Well, if you thought things were going quiet at Oakwell this summer, think again. In the space of seven days, we’ve binned off a striker, welcomed back a familiar face, added a couple of new names, got council approval for a glorified beer garden, and been handed a fixture list that’ll have us racking up miles before the clocks go back. Buckle up, Reds—2025/26 is already looking peak Barnsley.
Humphrys Out, Finally
Stephen Humphrys has officially left the building. Nine goals in 41 appearances later, the club confirmed what most fans suspected—his chapter at Oakwell is done. He’s since joined Bradford City, which means two things: 1) He’ll probably look like Erling Haaland against us in any future fixture, and 2) he’ll still be described as “a handful on his day” for the next five years. Best of luck, Humps—genuinely.
📌 Source: Barnsley FC
Flinders Returns – This Time with a Clipboard
Scott Flinders is back at Oakwell—no gloves this time, but a whistle and some coaching cones. The veteran stopper has been appointed as our new goalkeeping coach, adding a bit of know-how and, crucially, local understanding. Let’s hope he can teach the lads when to catch, when to punch, and when to just scream convincingly at their defenders.
📌 Source: Barnsley Chronicle
Fan Park Plans Get Green Light
After years of half-baked ideas and budget beer tents, Barnsley Council has given the go-ahead for a permanent fan zone at Oakwell. It'll cater for 650 fans and be open for up to five matchdays per season. Expect warm lager, questionable sound systems, and fans arguing about formations three pints deep. Still, it’s progress—and we’ll take it.
📌 Source: BBC News
Cooper Signs – Keeper In, Panic Out?
The first signing of the summer came in the shape of goalkeeper Murphy Cooper, who joins on a season-long loan from QPR. He impressed at Stevenage last term and arrives with decent reviews. With Sormaz calling it “a great addition,” fans can now breathe slightly easier knowing we’ve at least got someone to stand between the sticks.
📌 Source: Yorkshire Post
Ogbeta Joins the Reds
Next through the door is Nathanael Ogbeta—a 24-year-old left-back arriving on loan from Plymouth Argyle. With Championship and League One experience, he’s been brought in to add pace, width, and hopefully prevent us conceding from our left flank every other week. Solid addition? Fingers crossed.
📌 Source: Barnsley Chronicle
Fixtures Are Out – Plymouth First, Stockport Last, and a Festive Trip to Mansfield
Barnsley kick off 2025/26 with a lovely 600-mile round trip to Plymouth (a) — welcome back, football. Home clashes with Burton and Bolton follow, before a proper early test with Huddersfield (h) rounding out August.
Highlights? Plenty. Bradford (a) and Doncaster (a) offer spicy away days against freshly promoted neighbours. Rotherham (h) adds more derby tension. From the relegated pack, Cardiff (h) and Luton (h) visit before Christmas — both likely to still be acting like they’re above this level.
We host Mansfield on Boxing Day, then ring in 2026 with a bleak trip to Wigan (a). The season ends at home to Stockport on 2 May — here’s hoping it’s not just another lap of honour in the drizzle.
And yes, we’ve got Fleetwood in the Carabao Cup, week commencing 11 August. What could possibly go wrong?
📌 Source: Barnsley FC
Russell Rumblings – Championship Clubs Sniffing
Jon Russell, our lanky midfield metronome, is apparently on several Championship radars—including Derby, Stoke, Blackburn and Oxford. He’s only got a year left on his deal, so you don’t need a crystal ball to predict how this story ends. We either cash in, cling on, or let him walk next summer while everyone pretends we "offered a contract."
📌 Source: Yorkshire Post
Final Whistle: The Engine’s Running, But We’re Still in Neutral
So that’s the week: one striker out, a coach in, two new faces through the door, a fan zone finally approved, and the fixture list revealed in all its brutal glory. It’s been busy, and we haven’t even got to July yet. If this is the calm before the storm, make sure you’re stocked up on paracetamol and patience—this season’s going to be a proper rollercoaster.
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