Barnsley FC prospect Romal Palmer hoping to build on Oakwell breakthrough

ROMAL PALMER is one of a selective group of people who can safely say that 2020 has been a special year as opposed to a wretched one.
Romal Palmer in training for Barnsley (Picture: Barnsley FC)Romal Palmer in training for Barnsley (Picture: Barnsley FC)
Romal Palmer in training for Barnsley (Picture: Barnsley FC)

The Barnsley midfielder has come of age after earning his big break at the club when he was handed his debut in the Reds’ first game after the first lockdown at QPR on June 20.

It is a moment that the Mancunian, who had signed a new two-year deal a month earlier, will never forget.

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Palmer may currently be sidelined through injury and missed the final weeks of the Reds’ Great Escape, but it cannot tarnish his memories of a stellar year.

Romal Palmer in training for Barnsley (Picture: Barnsley FC)Romal Palmer in training for Barnsley (Picture: Barnsley FC)
Romal Palmer in training for Barnsley (Picture: Barnsley FC)

The 22-year-old, one of a number of young players making a name for themselves at Oakwell, said: “One hundred per cent, it is something I will treasure for a long time. My debut was obviously quite surprising and it was more excitement. I was buzzing and was thinking of how many people who would be proud, such as my family.

“Leading up to that week in training, I was not really pulling my weight or doing too well. We got to the hotel and there was a meeting in the morning and the team was up on the board and my name was there and I thought: ‘Wow, this is crazy.”

On the role of his family in his rise to prominence at Barnsley, Palmer reserves special thanks for one particular person.

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He continued: “All credit to my mum. She has been there since day one and supported me when I was low and there were times when I thought I could not keep it going and she kept me motivated. My family have been important.”

Part of Palmer’s education arrived in non-league surroundings at Darlington back in 2018-19 and it is also an experience that he will be grateful for after being taken out of his comfort zone.

The former Manchester City academy player added: “When I got the call (from Darlington), I was a bit surprised and did not know what to expect. I had to research quite a bit.

“When I got there, I was surprised and I could not believe how good it was. The Darlington fans were class and that built me up as a man and matured me as a player.

“Most of the games were quite nasty!

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“There were a lot of games and I knew my body could deal with a lot of games (after that).”

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