Reds fight for future of all at Oakwell – Flitcroft

DAVID FLITCROFT admits that he and his players are fighting not just for their own Barnsley futures over the next two games, but those of staff workers at Oakwell as well.
David Flitcroft with Martin CranieDavid Flitcroft with Martin Cranie
David Flitcroft with Martin Cranie

Issued with an arduous brief to secure Championship football for another year when he was handed the Reds managerial post for the rest of the season in mid-January, Flitcroft acknowledges his hopes of landing a longer-term deal are very much on the line ahead of tomorrow’s massive home encounter with promotion-chasing Hull City.

If the Reds, currently second-from-bottom, triumph against the Tigers, their destiny will go down to the final day of the season at near-neighbours Huddersfield on May 4.

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But if they lose tomorrow and results go against them elsewhere – specifically if Wolves and Peterborough win and Huddersfield draw – they will be all-but relegated, with only a miraculous chain of final-day events able to save them.

The end of Barnsley’s seven-season stint in the Championship would have serious repercussions for many connected with the club, with managing director Don Rowing revealing in yesterday’s Yorkshire Post that ‘very big decisions’ would have to be made in the event of relegation – which would see the club lose £5m-£6m off their turnover next season.

Flitcroft said: “We are a well-run club that runs at a small profit margin, but to do that, you have to cut your cloth and the club have successfully done that and got in sync with the Financial Fair Play.

“But to get relegated means you are looking at de-staffing and downsizing your operation and jobs could be at stake. So there is a lot riding on the last two games.

“But we are still in there fighting.”

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Accepting his managerial tenure could hinge on the on-pitch events on Saturday and the week after at the John Smith’s Stadium, he added: “I want an opportunity to manage at this club next season and to do that, I might have to stay in the Championship and the lads know that.

“That (staying up) was the remit when I took over, for sure and I bought into that and the players did.

“I do want to be here next season regardless of what happens. But it is not my decision.

“I have enjoyed being a manager and the role of leading the group and galvanising the club. I have enjoyed unifying the club and making it as one.”

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Barnsley’s predicament at the bottom of the table may, on paper, still be as perilous as it was when Flitcroft took over, first as caretaker-boss and then permanent manager in January, but closer inspection of the job he has done would suggest nothing less than a major transformation.

Both in terms of the club’s high-octane performances on the pitch and the whole off-the-field mood. Where there was discord and some divisiveness at the start of the New Year – and plenty of negativity – now there is a genuine togetherness among players, staff and supporters, who have bought into everything Flitcroft has preached, almost with evangelical-type zeal.

Having got so far, the 39-year-old and his assistants Micky Mellon and Martin Scott are desperate to successfully write a glorious final chapter to a half season which has captivated many in the town – while penning many more in the future.

Flitcroft said: “I cannot stress enough that the players and fans fought hard to get myself, Micky and Martin the opportunity to manage at this football club.

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“We don’t want to relinquish that. But I believe the players are going to give us their last breath on Saturday and the following Saturday.

“The boys are fighting for the right to stay there and fighting for the club.

“When you can look in a players’ eyes and he wants to get better and improve that day, that energises you as a person and that is what I have been able to have every day I have worked as manager here.

“I think that is key and there’s a lot of dressing rooms around the country where that isn’t the case and when it is time to go as a manager.”

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While Barnsley’s seasonal fortunes may still be unresolved, Flitcroft is at least categorical on one thing. That management is the footballing path for him, ideally at Barnsley.

Flitcroft, No 2 to former manager Keith Hill both at Rochdale and Barnsley before striking out on his own, added: “There have been a lot of assistant managers who have stepped up to the plate and not enjoyed management or wanted to do the press and the other jobs you are asked to do or live with the pressure.

“But I have a good support staff around and a great family and an incredible set of close friends in football. I have got a lot of confidence and belief off them and I want a shot at this.

“I managed the family company for 15 years while I was a player and managing people is probably the key for me. You can go on any course you want, but you won’t learn what I did in 15 years.”