Inconsistency led Jennings to part with Tykes

Dale Jennings has left Barnsley (Picture: Dean Atkins).

The former Bayern Munich player, who arrived at Oakwell amid considerable fanfare in the summer of 2013 on a three-year deal, endured a frustrating two seasons at the club and he and the Reds have now officially agreed to terminate his contract.

Injury and fitness issues curtailed the 22-year-old’s involvement last term with Mansford acknowledging the time was right for the winger to move on.

He said: “Dale had spent two years at the club and we’d seen some good performances from him – but not as consistently as Dale and the club would like.

“We got to a position where we felt it was right for Dale to leave the club and embark on a new opportunity somewhere else.

“As with all these things, it was a grown-up chat and we all agreed for both parties it was better for Dale to seek new opportunities.

“It will also enable us to add someone different to the group next season.”

Mansford has revealed that new signing Marley Watkins turned down more lucrative offers to join Barnsley. The ex-Inverness Caledonian Thistle forward, who can play on the wing, was on the radar of several other clubs, including Aberdeen.

But the 24-year-old was attracted to the challenge of proving himself south of the border, having started his career in England with Cheltenham.

Mansford said: “Marley was a signing we were always going to try and make, regardless of the eventual situation with Dale.

“Marley is a very talented young man who we have tracked for some time.

“He definitely had more lucrative opportunities and he could have earned more if he had stayed in Scotland.

“But he was impressed with the infrastructure and the history of the club and I was delighted to recruit him, especially since he could have earned more money elsewhere.

“He is very capable of playing through the middle or out wide and the statistics show he was involved in at least 25 goals last year with his club and contributed nine goals and he is a good fit.

“He is 24 and we would imagine he will continue to get better and improve with us here at Barnsley.”