the thing I found and was pleasantly surprised with – although maybe I should not be surprised – is the fact that while previous deals with clubs have often been in instalments or sell-ons, everything has been paid and done so in time and in a very professional manner this time.

Although it is a very difficult time for everyone in football, clubs are trying to perform business as usual.

LW: Is there anything new on the land dispute at Oakwell?

DM: There is nothing new to report on that. That is taking place above my head between the two parts of the ownership group.

LW: What about the continued role of James Cryne at the club going forward?.

DM: Nothing between James and I has changed or will change. We work very closely together on all phases of recruitment. James is just an extremely bright, integral part of the club and helps us in more ways than we can count. Nothing has changed in his working pattern and influence here.

LW: Much was made of the release clause in previous head coach Gerhard Struber’s deal which allowed him to leave.

DM: We have, in the past, had these clauses. One of the ways to get Gerhard on board was to have a release clause. To be honest, I am not totally against them. If a coach does really well, it brings us a step forward and it is (ultimately) the decision of the coach in the end if he wants to move on.

If you want a coach to be here and really continue to grow the club, he has to want to be here.

If the clause is such an amount that it can really benefit the club financially and for its reinvestment in the team, it makes sense.

That being said, we did not want to lose Gerhard and I was very adamant and open about that. But in the end, it was a significant amount and they (New York Red Bulls) met it and, in the end, Gerhard made a decision that he wanted to leave.

LW: So, can a release clause be attractive to bringing in a better class of coach?

DM: Right. Coming to England to pursue a career as a young coach is a dream for a lot of very strong, high-calibre coaches throughout the continent.

LW: What about the start to the season on the pitch.

DM: We are being more dynamic, efficient and dangerous in the attacking third. The group has stuck together from the roller-coaster ride and early bumps in the season. The unity is there and the locker room is strong and we have good leadership.

I honestly feel that if we continue in this way, then we will be fine and start to gain the results that we need more consistently.

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