Some Barnsley FC related stories at the start of another big week.
REDS TRAIN WITH INTERIM STAFF WITH HEAD COACH SEARCH ONGOING
Barnsley players are training under the interim coaching staff at Oakwell again today while the search for a new head coach continues in the background.
The Reds reached the League One play-offs at the weekend, drawing 1-1 at home to Northampton Town under caretaker Martin Devaney following last week’s sacking of Neill Collins.
They host Bolton Wanderers on Friday evening in the semi-final then visit them the following Tuesday, with a place in the Wembley final on May 18 up for grabs.
Barnsley are actively looking for a new head coach and hope to make progress in the coming days.
But it is still unclear when a new man could be appointed and, if it is this week, whether he will take charge of the team on Friday having had very little time to train with them.
Austrian Dominik Thalhammer was heavily linked with the job last week but the Chronicle understands there are other candidates in the mix.
MK Dons boss Mike Williamson has also been linked with the role and is one of the bookmakers’ favourites alongside Leyton Orient boss Richie Wellens.
No announcement is thought to be likely today.
PHILLIPS PLAYER OF YEAR
Adam Phillips has won Barnsley’s Player of the Season award, as voted for by fans.
The midfielder scored 11 goals and added six assists during his second campaign for the club.
Goalkeeper Liam Roberts was voted Players’ Player of the season by his team-mates.
John McAtee’s long-range lob at Port Vale was Goal of the Season.
Aiden Marsh was named Young Player of the Season while Oliver Wilkinson Academy Player of the Season.
The Women's Player of the Year is Ashleigh Ridsdell-Harrison.
SEVENTH STRAIGHT WIN FOR WOMEN
Barnsley FC women secured a seventh successive win which keeps them in a strong position in the North East Premier title race.
The Reds won 3-1 at Alnwick on Sunday. Victoria Chincharo, Kirstie Nicholls and Jodie Gregory scored.
They remain level on points with leaders Spennymoor who have a better goal difference but have played two extra game.
Barnsley have three games to play starting at third-placed South Shields on Sunday.
UNDER 18S OUT OF TOP TWO AFTER LOSS
Barnsley under 18s lost 2-0 at Swansea City on Saturday and slipped out of the play-off places.
They are two points behind second-placed Sheffield Wednesday but have two games in hand.
They are due to visit Burnley on Tuesday, the first of four remaining games.
Barnsley under 21s are due to host Hull City from 1pm on Friday.
LOANEE LOFTHOUSE ALSO IN PLAY-OFFS
Barnsley loanee Kyran Lofthouse is set to compete in the League Two play-offs with MK Dons.
The right wing-back has been a regular starter for MK who finished fourth and will face Crawley Town in the play-off semi-finals.
Conor McCarthy started Swindon Town’s 3-3 home draw with Morecambe. The Irish defender, who has a year left on his Reds contract, moved in January and made 18 appearances for Swindon who finished 19th in League Two.
Jack Shepherd came off the bench late on for Cheltenham as they were relegated from League One with a final day 2-1 loss at Stevenage, who scored a last-minute winner when the Robins needed to score to stay up. Shepherd started eight games for Cheltenham and came off the bench in four others.
