AFTER Barnsley could only watch the play-off final weekend at Wembley from home, or on holiday, they at least now know their full line-up of opponents for the 2025/26 League One season.
In theory it is not quite as intimidating a division as last time, but the Reds must improve significantly in many areas to compete for promotion once again after languishing in 12th in the previous campaign.
There will not be a club like Birmingham City – next season or perhaps ever again – who spent more than £30million including a reported £15million on one player.
Also, the clubs coming up from League Two – although they could all compete well – are unlikely to replicate Wrexham, who made it three straight promotions, or Stockport County who finished third.
There are plenty of clubs with large fanbases, budgets and histories – with three potentially strong ones coming down from the Championship to join a host of promotion hopefuls who have not made it in recent seasons but will believe 2026 can finally be their year.
But all of their spending ability may be curbed by changes to the Salary Cap Management Protocol which will reduce the percentage of equity put in by owners that can be spent on transfer fee and wages.
It is possible for the Reds to become competitive again if they have a very good summer in the transfer market and everyone, including the fans, gets behind the Conor Hourihane revolution.
He is clearly a popular and very driven young coach, who looks to be acting more like a manager than a head coach, and there is definitely the potential for a bright future under him.
He is obviously inexperienced but will provide a much-needed freshness, positivity and ultra-professional attitude.
Hourihane has repeatedly talked about a ‘reset’ and ‘driving’ standards on and off the pitch.
There are some bare minimum changes which have to be made before Barnsley can bridge last season’s 17-point gap to the top six and improve dramatically on their lowest position in the EFL since 2003.
No club is getting in the top six with only six home wins all season, or by conceding 73 league goals, or by collapsing so consistently in the second half of games with 56 goals let in after the break.
If they can become a more organised and hard-to-beat team, win more consistently at home and play an entertaining brand of football, that will at least be a significant step forward.
Recruitment will also be a major factor as always.
The Reds clearly need strength in depth in attack, including wingers for the first time in years, some full-backs who fit a back four and generally more options in all areas.
They are also likely to move on contracted players Hourihane – who is playing a big role in recruitment – does not see as being part of his plans. They will have to manage their need to sell to balance the books this summer without crippling any chances of improving on last season.
Although it may take time to sort out all of the above, the aim will be to finish in the top six for the third time in four years.
If they do not go up this coming season, it will be the club’s longest spell outside the top two divisions since the 1970s.
There are more local fixtures to look forward to this season. The clubs coming up from League Two are a lot closer to home, including Bradford City and Doncaster Rovers.
That doubles the number of Yorkshire derbies to four, after there were none two seasons ago with the closest clubs being Lincoln City, Derby County and Bolton Wanderers.
The three clubs coming down from the Championship are all a long way from Barnsley, including the longest of them all down to Plymouth plus a journey to South Wales to play Cardiff City.
It will be another gruelling campaign but, as always, it should start with a sense of hope and excitement at Barnsley.
