Barnsley FC Ladies have joined the men’s team in enjoying a glorious end to the season and their owner believes the two genders are working closer together than ever at Oakwell.
The Reds beat Huddersfield Town 4-1 on penalties following a 3-3 draw at Rotherham United’s New York Stadium in the final of the women’s Sheffield Senior Cup on Sunday. James and Jean Cryne, the son and wife of former Barnsley FC owner Patrick Cryne, were both at the Ladies’ final.
Owner and CEO Steve Maddock is aiming to take the women’s team from the fourth tier into the Super League within five years. He said: “Let’s put Barnsley on the map. I want to work with the men’s team and piggyback on their success. I want everybody to know that there is a women’s team in Barnsley that people care about. I would like to think the men and women’s clubs are getting closer. James and Jean loved every second of it and say they will come next season as well.”
Amy Woodruff was one of the Reds’ goal-scorers in the final. She said: “I am a big Barnsley fan and I follow the men. We’ve both been a credit to the town this season and I’m very proud to be from Barnsley.”
Lucy Turner, who is captain of her hometown club, said: “It’s a good year for Barnsley FC and the town. We had a lot of fans behind us at the final and it was a good atmosphere. We’ve been invited to the men’s Player of the Year awards and we have had support from the main club on social media and in the programme. We absolutely love that and we’ve never had it before. We only hope we keep getting more and that that leads to more people going to our games.”
Barnsley won the cup in 2016 but owner Maddock says this latest win is more important as it can be the platform to lead to more promotions. He said: “This means a lot more than it ever has done. We have a group of players and staff that know we are going somewhere and this is just the start. We said we’re going to compete with the best in the land we’ve already beaten Sheffield United and Huddersfield Town. We are definitely aiming for promotion next season.”
Manager Chris Hamilton added: “We are delighted with where we are. I believe so much in this squad and I believe we can go up next season. That will be the aim and we are capable of it.
