Barnsley FC owners in it for the long haul, insists Dane Murphy

It is an issue that chief executive officer Dane Murphy does not shy away from and is eager to do something about. Some would say belatedly, but the intent is at least there.

Perception can be everything. In that vein, the lack of inclination to engage with fans from co-chairmen Paul Conway and Chien Lee – who many view as absentee owners with visits to Barnsley being increasingly rare – is perceived as a sign that they care little for the Oakwell club and its followers, with profits being their sole interest. Rightly or wrongly.

Murphy, understandably given his position, would challenge that, with the Reds owners in it for the long term, being his view.

On the issue of a wedge between the club’s owners and supporters, Murphy told The Yorkshire Post: “It is tough. Last year, no-one would have brought that up. When things are not going well, it is easier to point out things that are wrong with the board at the top end when you are losing games.

“Can communication get better? It always can. It falls on me, number one, but it is one of the major aspects of my job that I have to take on.

“Part of the reason it is pointed out is that Paul, Chien, Neerav Parekh (director) and other members of the board are not here on site and live here in Barnsley.

“They like to allow the people who are working at the club day in, day out to do their jobs.

“They definitely care. I think that there is this myth that they have a certain window of time they will invest in and then move on. That is not true.

“Are they businessmen? Yes. Do they come in and see a club they can bolster up and see potential in and build? Of course. But I think they are in this for the long haul.

“It is England. The reason they put their focus into Barnsley and why Chien has the badge of Barnsley on his Twitter (account) – instead of when he was at Nice – is because this is the pinnacle and what they want to be involved in.”

The perceived disengagement has fostered a belief among many fans that relegation is something that – while undesirable – is ultimately something that the club’s owners are not overly concerned about, as long as the model of being able to recruit young players and sell on for a handsome profit is not overly affected.

Murphy again disputes this – citing the retaining of the club’s ‘core players’ in January as evidence of that.

On talk of the club being prepared for relegation, he added: “My response to that is that we did not sell players who are helping us to win games now.

“We tried to add players in January who we thought could contribute. Outside of the three we brought in, we tried to bring in more. It just did not get over the line with a few – even up until deadline day.”

Murphy has stressed that significant investment to bring head coach Gerhard Struber and his team to Barnsley in November is further evidence of the commitment to keep the Reds in the Championship.

If the league table was based on results since the Austrian took over, Barnsley would be sixth from bottom – with boardroom confidence high that the Reds will retain their second-tier status. Should that not be the case, the club are planning on Struber being at the helm to orchestrate a promotion attempt next season.

Murphy said: “He has a long-term contract and I truly believe part of the reason that Gerhard was willing to take the risk on us and us on him was that he wanted to come here so badly and prove himself in English football.

“I believe we are going to stay up, but if we go down, I believe Gerhard will still be at Barnsley.

“If we go down to League One with our core intact and Gerhard at the helm, we are very confident we can go straight back up.

“But again, I will reiterate that I don’t think there is one person on the technical side and in the players and staff who does not think we can do enough to stay in it.

“Gerhard loves working here. He loves the people and the community and he has said not too long ago, that come what may, he has really enjoyed his time and got the contract in place.”