Following the conclusion of the 2023/2024 season, Barnsley FC and Barnsley FC Community Trust have submitted player community engagement figures to the EFL and PFA and we are pleased to report our results.

Both Barnsley FC and Barnsley FC Community Trust helped deliver over 100 player appearances across our Men’s and Women’s First Team, Academy and Alumni during last season, up 300% from 22/23, engaging people of all ages within our borough.

This integral work included the launch of Sky Bet’s ‘Building Foundations Fund’, hosted at Oakwell in conjunction with the EFL. Sam Cosgrove and Matty Wolfe met delegates from both parties whilst engaging with our walking football participants in our indoor facility.

Furthermore, we also played host to the launch of the EFL Utilita Girls Cup launch back in October, with former England international Izzy Christiansen and former Premier League strikers Glenn Murray and Clinton Morrison visiting Oakwell to kickstart the initiative. Barnsley FC coaching staff and players showed their support for the launch and reflected on how such opportunities developed their careers.

‘Show Racism the Red Card’ held an event within the Copier Systems Legends Suite in September which saw Barnsley FC Women captain Charley Evans, Barnsley FC defender Barry Cotter and former striker Kayode Odejayi talk candidly about racial discrimination within the game from different perspectives.

Local institutions within the town received the full backing of both the Football Club and Trust, including Fostering Barnsley, Barnsley Foodbank and Barnsley Council. Whilst also receiving players as part of the activation, both organisations were supported on matchday at Oakwell to use the power of Barnsley FC to help the community.

Barnsley FC Community Trust outreach was also supported by Reds players, with 18 visits taking place across our Half-Term Soccer Camps during the school holidays. Moreover, schemes such as Short Breaks, Sporting Memories, Inclusive Reds and Reminiscent Reds all were visited by the coaching staff and players throughout the campaign.

Kieron Campbell, Head of Foundation at Barnsley FC Community Trust, said: “The support from the club regarding player appearances this season has been great. We have seen first team, alumni, academy, and women’s players and staff attend a range of session across all aspects of the organisation.

“We work hard to maintain a close relationship with the club, and player appearances are invaluable in helping us provide memorable moments within our programmes across the borough. We hope to continue and build on this for next season and thank the club for their ongoing support.”

Jon Flatman, Barnsley FC Chief Executive Officer, added: “Since I was appointed in my current role back in February, one of my key priorities was to support the important work of our Community Trust. Therefore, I am pleased that these statistics show that the relationship between the Club and Trust has strengthened, and it will continue to do so as we head into the 24/25 campaign.

“Thank you to all the players and staff across our teams and to the hard-working staff within the Community Trust who help deliver impactful programmes across the town.”

Barnsley FC Community Trust are looking to recruit a Youth Engagement Officer and a NCS Officer to work full-time at our charitable arm.For more information, please see the application packs by clicking the link below.

www.barnsleyfccommunity.co.uk/about/vacancies