John Stones' character assasination on here.

I wasn't quoting the public position. They saw him as an asset that might bring a good fee in 12-18 months, it was the player that made the decision.

As regards the gym, the branding is just crap. Maybe I've just been around for too long, but after 30 seasons Stones is nothing more than a footnote. He had 10 good games for us, there are greater things to aspire to and more important players to celebrate. And it's not really a healthy idea to start filling the kids heads with premier league fantasies before they can even wipe their own arses, that doesn't sit right with me. Flitcroft's still learning, he's not going to get everything right.

 

Nothing wrong with the lad doing well for himself but I agree with Whitey and Mr C.

 

Mr C has it absolutely spot on. Flicker has made a daft decision, but it is a sign of how well things are going that the only thing we have to moan about is the naming of the club gym!

 

Flicker has said that the club must be more progressive off the field...This is his first decision and surprise, surprise it's met with criticism and negativity...Poor bloke will soon learn to go along the same old path...

 

Precisely, the message I get from it is "Work hard, train hard, perform and you get to go somewhere else! You'd like that wouldn't you??"

I'd be much prouder of a facility named after a player that has played for the club a while and actually wants to be at the club a la Bobby.

 

"If you work hard, you can leave Barnsley"

 

You're talking *****. He wanted to go as soon as they came sniffing, didn't even give us enough time to get a replacement.

 

So, basically, you know more about the ins and outs of the transfer than the manager of the club?

 

Can't bet my breath

People moaning about naming a gym after our most successful Academy product of all time. He's a symbol for the youngsters still here that if you work hard, listen to the advice, keep your body in good shape and live a good lifestyle then the world's your oyster - what's wrong with that? You might just get a better work ethic from them. I like Bobby but why would you name a gym after him? He's not someone anyone with any ambition (key word) would aspire to is he? The very next thing opened up at Oakwell would have been named after Stones anyway by the moaners on here purely for the fact we got £3 million for him. Take the East stand which fans nicknamed the Carl Tiler stand. If the club had officially named it the Carl Tiler stand there would have been uproar. It's a bloody gym for Christ sake - not a stand, not a statue - they should be named after legends which Stones isn't but a gym is where they work out get fit and improve their shape. The club is proud of what they've done with Stones and are using his name as a carrot to go the extra mile. No offence to Bobby, he's a loyal model pro but would his picture on a wall convince a young kid from the academy just to try to work that bit harder? Doubt it in this day an age, every single one of those academy kids should be targeting the first team initially and then the Premier League, if they're targeting staying with the Barnsley for the next 10 years then I would say that was lack of ambition. This is the football world we live in these days.

 

K

Absolutely bang on nail Mr C. We should be putting up tvs replaying our premiership season and promoting what can be achieved as a team (that's what we are). We shouldn't be putting ideas in people's heads about leaving the club.

Most businesses promote the idea that employees can succeed in their company. We should be trying to keep our assets and letting them know this.

 

It wasn't named with you (or the rest of us) in mind. As has been mentioned, it is to act as a daily reminder to the trainees where hard work and application can get you. Wise move again from Flickers.

 

Re: Can't bet my breath

All time? Because he was sold for a relatively big fee? The academy is a facility and before that we had the youth structure/apprentice system in place generating many first team players. I'd argue some of the lads who progressed through this system and to the first team that achieved promotion, then played in the premier league were more successful personally and for the club.

It's a crap idea, people are just blinded by big transfer fees and premier league club names. I blame skysports.

 

Re: Can't bet my breath

Naming the 'fitness suite' after him is a bit strange given he barely had 6 months in the first team - bit like naming an airport after Chesney Hawkes because of a one-hit wonder

 

Re: Can't bet my breath

Indeed.

"most successful Academy product of all time"

Aye, oreight.

He's not the most successful of the last 12 months.


This may come across as criticising Stonesy, but seriously it isn't. I loved watching him, albeit for just a few months in a losing side. And I've no bones about whether he wanted to jump ship or whether the club wanted him to. Couldn't care less. We got £3m for him and that's fantastic.

But I'm ****** if I'm going to talk him up like the best thing since sliced bread, our best ever youth player etc. That's unfair on club legends such as Eaden and Watson. Barnsley lads that were successful, did achieve, in a tarn shirt.

I think Flitcroft has got this one wrong. Especially when I know he told the lads at the Chron "I'm naming it after a legend".

John Stones the legend? Gimme a fcukin break.

 

Stones was a very good player and I don't blame him leaving for more money. However naming something after someone who had half a good season before leaving first chance he got doesn't give a good impression to "working as a team" or "loyalty". He hasn't done anything much in football so far to warrant such an accolade. Club legends who gave so much to us over a much longer time period don't even get praised to that level.

 

Oh for ****'s sake...Does it really matter...

Seriously, listen to yourselves...What a set of moaning tossers.

 

Re: Can't bet my breath

I'd say he is unless you've another name in mind

 

Re: Can't bet my breath

Butterfield, obviously. He did more in his 5 years at the club. Did more in his last 4 months than Stones did. In my biased opinion.

But I'd be equally embarrassed if they'd named the gym after him, too.

 

Am I reading this right...we've named something after Stone? Nowt at all against the lad but all the past greats with nothing named after them

 

Personally I couldn't give a **** what they call the gym. And it's not Stonesy's fault they have named it after him so criticism of him on this matter is ridiculous.