From the official site GORDON SHEPHERD EXCLUSIVE!!!

 <h3 class="headline" id="headline">GORDON SHEPHERD EXCLUSIVE!!! </h3><div class="articleBody" id="articleBody"><span lang="EN-US"><p align="center"><table class="caption" cellspacing="0" width="140" align="center" border="0"><tbody><tr><td class="captionImage" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"></td></tr><tr><td class="captionText"><div class="innerCaptionText">Reds Chairman Gordon Shepherd.</div></td></tr></tbody></table></p></span>

<span lang="EN-US">REDS Chairman Gordon Shepherd writes exclusively for www.barnsleyfc.co.uk following the club's historic promotion to The Championship.</span></p>

<p class="TxBrp1"><span lang="EN-US">After the nail biting anxiety, the heart pounding excitement, the euphoria and then the sheer blessed relief of Saturday I am now coming down to Earth and looking forward to planning for our future in the Championship.</span></p>

<i /></p><p class="TxBrp1"><span lang="EN-US">However first of all let me say a huge thank you to Andy, Rick and the rest of the playing management team for achieving such a great success this season, it was well deserved in my opinion. Let me also say the same to our entire playing squad who have all stood up and been counted this year. You have made us all so very, very proud. Congratulations to each and every one of you and your glory on Saturday was a well earned reward.</span></p>

<i /></p><p class="TxBrp1"><span lang="EN-US">Could I also express my thanks to Don Rowing and all the backroom staff at the Club for their valuable contribution to the cause in what has been a quite massive year of change carried out with reduced staffing levels. Their hard work is much appreciated by all of us on the Board because without their input this Club really could not function.</span></p><p class="TxBrp1"><i /></p><p class="TxBrp1"><span lang="EN-US">Our commercial activity goes from strength to strength with increases reported throughout the business. I expect this to continue. I am aware that some people believe that our success in the play offs means that we will clear our debts but that is not so. What has been said by me is that the pay off from the play off is a reduction in losses (maybe perhaps a break even position) for this year. It will not reduce our overhanging debt which is high. Losses </span><span lang="EN-US" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">(</span><span lang="EN-US">and profits for that matter) should not be confused with existing debts.</span></p>

<i /></p><p class="TxBrp1"><span lang="EN-US">I also think that thanks should go to the Board of Directors who stuck to their guns throughout the season and refused, despite receiving a plethora of spurious and often contradictory advice, to be deflected from doing what they believed to be right. Financial stability was a prime objective as well as managerial continuity on the playing side and I think that it is fair to say that such policies have contributed to our success this year. Results have proved that the appointment of Andy as team manager was the correct decision although the Board did take some criticism at the time.</span></p><p class="TxBrp1"><i /></p><p class="TxBrp1"><span lang="EN-US">Moving on I, more than most, realise the amount of tireless work that the Directors carry out behind the scenes giving their time and expertise freely and their support to me is much appreciated.</span></p>

<i /></p><p class="TxBrp1"><span lang="EN-US">Above all could I offer, on everyone's behalf, grateful thanks to Patrick and Jean Cryne because, as I have said on numerous occasions before, without them this Club would not exist. They are private people who do not seek recognition but I can tell you that their commitment and loyalty is undiminished and total. However despite their reticence I can confirm from first hand experience that last Saturday they were as vociferous and emotional as the rest of us.</span></p>

<i /></p>

<span lang="EN-US">Finally could I offer my thanks to all our loyal fans who have waited for some years now to experience success, enjoy the moment and relish the feeling. Your support is invaluable and we are trying to repay your loyalty by keeping (in some cases reducing </span><span lang="EN-US" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">) </span><span lang="EN-US">our season ticket prices steady. We can only spend what we earn and our main revenue stream is gate money.</span></p>

<i /></p><p class="TxBrp3"><span lang="EN-US">I will be meeting Andy in the next day or so to review the playing staff for next year and to discuss our options and targets. Our objective will be to consolidate in The Championship and build from there. Financial stability and self funding will be major considerations as we attempt to ensure the continuing independent future of Barnsley Football Club.</span></p>

<i /></p><p class="TxBrp3"><span lang="EN-US">Have a lovely break from football but we have arranged two excellent and attractive pre-season friendlies at Oakwell with Wigan Althletic and Middlesborough and let us all look forward to our first home match in The Championship in August, I wonder who we will play?</span></p>

<i /></p><p class="TxBrp3"><span lang="EN-US">Enjoy the Summer and see you at our Open Day on </span><span lang="EN-US" style="FONT-SIZE: 4pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">--- </span><span lang="EN-US">July at which we will launch our new away kit.</span></p>

<i /></p><p class="TxBrp3"><span lang="EN-US">Good luck</span></p>

<i /></p><p class="TxBrp3"><span lang="EN-US">Gordon Shepherd</span></p><p class="TxBrp3"><span lang="EN-US"></span></p><p class="TxBrp3"><span lang="EN-US"> <span lang="EN-US"><font color="#ff0000">©www.barnsleyfc.co.uk 2006 RNK</font></span> </span></p></div>

 

So it's a new away kit as well eh? Not alternate seasons as was promised.

I guess it'll bring more cash in so who can blame them really.

 

agree with you in principal, BUT.....

....that blue away kit is horrid.

 

When is the open day?

....July?</p>

I hope we use the white kit away.</p>

 

Wasnt it PR who mentioned the only changing 1 kit per season, and he's

long gone