Part 2 of our question and answer session with Barnsley FC Director Don Rowing is published below.

Don, our board of directors is made up of just you and Barry Taylor. Do you think that two people is enough for a club the size of Barnsley in the English second division? Do you think there are any advantages of having only two directors over having three or four or even more and do you concede that more directors would bring with them any advantages?

 Barnsley is not a big club in relation to many of those in the Championship, in terms of budget. It is more a successfully run family business. We run a very tight ship in order to compete in a professional way and to keep season ticket prices down to an acceptable level whilst at the same time endeavouring to ensure continuity of football in the town. We have had no requests from other parties to join the Board and anyone doing so would have to bring more to the table in terms of demonstrating that they have been more successful and have the resources necessary. It would obviously be pointless to bring in someone with either less experience or the resources necessary to run the Club more successfully. It is interesting to note that many clubs in the Championship have four Directors and there are, Hull City and Nottingham Forest have three with a couple of clubs just having one, plus the Company Secretary.

I'd like to know who deals with contract negotiations with players and their agents?

The manager (Mark Robins) deals initially with these, he identifies the players, makes contact with relevant parties and looks towards a package, that is then taken to the Board of Directors for approval.  Barnsley will not be held to ransom by players or their agents, and an example was given and those present concurred with Dons analysis that they would not sign that Player.

The recent transfer window saw the premier league spend over £215 million on transfers, with two players moving for a combined fee of £85 million. Do you think this can be justified in the current economic climate?

The recent transfer activity by the premier league cannot be justified but is also immoral.  If the premier league is not careful it could implode and clubs could go to the wall. No footballer is worth £50 million, there is only one person who is worth £50 million and that is the Doctor who saves your life. The wages are obscene; no one should be on a salary of 200,000 per week. Barnsley FC will never put its future in jeopardy by doing what these clubs have done.

Is the football club breaking even, what attendances would we require based on the different categories to break even or make a profit?

Barnsley is a well run club, the Club could break even if it chose to do so.  For the club to break even on attendances they would need to double the gates at current prices or double ticket prices, both are not realistic options at the moment.

Do you think the members only preedys bar has been a successful business venture?

Preedy’s has been a success, it was never intended to be known as a bar, but more of a meeting place.  The venue has met expectations, and will continue as an over 18’s members venue.  There are no plans in place at the moment for a supporters club / bar or venue where families could go (there is no money available), however, if the Supporters Trust would like to organize a fund raising drive to get a venue, the club would offer support.  However, on non match days such a club / pub is unlikely to be profitable in the current climate. 

What is the status regarding the club shop and the supplier of the football shirts and merchandise.  This year it has been difficult to obtain football strips at certain times.  How is this being addressed?

Barnsley has been badly let down by Lotto and their UK agent, as have several other clubs regarding the football strips.  Crawley for example cannot get replica strips ahead of their game against Manchester United and are not therefore maximizing a potential revenue stream. Don has worked to resolve the problems, but from next season there will be a new well known high street brand kit supplier.  Details will be announced in the next few weeks.

The Facebook campaign to help design t-shirts etc based on what people want seems to attract many hits.  Will this continue and would the club describe it as a big success?

This has been a success and has led to the shortlisting at the football league awards.  Mark Stokes explained the back ground behind the campaign, and that it was supporter led, also that nearly all the items designed and produced sold out

The East Stand lift. Why can't older people use it? My dad who is in his 70's can make the steps up to the top of the East Stand but has difficulty. Others elderly folks have difficulty too. Lift appears to be there for access to cooperate area (generally seen in use by younger folk who can use stairs easily), but why can't we give access to some of the older users?

The lift was designed to serve the executive floor.  Various discussions have taken place on this, but due to potential evacuation procedures it is not feasible to allow people who sit in the East Stand Upper to use the lift.  The fire regulations would not allow the lift to be used in the event of a fire.

Don, every year we hear rumours that the West Stand about a new West Stand?

There are no plans to re-build the West Stand. To build a new West Stand would cost in the region of 8-10million, money the club simply does not have

Are there any plans to replace the score board?

This is currently being investigated by the club, we acknowledge that the current board is past its best

Can anything be done with the match day music and noise Levels?

The football club will look at the choice of music and noise levels on match days and ensure it is returned to a normal level. 

Would you consider walking round the pitch before kick off occasionally and meet supporters?

Yes, I would have no problem with this.

Don, for the last match of the season would you join the tykettes on the pitch (in full cheerleader uniform) for charity?

No, we are trying to encourage supporters down to Oakwell, not scare them away.  However, I always believe that we should support charities.

Again a big thank you to Don for attending the meeting and taking questions for over 90 minutes, and allowing the Trust to publish some of the questions and answers from the meeting.

Following this part of the meeting, the supporters Trust held a quick meeting, where Alan Bloore updated the members on the latest activities of the football supporter’s federation (FSF) more of which can be found on their website at www.fsf.org.uk

Our next meeting will be in early March, and we plan to invite some Barnsley legends to our meeting. Please keep an eye on the website for more details.