BARNSLEY Football Club have paid tribute to former player and promotion winner John Bettany after he died aged 81.
The midfielder, born in Rotherham, played 222 games for the Reds and netted 27 goals over a five-year period.
He started his professional career at 23 when he signed for Huddersfield Town, making 59 appearances before signing for Barnsley in 1965.
Reds boss Johnny Steele paid £4,000 for the wing-half before his debut the following day against Watford.
A statement posted on the club website said: “An incisive passer of the ball, busy and inventive, he was a key player in midfield as the Reds earned promotion from Division Four in 1968.
“Barnsley FC have been in contact with the family of John and have passed on our condolences at this difficult time.”
Show your support…
Since 1858, we have been the voice of Barnsley. We believe everyone should have access to the news regardless of their ability to afford it so we made the decision to keep our reporting free online.
With your support, our journalists can continue to do this - journalists like Jack. "I'm Jack, a reporter at the Barnsley Chronicle - It’s important to me to write about what really matters to the people of our community, every day is different and I’ve met and spoken to so many amazing individuals."@jacktolson
You can support independent local journalism in Barnsley for the same price as a coffee - it only takes a minute.