Patrick Cryne had two families, his own and Barnsley Football Club. Patrick was a devoted and loving husband and father.
He was the boy from Wombwell who had done good, very good. He was an inspirational figure who took so many people on so many remarkable journeys.
Lee Johnson spoke to me the day his passing was announced. Lee stated that we learned so much from Patrick and it will be many years until we truly realise just how much we took from him. I, for one, owe so much to him. Anything I achieve in football will be due to the time I spent with Patrick.
He was a tough task-master but always had the best interests of the project and people involved at heart. Patrick wouldn't settle. He willed everyone around him to succeed. He achieved so much and, not only did he save his beloved Barnsley, but he also gave the club one of the greatest times of its history.
I was in the dressing room the day before the Nottingham Forest home game in the 2013/14 season when he spoke to the squad before training while holding Wilf Bartrop's 1912 FA Cup medal. His passion and love for the Club and the 'Tarn' was unrivaled and still burning strong some 60 years since his first game at Oakwell.
Patrick was the leading force behind the new pathway the club went down and the success it has recently had. He had been left frustrated by doing what was expected. He wanted a young, hungry and dynamic team that wanted to be at Barnsley and would grow to help the club achieve its aims.
Patrick led the club forward in devising a system to underpin the recruitment and to well-documented success. I do wish I had dragged him on to the pitch at Wembley that day in May and had him soaked in champagne. But he didn't court that publicity. He selflessly let others take the acclaim while he was topping up the blood sugar levels with a KFC.
It's unquantifiable how sad it is that Patrick had to face other challenges in recent years and then was presented with the ultimate fight with cancer. What is a testament to the man he was is that he fought the horrible disease with all his will to ensure that a bright future was found for his club.
Patrick is at peace now. No one can get at him and he can't hurt anymore. Patrick will forever be in the hearts of so many and especially those of his family and everyone connected with the Reds. It saddens me to know that one of the best counsels in the world, who always had the right words of guidance, isn't there anymore.
Thank you for everything, Patrick. Please keep wearing the lucky suit and cheering for your team. Rest in peace.
