2008
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Anderson De Silva's header and Jamal Campbell-Ryce's late penalty clinched Barnsley's first Coca-Cola Championship win in five matches against 10-man Plymouth.

Brazilian midfielder De Silva headed home Diego Leon's 38th-minute free-kick and Campbell-Ryce side-footed home a last-minute penalty, but the Tykes made hard work of seeing off struggling Plymouth.

The visitors played with 10 men for much of the match after Simon Walton had been shown a straight red card 20 minutes before the break.

Walton took exception to De Silva's firm challenge and kicked out at the former Everton playmaker to leave Plymouth, without a win in their past five league matches, facing an uphill struggle in the second period.

Barnsley manager Simon Davey was forced into two changes, with central defender Darren Moore (groin) back from a six-match injury lay-off and Rob Kozluk starting.

Plymouth striker Rory Fallon was suspended so Steve MacLean returned for Paul Sturrock's side.

Barnsley spurned a golden chance to take the lead in the 10th minute.

Leon crossed and unmarked midfielder De Silva headed wide with just Plymouth goalkeeper Romain Larrieu to beat.

The game exploded into life in the 26th minute when Plymouth midfielder Walton left referee Dean Whitestone with no choice other than to brandish a straight red card.

The former Leeds and Ipswich midfielder took exception to De Silva's challenge and kicked out at the elegant Brazilian right in front of the match official.

De Silva then headed the subsequent free-kick against the crossbar and when the ball rebounded to Bobby Hassell, the Barnsley midfielder forced a fine one-handed save from Larrieu with a fierce volley from the edge of the penalty area.

Barnsley deservedly broke the deadlock in the 38th minute.

Leon clipped another weighted free-kick into the area and this time De Silva was on target with his header for his first goal of the season, albeit via a deflection that strike partner Jon Macken appeared to be claiming.

De Silva almost scored a second five minutes after the restart, firing in a low shot from 20 yards that Larrieu turned away and then Argyle defender Krisztian Timar headed the ball on to his own crossbar when under pressure from the Brazilian.

Plymouth worked tirelessly as Barnsley hogged possession without carving out clear scoring chances and striker Paul Gallagher reminded the home side they had only a slender lead with a 25-yard snap-shot in the 66th minute.

Davey sent on-loan Blackburn striker Maceo Rigters for the ineffective Jamie Cureton with 20 minutes left as Barnsley began to labour in the final third.

Within minutes of his arrival the Dutchman swivelled on the edge of the penalty area and rifled in a vicious shot to the near post that Larrieu turned away.

Barnsley made sure of the points in the last minute when Leon was tripped in the penalty area by Plymouth substitute David McNamee and Campbell-Ryce coolly converted.
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FOOTBALL League clubs voted to introduce a ‘Home Grown Players’ rule, as proposed by The Football League Board, at a specially arranged EGM of clubs at Derby yesterday. The new rule will come into effect from the beginning of next season.

Without understanding the fine mechanics of the system; I think this is superb news for Barnsley footballers.

Knowing your players is one thing - however, I've always been a massive fan of using the England "B" system for so-called "Championship" and "below" players. Maybe this will give us the chance to experiment with more authority?
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Darren Moore, having recovered from a groin problem which has sidelined him for almost a month, will make a timely return to the Reds’ rearguard against Plymouth tomorrow.

The 34-year-old centre-back will slot in alongside skipper Stephen Foster in the absence of Brazilian Dennis Souza, who will miss Barnsley’s Christmas programme because of a calf injury. Argentine ace Hugo Colace is also ruled out of tomorrow’s clash because of a one-match suspension, but will return to the squad for the Boxing Day trip to high-flying Burnley.

My opinion is that whilst originally he has been underated, generally most fans would still rather have him here. From his digs in Sheffield, I'm told that he's a GIANT. I believe that, and so would any centre-forward (Premier or other).

Glad to see you back Daz!
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BARNSLEY boss Simon Davey insisted last night that his side’s goalscoring problems can be rectified. The quality of the Reds’ football is not in question – but fans are frustrated at the team’s failure to find the net. The Oakwell men have managed 23 goals in 23 Championship matches. But Davey is confident that the problem can be overcome, whether by the players already at the club or by a swoop into the January transfer market. He said: “I am sure that we can address the issue. I would be worried if we were not creating the chances."

Unfashionable as I may sound, I still believe Kayode Odejayi can do it. He just has to play football and stop trying to entertain.
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REDS boss Simon Davey last night hinted that he will be delving into the January transfer market. Oakwell owner Patrick Cryne has stated that funds are available for when the transfer window opens up in the New Year. And Davey said: “We know what our requirements are and we know what positions we need to strengthen. “Of course we are concentrating fully on our Christmas programme at the moment, but as soon as the transfer window does re-open in January we will see what’s available and what sort of price bracket players are being put into.”
Episode 14:

This week it was the turn of the Majeski Stadium to play host to the latest Coca-Cola Football League Podcast and Mark Clemmit was joined by Marcus Hahnemann, Adrian Edmondson and Damion Stewart.

Click here to listen to the 14th episode in full now

Click here to subscribe via iTunes

Reading goalkeeper Hahnemann discusses life as an American playing in England, as well as an insight into everthing from Iron Maiden to Motor Mechanics.

Exeter City fan Adrian Edmondson tells why he prefers St James Park to Stamford Bridge, and Queens Park Rangers' defender Damion Stewart talks about swapping the Caribbean for Loftus Road.

If you're registered with iTunes, you can set up a weekly subscription by clicking here.

Between now and the end of the season the Coca-Cola Football League Podcast will feature all 72 League clubs, so make sure you listen to the show this week and every week.
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Barnsley defender Dennis Souza looks set to miss the festive programme after picking up a calf injury in the weekend defeat at Wolves.

Physio Matt Konapinski believes the Sao Paulo-born 28-year-old will be sidelined for at least two weeks.

Meanwhile, midfielder Martin Devaney hopes to return to first-team action next month after being sidelined for the last three weeks with a ligament injury.

He told the Sheffield Star: "I'm looking to get back as soon as possible. I've been kicking my heels on the sidelines, it's been frustrating.

"It's the longest time I've been out in my career, but I've got my goal to get back as quickly as possible.

"However, I'm being guided by the physio and I don't want to rush back too soon if my injury hasn't healed.

"I've got a ruptured ligament, so hopefully in three to four weeks I'll be back, but I've been told for an injury of that nature you can be out for anywhere between six to eight weeks."
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Barnsley skipper Stephen Foster is struggling to accept how his side can be 28 points worse off than Championship leaders Wolves.

The Reds lost 2-0 at Molineux on Saturday and lie sixth-from-bottom of the table, but Foster insists there is little to choose between the two sides.

He told the club's official website: "We played very well at Wolves, passed it well but did not make their keeper make many saves. We are nearly there as a team and are playing pretty well, but it is just that final thing.

"There was not that much between the teams. There was not three points between us on the day and they are not worth double the number of points.

"That is something else which is very frustrating and that is something we have to put right.

"Wolves picked up a win without playing well and they have that winning mentality and winning formula. We have not had that in the last few weeks."
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Two more MPs have called for the Football Association to review their decision not to hand an increased punishment to Chris Morgan for the challenge which left Barnsley's Iain Hume with a fractured skull.

Barnsley Central MP Eric Illsley tabled an early day motion in parliament 11 days ago, urging the FA to further penalise Sheffield United captain Morgan, who was booked for elbowing Barnsley striker Hume in the side of the head at Oakwell last month.

Colin Challen, Labour MP for Morley and Rothwell, and Rudi Vis, Labour MP for Finchley and Golders Green, are the latest to declare their support - bringing the total number of MPs to eight.

Jim Devine, Labour MP for Livingston, Michael Clapham, Labour MP for Barnsley West and Penistone, Mike Hancock, Liberal Democrat MP for Portsmouth South, Nick Palmer, Labour MP for Broxtowe, and Ann Cryer, Labour MP for Keighley, have all signed the EDM in the last 10 days.

Hume, 25, suffered a fractured skull and internal bleeding in the incident which overshadowed the South Yorkshire derby on November 8, and spent 24 hours in a hospital high dependency unit after undergoing emergency surgery.

The FA later decided not to punish Morgan further, concluding they could "only bring additional charges in the most exceptional cases and only if it can be proved beyond doubt that the actions of a player were a deliberate attempt to injure an opponent".
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Injured Barnsley striker Iain Hume is looking for a chauffeur to help his drive back to full fitness.

It was feared Hume would miss the season after suffering a fractured skull in the Coca-Cola Championship match against rivals Sheffield United.

But brain specialists have told him he could return to training within two months - if he can find someone to drive him there and back!

Hume is now on the look out for a personal chauffeur after being told he will not be able to get behind the wheel for up to six months.

The Canada international is desperate to rejoin his team-mates as soon as possible and play some part in the remainder of the season as the Tykes battle to avoid relegation.

Ex-Leicester man Hume is being driven around by friends and family members at the moment.

But there is every chance the club will fix him up with a full-time chauffeur.

Tykes Manager Simon Davey said: "Iain was back at the ground for the 1-0 defeat against Reading after managing to get himself out of the house and over here to Oakwell.

"His father-in-law brought him, and it was great to see him again.

"Iain is not going to be able to drive for six months and, in the meantime, there are a lot of stages and hurdles for him to get over.

"But the club will endeavour to do all it can to help him get back to full fitness."
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Barnsley manager Simon Davey has hinted he could be ready to spend some of club owner Patrick Cryne's money on a new striker.

The Reds created as many chances as Wolves on Saturday but once again failed to convert any of them, while Cryne has confirmed money will be made available if Davey wants to replace injured striker Iain Hume.

Davey said: "I'm sure that we can address the problem. I would be worried if we were not creating the chances. We are and the thing we must make sure of is that we start to convert them."

He added: "We've come to the top team in the division and for long spells we passed he ball better than them, especially either side of half-time.

"But it is what you do in the final third of the pitch that counts and once again we have failed to turn some good football into goals. When you take chance for chance, we equalled them."
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Danny Wilson has been sacked as manager of League One side Hartlepool United.The former Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday boss, who leaves the club just seven points outside the drop zone, will be replaced on a temporary basis by caretaker manager Chris Turner.Despite having extended their unbeaten run to four games with a 1-1 draw against Hereford last weekend, Wilson was not given a stay of execution with Turner taking over the reins as well as continuing in his role as Director of Sport.

A statement on the club's website read:

As of today, Danny Wilson has left the services of Hartlepool United Football Club.

Chris Turner will be in temporary charge of First Team affairs as well as carrying out his duties as Director of Sport.

The Club would like to thank Danny for the hard work he has put in during his time at Victoria Park and wish him all the best for the future.
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The Football League, Premier League and Football Association have agreed to push the transfer deadline back to 5pm on 2nd February.

This decision has been taken because January 31 falls on a Saturday and, in order to fall in line with procedures adopted by Foreign Associations, the closure has been moved from a weekend date to the first available week day.

This is consistent with the decision taken in August when the deadline was extended to 1st September and has the support of the majority of national associations and European Leagues.
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Barnsley's 17-year Molineux hoodoo continued as a professional Wolves display gave the Coca-Cola Championship leaders all three points.

The Reds last tasted victory at Wolves in 1991 and they never really looked like breaking their duck today as Wanderers strolled to victory with goals in either half.

In truth Barnsley could have found themselves two down even before Bobby Hassell knocked the ball into his own net after goalkeeper Heinz Muller has missed a cross.

Both Kevin Foley and Andy Keogh should have done better with early chances as the hosts began brightly and produced some of the bright, attacking football that has seen them score 48 league goals this season.

Barnsley did improve after the break and could have snatched a point late on with Jamie Cureton and Maceo Rigters missing the target with close-range headers, but Foley made the game safe with a late strike.

"We passed it well at times and were always in the game until their second goal," said Barnsley boss Simon Davey.

"All credit to Wolves. They are flying at the moment. The teams at the top are the ones who come alive in the final third and are more clinical. It's not just the finishing, it's the quality of the balls in as well.

"Wolves are top of the division and consistently winning games. That puts them in good stead and it looks like they could go straight up, although Birmingham and Reading are pushing as well."

As expected, the hosts started on the front foot and Foley stung the hands of Muller with a shot from the edge of the area.

Barnsley were caught on the counter attack in the 19th minute as a swift move created the opening goal.

Following good build-up play from David Edwards and Foley, a dangerous cross was missed by Muller and the hapless Hassell turned the ball into his own net.

It was almost 2-0 moments later as Foley, who was causing the Tykes all sorts of problems down the right flank, drilled a brilliant shot just wide of the post from 20 yards.

More intense pressure from the home side resulted in another goalscoring chance for Keogh, who should have done better with a close-range header following good play from Foley.

Barnsley were dealt another blow just before half-time as Brazilian centre-back Dennis Souza was forced off through injury.

The second half began at a much slower pace with Wolves happy to sit on their slender lead. This encouraged the Tykes to take a stranglehold of proceedings but despite some nice interplay in the middle of the park, they found it hard to penetrate the home defence.

They did go close in the 65th minute, though, as Cureton found himself with space in the area. But the on-loan striker sent his header over the bar when he should have hit the target.

Substitute Rigters had a great chance to draw the visitors level but he missed the target with a far-post header, before Foley put the game to bed five minutes from time with a shot from just inside the area after good work from Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.
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According to today's Yorkshire Post; Mick McCarthy believes his own experience in winning promotion with Barnsley as a young player means his Wolves side will not feel the pressure against his former club today.

The Molineux club top the Championship with an impressive haul of 50 points from 22 games and enjoy a seven-point advantage over third-placed Reading.

Such a lofty position usually brings added pressure to a side but McCarthy, who won promotion with the Tykes from the old Third Division in 1981, is adamant the youthful nature of his squad means they are not feeling the strain ahead of today's meeting with Barnsley.

The Wolves manager said: "Maybe they don't know how they are expected to feel. I remember being promoted with Barnsley in the Eighties. I was 23 and if someone asked me about pressure, I would have said they were barmy.

"It was only afterwards that I thought 'thank God for that'."

Barnsley seem set for a searching test of their own credentials today against a side who have been beaten just once at home all season.

They can, however, seek comfort from their display at Swansea City on Tuesday night when only a stoppage-time equaliser by Jason Scotland prevented Barnsley from inflicting what would have been only the home side's second defeat of the season at the Liberty Stadium.
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Barnsley's Academy Player of the Year, Jamil Adam, has been invited to attend Nigeria's Youth Championship training camp.

According to the Lagos based Guardian Newspaper,'Flying Eagles' Coach Ladan Bosso has invited 21 foreign-based and 25 home-based players to camp in preparation for the African Youth Championships (AYC) billed for Kigali, Rwanda from January 18 to February 1, 2009.
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Simon Whaley has complimented the management and coaching staff at Barnsley FC in a recent interview.

Speaking with Preston's Official site, Whaley said that under the management of Simon Davey he absorbed a great deal.

"I learned a lot over there, it was a different experience and it's definitely helped me with my career.

"It was a completely different style of training and coaching and the environment was different as well with quite a few non-British players which is different to North End where there aren't so many," he explained.

And obviously there were a couple of familiar faces for him to work with.

"It was good to work with Kelham again, I worked with him at Bury and a little bit with Ryan at North End," he said.

Whaley scored once in five appearances during his loan at Oakwell
Martin Devaney has agreed a new contract which will keep him at Oakwell until the summer of 2011.

Speaking to the club's official site, Martin said: "I am really pleased to have signed this new contract. I have been here a while and to stay at Barnsley is fantastic for me. I could not wait to get it signed and hopefully we can all push on now to more success in the Championship.

"My time here has been very, very successful and I have really enjoyed it. We won promotion from League One to the Championship in my first season; have had two years of Championship football as well as everything that went with our great FA Cup run last year.

"Simon (Davey) has been fantastic for me and I have played a lot of football under him. You always have worries when a new manager comes in and I have seen a lot of players leave this football club but I have worked hard and this is my second new contract under Simon's management so I must be doing something right".

Barnsley manager Simon Davey added: "I am delighted to get another player tied down to a long term contract and, before he picked up his injury, Martin was really hitting form for us this season.

"Martin is a player who has all the attributes to be an excellent performer at this level and is a real match winner on his day. I am delighted to have him with us for another two-and-a-half years".

Martin joined the Reds in August 2005 from Watford and has gone on to make 149 first team appearances, netting 18 goals.
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Barnsley FC owner Patrick Cryne has admitted to the Chronicle that he will be making funds available to Simon Davey during the January transfer window.

The Reds have been crippled by injuries in recent weeks but the manager will be allowed to strengthen the squad at the beginning of this year.
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According to this week's Chronicle, Reds midfielder Anderson De Silva faces a race against time to be fit for Barnsley's trip to runaway leaders Wolves on Saturday.

The Brazilian playmaker missed the midweek clash at Swansea after having stitches in his ankle during the half-time break against Reading.
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Barnlsey assistant manager Ryan Kidd says the side will be travelling to Wolves on Saturday looking for all three points.

As Barnsley prepare for what looks likely to be their toughest trip of the campaign Kidd believes they can take confidence going into the match despite Wolves being the leaders of the Championship and Barnsley struggling for consistency.

"We are going to Wolves to win the game on Saturday. The players and coaching staff believe that we can go there and get all three points.

"We played them here last season and did very, very well against them.

"They have to strikers who are scoring a lot of goals and we have to be aware of that but it is a great game for our players to go and test ourselves again in.

"We cannot go there and sit back for 90 minutes hoping to get something from the game. We have to go there and go out to get it.

"They are a team in form and are confident but I am sure they will be expecting to beat us. Mick McCarthy will make them all aware of what to expect from a Barnsley team and I am sure they will not take us too lightly."
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Reds full back, Marciano Van Homeot, expects a tough encounter this weekend when Barnsley travel to the Championship's high-flyers Wolves; but fans can expect to get something from the game.

Speaking the clubs official site, Marciano said: "I do not know much about Wolves and I have not seen them this season although they are at the top and it will be tough. However, we have to take the good things we did at Swansea for 70 minutes and concentrate on that for a full game.

"We are going there to get something and there is no point thinking we are going for anything else".
Episode 13:

In this week's 'Coca-Cola' Football League podcast, Mark Clemmit is joined by Brian Howard, Chris Iwelumo, Dean Lewington, Grant Holt, Nick Owen and Rhys Day.

Click here to listen to the 13th episode in full now

Click here to subscribe via iTunes

Brian Howard joins the show to discuss life at Sheffield United and reveals his frustrations at the rule preventing him from progressing an international career.

Reflecting on their own personal success the three divisional Powerade Players of the Month - Wolverhampton Wanderers' Chris Iwelumo, Milton Keynes Dons' Dean Lewington and Shrewsbury Town's Grant Holt catch up with Clem.

Completing a busy show, Luton Town Chairman Nick Owen talks about life at the wrong end of The Football League and Aldershot Town skipper Rhys Day admits he's got a busy few days of Christmas shopping ahead of him.

If you're registered with iTunes, you can set up a weekly subscription by clicking here.

Alternatively, if you're unfamiliar with how to listen to podcasts you can read a helpful guide by clicking here.

Between now and the end of the season the Coca-Cola Football League Podcast will feature all 72 League clubs, so make sure you listen to the show this week and every week.
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Two more MPs have today backed Eric Illsley's early day motion (EDM) calling for the Football Association to review its decision not to punish Sheffield United's Chris Morgan for the challenge that left Iain Hume with a fractured skull.

Jim Devine, Labour MP for Livingston, and Michael Clapham, Labour MP for Barnsley West and Penistone, are the latest to declare their support.

Mike Hancock, Liberal Democrat MP for Portsmouth South; Nick Palmer, Labour MP for Broxtowe; and Ann Cryer, Labour MP for Keighley, signed the Early Day Motion earlier this week.
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The clubs site has now published information for our forthcoming FA Cup Third round tie at West Ham.

Barnsley travel to the Boleyn Ground on Saturday 3rd January 2009, KO 3.00pm. Barnsley Football Club will receive an allocation of 5000 tickets for the game.

Tickets for this game are priced at:

Adult Season Ticket Holder - £10.00
Adult Non-Season Ticket Holder £15.00
All Senior Citizens (60 and over) £7.50
Young Adults 16 & 17 years old £7.50
Juvenile (15 and Under) £5.00

Tickets for this game will be sold on a category system, details can be found here.
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JASON Scotland's last minute equaliser snatched a share of the spoils for Swansea after the Reds had been two up and cruising at the Liberty Stadium.

Reds boss Simon Davey told the BBC: "I'm frustrated we let a goal with 15 seconds to go and that hurts.

"I felt we came to Swansea, who are a good side especially at home, and had a game plan and it worked.

"We got ourselves 2-0 in front and we looked comfortable, then the game changed.

"We gave [Jason] Scotland too much room. I warned the players before the game and at half time and unfortunately they didn't take it on board and we've been punished."
Southampton have named former Huddersfield, Barnsley and Blackpool midfielder Dean Gorre as assistant to head coach Jan Poortvliet.

Gorre, who also played for Feyenoord and Ajax, was part of Saints' coaching set-up on a non-contract basis and has now been announced as number two to his fellow Dutchman with immediate effect.

"I am delighted that Dean has agreed to support me at Southampton," Poortvliet told Saints' official website.

"He shares my passion for good, passing football in the Johan Cruyff tradition and also has a great deal of experience of English football as a player. He will undoubtedly strengthen our coaching team."
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Three more MPs have backed Eric Illsley's calls for the FA to review its decision not to punish Chris Morgan for his challenge on Iain Hume.

Sheffield United defender Morgan clashed with Barnsley's Hume in the Championship clash at Oakwell on November 8, leaving the latter with a fractured skull.

Barnsley central MP Eric Illsley tabled his parliamentary EDM last Friday and Mike Hancock, Liberal Democrat MP for Portsmouth South, Nick Palmer, Labour MP for Broxtowe and Ann Cryer, Labour MP for Keighley have signed it.

Morgan was booked for elbowing Hume in the side of the head during the derby clash last month.

Canada international Hume also suffered internal bleeding and spent 24 hours in a hospital high dependency unit after having emergency surgery the following day when his condition had deteriorated.

The FA later decided not to punish Morgan further, concluding they could "only bring additional charges in the most exceptional cases and only if it can be proved beyond doubt that the actions of a player were a deliberate attempt to injure an opponent".

Illsley said: "I'm aware of the FA statement and I disagree with it. There are two aspects here, which are the FA's respect agenda and whether or not the actions of Chris Morgan were deliberate. The club are making further representations and what legal avenues are open to them, but my call is for the FA to look at it again."
Iain Hume was back at Barnsley on Saturday, exactly four weeks after suffering a horror injury in the South Yorkshire derby against Sheffield United.

Striker Hume's skull was fractured in a challenge with United skipper Chris Morgan.

According to The Star: He hopes to be back training before the end of February and has not ruled out playing again this season.
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Barnsley midfielder Anderson de Silva is out of Tuesday's clash with Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium.

Reds boss Simon Davey has exclusively revealed that the Brazilian will miss this week's big game with the Swans after picking up a nasty cut to his ankle in the first half of Saturday's defeat by Reading following a challenge with Stephen Hunt.

Although Anderson had stitches in the cut at half time, his ankle has swollen up today and he is not expected to be fit to travel to South Wales.
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Reds boss Simon Davey will not be extending the loan of Preston midfielder Simon Whaley.

Simon has made four appearances since joining the Reds at the start of November, netting one goal, and has returned to Deepdale following Saturday's defeat by Reading.
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The visitors were reduced to ten men in the first-half at Oakwell after Jimmy Kebe's sending off but kept their cool to win the game thanks to Brynjar Gunnarsson's goal.

"We've been fortunate," said manager Steve Coppell afterwards.

"We went down to 10 men in our last away game and we can't keep doing that.

"With the sending-off, the centre-half tried to claim some ground and my player responded by pushing him away so it was a nothing situation. That's no defence because you can't raise your hands but we know what we think and we'll keep our thoughts to ourselves."

Opposite number Simon Davey was in gloomy mood after the game.

"It's very disappointing," he said.

"We couldn't break them down but credit to Reading because we gave them a chance to score and they took it.

"We now have to go to two difficult places in Swansea and Wolves and try and pick up points."
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A defensive howler from Dennis Souza handed 10-man Reading their second victory of the week.

The Royals, fresh from their victory over Coventry on Monday night, came away with all three points after Brazilian centre-back Souza hit an attempted back-pass straight to Kevin Doyle, who crossed for Brynjar Gunnarsson to fire into the empty net.

It was a deserved breakthrough for the Royals, who were barely troubled despite having to play more than half the match with 10 men after Jimmy Kebe was dismissed following a tangle with Souza, and they could have scored more had it not been for inspirational Reds goalkeeper Heinze Muller.

The Reds were only kicked into action after they went behind and both Kayode Odejayi and Jon Macken went close to snatching a late equaliser, while at the other end Doyle should have put the game to bed with a chance on the edge of the area.

Reds manager Simon Davey was forced to make one change to his starting XI with Rob Kozluk's absence with a hamstring injury meaning a recall for Marciano Van Homoet, while Reading boss Steve Coppell named an unchanged line up.

The visitors enjoyed much of the early possession and were denied an early breakthrough when Muller tipped Doyle's flicked header round the post.

Despite their early dominance, however, the Royals looked susceptible on the counter-attack and they almost got caught out when, after a poor defensive clearance, the ball fell to Macken who shot over the bar.

The hosts had a promising opportunity moments later with a free-kick on the edge of the area, but, after a layoff from Hugo Colace, on-loan winger Simon Whaley sent a woeful shot well wide of the target.

Barnsley striker Jamie Cureton went close with an audacious chip from outside the box but Marcus Hahnemann was alert enough to back-pedal and gather the ball.

After a quiet period the game sprung into life in the 35th minute when Kebe was sent off for raising his hands after a tangle with Souza.

The Tykes, eager to take advantage of their numerical advantage, began the second half brightly and top-scorer Macken warmed the hands of Hahnemann with a long-range shot.

But Reading were by no means second best and they went close to finding the net when Ivar Ingimarsson found himself unmarked at the far post and was only denied the opening goal by an outstretched hand from Muller.

The visitors did take the lead in the 64th minute after a defensive mistake from Souza left Gunnarsson to knock into the empty net.

And despite some late pressure from the hosts, Reading held on for a deserved victory.
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LOAN signing Jamie Cureton hopes he can get his season up and running at Barnsley – with a few goals for good measure.

The sharp little striker, now 33, had been a substitute at Norwich and jumped at the chance of a spell at Oakwell.

"I was getting 10 minutes there and I just wanted to play some football and I can hopefully do that with Barnsley," said Cureton who bagged 23 goals in Colchester's first Championship campaign two seasons ago.

"Actually, with a tough set of matches coming up, I couldn't be getting here at a better time. We'll raise our game because it's a tough month ahead."

One of those matches is against Wolves and his former strike partner at Colchester in Chris Iwelumo.

The pair had a successful time together there scoring 41 goals between them in the season that Colchester finished in the top half of The Championship in 2006/07.

Cureton's first Oakwell appearance this afternoon is against one of his former clubs, Reading, who he helped gain promotion to The Championship in 2002.

Cureton said: "I'd love to open my account against them, it's always nice to score against your old club. I had three of my best years there."

He said he'd settled in well at Barnsley but did acknowledge that it was "a bit different with the different nationalities" within the squad.

He said: "I've enjoyed the training, I've partnered Jon Macken and had a session with Kayode Odejayi – then it's up to the manager."

He said he fully expects Reading to be in the promotion shake up at the end of the season -– "they are a good side and have some very good players there," he said.

The Star: 6th December 2008
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WITH Simon Whaley's loan spell up after today's game against Reading, Barnsley manager Simon Davey will speak with his club this weekend about the next move.

Davey says he intends contacting Alan Irvine, boss of Whaley's club Preston, over the weekend with the likelihood he'll pursue an extension.

"We have given Simon a chance to get back into league football," said Davey. "I remember him getting rave reviews as a young player at Bury and then going to Preston but he had just lost his way a bit."

The winger has played three times for the Reds with an injury forcing him to miss two of the games. He was credited with one of the goals in the 3-2 win over Burnley when his shot was deflected.

Barnsley are to drop match-day tickets by £1 - starting with the game against Plymouth on December 20. This follows the VAT reduction and the effects of the general economic climate.
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BARNSLEY'S 'fight for justice' against Sheffield United and Chris Morgan will soon be heard at the Football Association and the House of Commons.

Manager Simon Davey is taking video footage of Morgan's controversial challenge on Iain Hume to Soho Square as part of his appeal against a misconduct charge.

Barnsley MP Eric Illsley has tabled an Early Day Motion in Parliament calling for the FA to review their decision to take no action against Morgan.

Striker Hume was left with a fractured skull as a result of the challenge and is locked in a fight to save his football career.

Davey, who was charged with misconduct after being sent to the stands for complaining about a late penalty, said: "My side of the story is that I lost my rag for 10 to 15 seconds over a penalty decision – but everyone knows why I lost my rag.

"I have admitted what I said but I feel there were mitigating circumstances. I will be showing them some video evidence as well. A lot of decisions seemed to be going against us for certain reasons and that is what lit the touchpaper."

Illsley's motion calls on the FA to review their decision and "either to take action against what can only be described as violent conduct or to abandon once and for all its so-called 'Respect Agenda' in view of the lack of protection given to Iain Hume and the complete failure of football's governing body to deal properly with this issue."

Barnsley's home game against Reading marks the start of a 'tough month', according to Davey. "Reading, Swansea, Wolves, Plymouth, Burnley and Preston – they are all teams who are doing very well in the division," he said.

"If we have an excellent month, we could end up near the top, if we have an indifferent one we might end up down the bottom. But no one likes coming to Barnsley, it is a difficult place to come and get a result and we will relish the opportunity to face top teams."

Yorkshire Post 6th December 2008
Episode 12

In this week's 'Coca-Cola' Football League podcast, Mark Clemmit is joined by Roberto Di Matteo, Pete Winkelman, Kieran Westwood and Anwar Uddin.

Click here to listen to the 12th episode in full now

Click here to subscribe via iTunes

Stadiummk was the scene for the latest Coca-Cola Football League Podcast and Mark Clemmit was joined by Milton Keynes Dons Manager Roberto Di Matteo and Chairman Pete Winkelman.

The pair reflected on the Dons' recent achievements in adjusting to life in League 1, following their promotion in May.

Coventry City's Kieran Westwood joined the show to discuss his international life with the Republic of Ireland and revealed the true story about his lucky shorts. While Dagenham & Redbridge's Anwar Uddin reflected on how his career path has differed to that of his former West Ham team-mates like Frank Lampard and Joe Cole, but how he has enjoyed every second of it.

If you're registered with iTunes, you can set up a weekly subscription by clicking here.

Alternatively, if you're unfamiliar with how to listen to podcasts you can read a helpful guide by clicking here.

Between now and the end of the season the Coca-Cola Football League Podcast will feature all 72 League clubs, so make sure you listen to the show this week and every week.
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Reds on loan striker Jamie Cureton is looking to open his Oakwell account against one of his former clubs this weekend.

Speaking to the club's website Jamie said: "I have not played a lot of football in the last few months so to go up against one of my old clubs is always something to look forward to.

"We have a lot of big games coming up in the next month. I am looking forward to them all and hopefully I will be involved.

"I had not been in the Norwich side for the last 16 matches really and I am not the type of player who will just sit around, not play and pick up a wage. It is a big step for me to come here and hopefully I can play some games.

"I had three great seasons and Reading and it was probably my best time in football. We won promotion and were in a Play Off Final. As a club they have moved on and spent time in the Premier League. They will be a force in this league and will be looking to go straight back up.

"It would be great to score my first goal for Barnsley on Saturday and nice to get one against my old club".
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Barnsley manager Simon Davey has revealed he is hoping to extend Preston winger Simon Whaley's loan spell at Oakwell next week.

Whaley has made three appearances for the Tykes since arriving on loan last month and Davey is keen to keep hold of the talented 23-year-old for longer.

Davey said: "Simon Whaley's loan deal is up after this weekend's game and that is a conversation I will have to have next week with (Preston manager) Alan Irvine.

"We will have to see what the situation is. Simon had a great start to his career at Bury and earned a move to Preston.

"He has lost his way a bit and we want to give him the platform to get that back.

"The quality is there and we want to give him the opportunity to express himself."
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Barnsley's preparations for this weekend's match against Reading have been hit by the freezing conditions.

The Reds have been forced to train indoors because of frozen ground and snow in the last few days.

Manager Simon Davey told BBC Radio Sheffield that the recent cold snap has made preparations difficult.

"Monday, Tuesday we were indoors, we couldn't get on the grass," he said. "We also had a few stuck in the snow as well, two or three missed training."
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Barnsley defender Darren Moore will be bidding this week to step up his rehabilitation program in order to recover from his recent groin injury.

Matt Konopinksi, the Reds Physio, speaking to the club's official site said, "Darren is progressing as we would expect following his groin injury. Darren should have started running again by the time we play Reading and he will be able to start some strengthening work in the gym".
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Reds Boss Simon Davey has requested a peronal hearing with the FA, after admissting a charge of improper conduct.

Davey faces a disciplinary hearing in relation to the Sheffield United fixture, when he was sent to the stands by match official - Andy D'Urso
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FOUR excellent goals, all from outside the penalty area, highlighted Rotherham's 4-2 win over Barnsley in the totesport.com Central League at the Don Valley Stadium last night.

The best was the first by Ryan Taylor who, 35 yards out, showed great precision to send an inch-perfect effort floating over Kyle Letheren, who wasn't that far off his line.

Michael Coulson cleverly flicked a centre for Alistair Taylor inside the far post for the equaliser just past the half-hour. Jamile Adam took advantage of defensive misjudgement to put Barnsley in front.

But Rotherham levelled three minutes into the second half when Peter Holmes struck a low drive into the far corner.

Young midfielder Grant Darley surged with determination to drive home low from 25 yards to put the Millers ahead.

Jacob Butterfield missed a good chance for Barnsley and Marc Newsham might have scored twice for Rotherham before Taylor hit Rotherham's fourth from 20 yards.

Rotherham Utd res: Cann; Darkin, Haggerty, Hemsley, Nicholas (Austin 60); Yates (Vernon 79), Darley, Holmes, Garcia; Taylor, Newsham. Unused: Parr-Gallagher, Gladwin, Richardson.

Barnsley res: Letheren; Scargil, Branson, Potter, Tienen; Taylor (Crapper 75), Butterfield, Heslop, Mellor (Fearnehough 75); Coulson, Adam (Briscoe 84). Unused: Watts, Free.
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Barnsley skipper Stephen Foster hopes the defeat against Nottingham Forest will force the Tykes into an improvement.

Having lost 1-0 against Forest on Saturday they now face a busy and tough-looking month with Reading at home next up before trips to Swansea and table-toppers Wolves after that.

And Foster wants the defeat at the weekend to be the wake-up call he believes they need ahead of December's schedule.

"We have a very difficult game against Reading and hopefully that defeat last week will be the kick up the backside we need. We know that we cannot just turn up and expect to roll teams over," he said on the club's website.
Stephen Foster admits he should have rescued a point for Barnsley in time added on at Nottingham Forest instead of hitting the crossbar.

The Tykes skipper headed Jamal Campbell-Ryce's 92nd-minute cross against the woodwork in the 1-0 defeat at the City Ground on Saturday.

Foster told the club's official website: "I was gutted not to put that one in with the last kick of the game at Nottingham Forest.

"If anything I had too much time and saw the ball come all the way over.

"Sometimes it's better when you don't think about it, but that's no excuse and I should have scored."
Simon Davey is looking forward to the Reds trip to Upton Park.

Talking to the clubs website, Davey said: "It is always nice to have the opportunity to pit your wits against one of the biggest clubs in the county so it is one we can really look forward to. "Hopefully we can repeat last season's feat but it is a good draw and we can look forward to playing against one of the biggest teams in one of the biggest stadiums".

The Hammers may feel that 90 minutes against the Reds is just a mere formality, but current form favours Barnsley.

In the last 10 games, West Ham have only won 3 games and have conceded 14 goals (having scored just 9 times themselves). Barnsley on the other hand have only lost 3 times, having converted 17 goals over the same period.

On the West Ham United Blog, it states: "We have been drawn at home to Barnsley in the FA Cup third round. It's not Sheffield United as we had hoped but as openers go, we should be going through to the next round with this fairly easy tie".

Folks, over the next couple of weeks, whilst you are on your field trips to Liverpool and Chelsea, just take a moment to speak to those in the know. Barnsley FC may be a Championship club, but they have humbled bigger teams than you before!
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"We deserved something out of the game but if you don't put your chances away you don't get anything.

"We had chances you would expect us to put away, both Jon Macken in the first half and Stephen Foster at the end should score.

"We have been punished because of that. In this division, you can't afford to miss clear-cut chances away from home."

LINK: Barnsley Boss Simon Davey
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A first-half Joe Garner goal lifted Forest off the bottom of the table.

Garner ghosted between two Barnsley defenders to head home Nathan Tyson's left-wing cross from close range.

Jon Macken should have equalised but headed Jamal Campbell-Ryce's centre wide, while Lewis McGugan clipped the bar with a 25-yard shot for Forest.

In the final 10 minutes Barnsley twice went close, Stephen Foster headed against the bar and Anderson De Silva's 30-yard free-kick was clawed away.
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Sheffield United have a double standard for West Ham and Iain Hume By Ian Winwood 28/11/2008 (Daily Mirror)

Sheffield United were unusually blasé this week following the FA's decision not to take any further action regarding defender Chris Morgan's elbow smash to the head of Barnsley striker Iain Hume earlier this month.

Speaking on BBC Radio Sheffield, Blades assistant manager Sam Ellis said his club now consider the matter "closed."

Actually, make that almost closed, because Ellis couldn't resist one final parting shot.

"We didn't think there was anything more [to the incident]," he continued. "We think people have made a little bit more out of it than they should have."

Oh really, do you?

It's a fact of football journalism that interviewers don't ask those being interviewed to expand on their answers, so we don't know who Ellis thinks these "people" actually are.

But let's try and have a guess.

Could Mr Ellis be talking about Iain Hume himself? Leaving aside the question of intent, the facts of the incident are as follows: Chris Morgan planted his feet on the ground and swung his elbow into the Barnsley player's head with enough force to fracture his opponent's skull, leaving a scar the size of a breakfast bagel.

It's probably safe to assume that Iain Hume did not undergo this life-threatening misfortune so he could get himself on the telly.

Is it, then, the FA who have made more of this matter than they should? No it's not, because the FA have done nothing at all. Chris Morgan was awarded a yellow card for his foul (rather than a three month prison sentence) and that's how it's going to stay.

The Football Association would consider further punishment were the 'circumstances' more 'exceptional', but everyone knows that in the Championship fractured skulls are as common as throw-ins.

So it must be that Sheffield United are referring to Barnsley Football Club as the people who have made too much of the unpleasantness at Oakwell. It is, after all, Barnsley who are threatening to bring a civil action against Morgan and his club. United obviously think this is all wrong, and that the FA's ruling should be a final end to the matter.

This, by the way, is the same Sheffield United who refused the official ruling on the West Ham saga, and are using their own lawyers to try and grab £30 million. The double standard at work here is both hilarious and pitiful.

If Sheffield United can have their day in court, then why can't Barnsley? If an official ruling is the end of the matter in one thing, then why not in everything?

Why not? Because Sheffield United's talk of fairness only applies when it's fair to them, that's why. Anything else gets the elbow.
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On-loan Preston winger Simon Whaley admits he would be interested in a permanent move to Barnsley.

The 23-year-old, who joined on a month-long loan on 7th November, has been limited to just two appearances for the Tykes due to a foot infection.

But Whaley found the net in Monday's 3-2 victory over Burnley and he is now considering his future.

He told the club's official website: "Who knows what will happen at the end of the loan and I could end up here.

"It is a huge incentive to do well because I am playing for my future and the rest of my career."
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JAMIE Cureton has been tipped to make an instant impact on Barnsley's season.

The veteran striker will make his debut against Nottingham Forest today after arriving on a three-month loan deal from Norwich City.

Manager Simon Davey, who swooped after the loss of Iain Hume with a fractured skull, said: "We needed to ensure we have the firepower to maintain our excellent run and Jamie is a player I have admired for a long time. He is a proven goalscorer at this level and if he gets the opportunity then he will normally put it into the back of the net."

Barnsley have made a rapid climb up the Championship – winning six out of the last 10 league games. Another victory today against bottom-of-the-table Forest could lift the Tykes into the top half.

The loss of winger Martin Devaney for eight weeks with damaged ankle ligaments is a major setback, but the Tykes will be boosted by the return of Anderson De Silva after a three-match ban.

Although Forest are bottom after winning just one of their last 16 games, Davey is refusing to take anything for granted at the City Ground.

"Everyone will be looking at this and saying we are the favourites, but they are fighting for their lives and we know this is going to be tough," said Davey.

Forest manager Colin Calderwood has admitted his job is on the line with both Billy Davies and Sam Allardyce being touted as possible replacements.

"I don't want to relinquish it too easily," said Calderwood. "But I think we'll get a good response from the players and if we get a victory we're moving forward again."

Published Date: 29 November 2008
By Ian Appleyard

Nottingham Forest v Barnsley

Barnsley boss Simon Davey believes he has landed a proven goalscorer after signing Norwich striker Jamie Cureton as cover for Iain Hume.

Cureton, 33, has signed a three-month emergency loan deal at Oakwell and could make his debut against Nottingham Forest this weekend as Hume continues his recovery at home after recently fracturing his skull.

Davey said: "We have lost Iain (Hume) and our thoughts are with him, but we need to ensure we have the firepower to maintain our excellent run.

"Jamie is a player I've admired for a long time and has a fantastic goalscoring record. He's another piece in the jigsaw here.

"He's a goalscorer and is proven at this level and if he gets the opportunity then he will put it into the back of the net.

"We're on a fantastic run at the moment and now is the right time to strengthen. Having spoken with his representatives and to Jamie, we know that he wanted to come here. We wanted Jamie and we have signed him."
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Barnsley winger Martin Devaney has been ruled out of action for at least eight weeks after rupturing an ankle ligament.

The former Cheltenham winger sustained the injury 10 minutes into the midweek win over Burnley.

Devaney's loss is a big blow to Barnsley manager Simon Davey, who is already without summer signing Darren Moore for four weeks due to a groin injury.

Tykes striker Iain Hume has also been ruled out long-term as he is recovering from a fractured skull sustained in the local derby with Sheffield United at the beginning of the month.
Podcast: Episode 11

In this week's 'Coca-Cola' Football League podcast, Mark Clemmit is joined by Clarke Carlisle, John Motson, Simon Cox and Keith Hill.

Click here to listen to the 11th episode in full now

Click here to subscribe via iTunes

Burnley's Clarke Carlisle co-hosts this week's show and gives Clem a run for a money with his insight and preparation.

John Motson reflects on the changing face of football and his passion for Barnet and The Football League.

Swindon Town's Simon Cox talks about his recent goal scoring form and Rochdale's Keith Hill tells us about the rigours of a long midweek away game.

If you're registered with iTunes, you can set up a weekly subscription by clicking here.

Alternatively, if you're unfamiliar with how to listen to podcasts you can read a helpful guide by clicking here.

Between now and the end of the season the Coca-Cola Football League Podcast will feature all 72 League clubs, so make sure you listen to the show this week and every week.
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Reds boss Simon Davey could hand a debut to new signing Jamie Cureton at Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Davey beat the transfer deadline for loan signings to bring in the 33-year-old striker on a three-month loan from Championship rivals Norwich.
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The threat of legal proceedings on behalf of fractured skull victim Iain Hume looms large – after the Football Association’s decision not to take further action against Sheffield United captain Chris Morgan left Barnsley FC seething. The Reds may now take Morgan and Sheffield United to a civil court.
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Barnsley manager Simon Davey let rip in Thursday afternoon's press conference over the Iain Hume affair. The Reds boss launched an amazing tirade at the FA following their decision not to upgrade Chris Morgan's yellow card to a red.
Earlier in the month, I took an extremely biased view of the Reds recent form, in creating the Yorkshire Form League based on their run of five games up to the posting on Tuesday 4th November.

Courtesy of OnthePontyEnd's friends at Football Anorak, I have created the latest table based on the last 10 games, the maximum period that can be set.

At the time, the article was criticised for creating a false view. In response, TOUGH, after all this is a site dedicated to Barnsley FC. Obviously we're Pro-Barnsley, passionate about Tarn and hugely fanatic about The Reds !! But in the name of "fairness", see the latest results below.


Ignoring the "Blunt - Dee Dars" - who can't be respected for their sportsmanship, Barnsley have kept their consistent run going. Averaging 1.9 points per game - that's automatic promotion form!

Good luck this Saturday lads. Another nail in Forest's coffin? Let's hope we can get a result we deserve down at the City Ground and keep Humey smiling whilst he recuperates.

In the interests of balance, Donny probably get their basement position as a result of the 6 points we took of them. But as I said before - TOUGH!!


Taken from today's Sun

BARNSLEY'S Iain Hume was today discharged from hospital as his club accused the FA of “big-club bias."

The authorities confirmed yesterday they will not punish Sheffield United's Chris Morgan for the horror challenge which left Hume, 25, with a fractured skull.

The striker spent two further nights in hospital after being readmitted on Monday with an infection but he is now continuing his recovery at home.

Barnsley are considering legal action and claimed the FA would have acted if a more illustrious player had been the victim.

Tykes Simon Davey said: “I am angry and disappointed.

"I think that they’ve let down Iain Hume badly and let down Barnsley Football Club.

“I think that had it been Cristiano Ronaldo, Alex Ferguson and Manchester United, the decision they gave would have been different.”

Barnsley owner Patrick Cryne added: “The two people who should have been punished have got away with it.

"Chris Morgan is still playing football and Andy D’Urso is still refereeing.

“It has not ended for Iain Hume, he has suffered a serious injury which is career-threatening and was life-threatening.

“He and his advisers need to decide their next action. Barnsley Football Club has supported Iain throughout this and will continue to do so.”
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Barnsley are prepared to launch legal action against Sheffield United defender Chris Morgan following his clash with Iain Hume.

The Blades centre-half was involved in a nasty collision with the Tykes striker during a Championship contest at Oakwell on 8th November.

The incident left Hume with a fractured skull, putting his life and professional career in danger.

However, the Football Association cleared Morgan of any wrongdoing on Tuesday and will not be disciplining the defender further.

Barnsley have been left aghast by the FA's refusal to deem Morgan's behaviour as violent and have revealed that they will now be investigating legal proceedings outside of football circles.

Disappointed
"Barnsley Football club is extremely disappointed and concerned that the FA has failed to take any action regarding the violent conduct of Chris Morgan which left Iain Hume requiring emergency hospital treatment for a fractured skull and bleeding to the brain," read a statement on the club's official website.

"The decision by the FA to disconnect a violent act from its consequences runs contrary to the principles of civil and criminal law.

"It reflects badly on football that the only action which the FA has thought fit was to charge Barnsley Football Club's manager (Simon Davey) with misconduct in relation to alleged verbal abuse towards a match official whilst violent conduct has gone unpunished.

"The FA's failure to act has let Iain Hume down badly and the only option now remaining is for recourse outside of the normal football processes."
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From Paul Fletcher Blog BBC

Barnsley defender Darren Moore has been promoted to the Premier League four times in his career - twice with West Brom and once with both Bradford and Derby.

I can't think of anybody who has gone up more often to the top flight - certainly not in recent times - so when he starts talking about what it takes for a team to reach the supposed Promised Land it probably makes sense to listen.

And with this in mind, there is one undoubted buzz word that crops up time and again during a conversation with the giant defender - consistency. For example, Moore is adamant that the current Barnsley squad is as good as most of the teams he has been promoted with - but talk is cheap.

"It is about showing that consistently and doing the right things at the right time," Moore told me.

And if you think that Big Dave, as he was known at West Brom, has lost it by suggesting the Tykes, currently 14th in the Championship, are in with a shout then perhaps you should think again.

"Anything is possible in the Championship," argues Moore. "I say that because this time last year Hull were in a similar position to where Barnsley are at the moment and look where they are now."

Moore believes that his point applies to most clubs in the Championship - a third of the season might have come and gone but very few sides are totally out of the running. Barnsley, for example, might be nestled in mid-table but prior to Tuesday evening's round of fixtures they were only four points off the play-off zone. Teams that guard against thinking too far ahead, put a run of form together and feed off the self-belief that good results generate are in with a chance.

Barnsley lost five of their opening six Championship fixtures and twice propped up the table.

Rumours started to circulate about the future of manager Simon Davey.

But Moore, who joined Barnsley from Derby in the summer, has seen it all before and impressed on his team-mates that there was no need to panic. He told them that it often takes 10 games or so for the new signings to slot in to the team and adjust to the style of play that the manager wants both home and away.

That period has passed now and Barnsley are on a run of form that has seen them win three and draw one of their last five games. Moore is now looking for the team to see how many points they can pick up before the busy Christmas period.

If Barnsley are still in good shape he will then impress upon his team-mates how important it is for them to hold their form - that word consistency might crop up again - until Easter. By that stage the season has reached the run-in and it is all about holding your nerve until the finish line.

But in a division where fortunes rise and fall so spectacularly how does a manager ensure his team are playing to their potential?

"All of the managers I have been promoted with have been different and there is no single right way," Moore told me. "But one thing that was evident was the discipline side of things in terms of every player knowing their jobs within the team."

Paul Jewell (Bradford 1999), Gary Megson (West Brom 2002 and 2004) and Billy Davies (Derby County 2007) are the men that have managed Moore to promotion. And the Birmingham-born defender reckons that only second time around at the Baggies was he a part of a team that had actually been expected to go up.

Moore thinks his current manager is every bit as good as those he has worked with in the past. Davey, in charge at Oakwell since November 2006, has impressed Moore with his enthusiasm, focus and methods.

The defender points to a training session they use at Barnsley as a good example of Davey's methods. It starts as a keep-ball routine with two-to-three players on each team. This then builds to five or six per side and ends in an eight versus eight game, often followed by Davey working through a phase of play. Moore likes the progression, the way a simple idea is expanded until it involves working on something that will be taken into a real game.

Moore comes across in conversation as someone who loves being a professional footballer, maintaining that he is living a dream that he has had ever since watching Cyril Regis, Laurie Cunningham and Brendon Batson play for West Brom in the late 1970s.

Yet there is no ego involved in what Moore has achieved as a footballer. Moore, a devout Christian, spends a large amount of his spare time working with those less fortunate than himself. His charity Faith and Football runs mini-leagues in inner cities and poor suburbs. When I spoke to Moore he was driving down to Birmingham so he could attend a night of matches. "It uses football as a vehicle to get kids from different schools and areas together and build relationships," he said.

Every year he undertakes a major fund-raising event to raise money for his charity. In 2005 he walked along the Great Wall of China along with Linvoy Primus, another player heavily involved in Faith and Football. Moore has also been to India, Egypt and Mexico and undertaken a charity bike ride. In February he will sit down and work out what he will do next summer.

In addition to playing for Barnsley and his charity work, Moore is also on the Board of Professional Footballers' Association Members and a committed family man. It makes me wonder how he manages to squeeze so much into one day and Moore himself admits it is "pretty full on".

Yet Davey recently described him as the most focused player he has worked with. And when it comes to working your way up the Championship table there can be few better players to have on your side than a man looking for his fifth promotion.
Iain Hume has been readmitted to hospital following complications.

The Canada international, 25, suffered the horrific injury after being caught by the elbow of Chris Morgan, the Sheffield United captain, in a Coca-Cola Championship match at Oakwell on November 8.

Hume was rushed to hospital for an emergency operation and spent several days in a high dependency unit at the Salford Royal Hope Hospital, before being allowed home eight days ago.

Only last week Hume, who was expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the season, had said that he was feeling much better and on the road to recovery.

But Barnsley owner Patrick Cryne told The Sun: “Iain complained of feeling unwell and started vomiting. His family sought medical advice and decided the best course of action was for Iain to go back into hospital as a precaution.”
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Barnsley survived a late fightback to beat high-flying Burnley.

Jonathan Macken got the Reds off to the perfect start when he raced on to Robert Kozluk's pass to slot home (18) before Jamal Campbell-Ryce's shot was deflected in by Simon Whaley (48).

Diego Leon then converted Campbell- Ryce's pull-back (51) but Martin Paterson grabbed a quickfire double (69, 73) to set up a tense finish.
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Sean St Ledger produced a moment of magic to shatter Barnsley and ensure Alan Irvine's one-year anniversary in charge at Preston was a victorious one.

Irvine saw his side snatch all three points in the Coca-Cola Championship clash two minutes from time as St Ledger marched up the centre of midfield before unleashing an unstoppable drive into the top corner.

The sucker punch was harsh on Barnsley who had cancelled out Richard Chaplow's opener in the first half when Jamal Campbell-Ryce drilled in a shot from the edge of the area.

"I think we deserved a lot more than what we got," said Barnsley manager Simon Davey. "We have been done by a deflected goal and possibly a dubious goal in the first half, which I think was a free-kick.

"The players wore the shirt with pride. I am disappointed for them.

"But we are on the way up. You can see the way we played that we are improving week on week.

"There's a long way to go in this season but if we continue to play like that we will win more than we lose.

"I didn't see the second Preston goal coming. You don't expect a centre-back to come and get a deflected goal near the end."

Preston were unchanged from the side that beat Blackpool 3-1 last Sunday.

Miguel Mostto was handed his first start of the season for Barnsley after he came off the bench to score in the 2-1 win over Watford last weekend, while Darren Moore was replaced by Bobby Hassell in defence.

The visitors, who came into the match having taken 13 points from the last 18, started promisingly with Campbell-Ryce looking to make early inroads down the left wing.

But it was Billy Jones who almost created the first chance of the match for Preston, when, after a mazy run down the right he misplaced a cross, as the unmarked Chris Brown waited in the centre.

Diego Leon, who netted in the corresponding fixture last season, looked to orchestrate play from the centre of midfield and he found former Preston favourite Jon Macken on the edge of the area but his turn and shot was saved by goalkeeper Andy Lonergan.

Neil Mellor tested Heinz Muller in the 18th minute, when his 20-yard shot was nervously fumbled by the Tykes stopper.

Three minutes later North End took the lead thanks to persistent chasing from Mellor.

As Hugo Colace looked to shepherd the ball out of play the former Liverpool striker hustled the Argentinian to keep the ball in play before pulling it back to Chaplow for an easy close-range tap in.

But Barnsley were level 12 minutes later when Campbell-Ryce drilled a shot into the bottom corner after he was gifted too much time and space on the edge of the area.

The second half began much the same as the first with Preston doing more of the pressing and Chaplow will feel he should have done better with a shot which was saved by Muller.

Barnsley, however, looked ever dangerous at the other end with Campbell-Ryce at the heart of their good work.

And the Jamaican, playing a free role in midfield, almost gave Barnsley the lead with a shot which was turned onto the post by Lonergan.

Mostto should have done better with a shot from inside the area, while the lively Mellor forced Muller into a good save moments later.

Chris Sedgwick was next to be denied by the visitors as his sweetly struck volley was cleared off the line by Rob Kozluk.

Just as the game looked to be heading for a draw St Ledger was given an invitation to stride forward before smashing the ball past Muller.
Barnsley forward Iain Hume has left hospital after undergoing surgery.

Hume had his skull fractured by an elbow from Sheffield United's Chris Morgan during the south Yorkshire derby on November 8.

Hume, who required emergency surgery and also suffered internal bleeding, is not expected to play again this season.

The Canadian international showed off his wounds in a television interview today.



The 25-year-old told Sky Sports News: 'I'm not too bad. I am home and I get to spend time with my family, so it is just good to be out of hospital and to be on the path to getting fit again.

'It is a serious injury but I am well and on the road to recovery. I look forward to getting back.'

Hume has to return to hospital for a reassessment in eight weeks' time.
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Preston North End boss Alan Irvine is all too aware of the threat posed by Saturday's opposition Barnsley ahead of the tie at Deepdale.
The Scot, exactly a year into his reign in charge of the Lilywhites, spoke of how the clash with the Yorkshire side is not just a potential 'banana skin'.

He said: "In the form guide, Barnsley are actually third in the Championship, only behind Wolves and Reading."

The Tykes have taken 13 points from a possible 18 and will be looking to build on a solid run of results ahead of the trip to Lancashire.

Irvine added: "Barnsley actually have the same amount of points from the last six games as Reading.

"They're going very well but I dont think people recognise that because of where they are in the table.

"They're in very good form and in its own right, it's a very tough game for us. They're a good side, playing some good football."
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Barnsley striker Iain Hume has told BBC Radio Sheffield that he wants to continue playing football as he recovers from a fractured skull.

The Canada international needed emergency surgery following a clash with Sheffield United's Chris Morgan on 8 November.

Speaking for the first time since the incident Hume said: "I'm happy that I am out of hospital and I will be back.

"Nothing will stop me from playing, it's my life," he added.

Hume recalled the moment he was rushed to hospital: "I had a CT scan and fortunately for me they spotted the bleed quickly and got me sorted out.

"It's upsetting to know that it was life threatening but the surgeons did a terrific job and I'm so grateful for what they have done for me."

Hume has received messages of goodwill from thousands of fans and Chelsea keeper Petr Cech has offered his support after suffering a similar injury.
"Petr knows what it's like to have a serious head injury so it was nice for him to wish me well.

"He's the best keeper in the world and managed to carry on playing even if he has had to do it wearing protective headgear. If I have to do the same then I'll do it," Hume added.

Hume hopes to return to Oakwell early next month when he plans to watch the team play Reading.
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BARNSLEY manager Simon Davey will be hoping that Jamal Campbell-Ryce reports back fit and well – and in good time for tomorrow’s game at Preston – after playing for Jamaica in Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier against Canada in front of 38,000 fans in Kingston’s National Stadium.

Campbell-Ryce jetted out to the Caribbean earlier this week, and has a long flight back to England, after representing the Reggae Boyz in a vital qualifying game. Campbell-Ryce again played well as Jamaica cruised to a 3-0 success, but it was not enough to qualify for the next stage. They were pipped on goal difference by second-in-the-table Mexico, who lost 1-0 to group winners Honduras on the same night.

The Reds ace would have been on the opposite side to fellow Oakwell man Iain Hume in the international. Hume would have been included in the Canadian squad but is now facing a long road back from serious injury.