TOM HARBAN’S career has seen him coach college students and children from deprived areas but now he is working with senior professional footballers every day for the first time.

The 39-year-old came through the youth system at hometown club Barnsley but left without playing a first team game then began coaching in his early 20s, alongside several seasons playing for local club Athersley Rec.

He has been working in the Reds academy system for 13 years at various levels, most recently as under 21s coach before being promoted this summer to head coach Conor Hourihane’s first team staff.

Harban told the Chronicle: “When I made the decision to come away from full-time football, I got a degree and worked a few part-time jobs.

“I have done all sorts.

“I helped start Barnsley College’s football programme, I did youth work in schools in deprived areas – getting kids active and playing football.

“It’s working with different types of people and understanding how people learn and develop which has put me in good stead now.

“I started coaching from about 21 or 22. I am 39 now so it’s a long time.

“I have been at the club for 13 years.

“I like to think I’ve done a lot of time on the grass.

“I have failed and learned from that.

“I have been around different first team managers in the club – Paul Heckingbottom, Valerien (Ismael), (Daniel) Stendel, (Gerhard) Struber.

“I have taken what I wanted out of all of them and can hopefully have a good impact now.”

Harban believes his experience of coaching for nearly two decades will add a good balance to the new-look coaching set-up at Oakwell with Hourihane and his assistant Richard Keogh having had long playing careers but they only started coaching last season.

“I have done my time in the system, coming through the age groups which benefits me coming up to first team level.

“Ultimately you are working with people.

“I like to think I offer that kind of role in our coaching set-up.

“I’ve been coaching a long time and I know how to handle players.

“I have a good relationship with the young players coming through.

“I am loving it.

“Conor has obviously put his faith in me.

“I think we’ve gelled really well with Rich as well.

“We’re working together and trying to implement Conor’s style of play on the team.”

Harban and Hourihane gelled when the latter was coming in to work with the under 15s on evenings during the 2023/24 season while still a Derby County player.

The Irishman then chose Harban to work alongside him when he was made first team head coach last season.

“Conor came in on a voluntary basis just to get on the grass.

“He made an effort to speak to the coaches in the academy set-up.

“He’s a sponge who wants to learn and develop.

“If I can help him, I will be more than happy to do so.”

Harban is from Barnsley and came through the academy with Scott Flinders, the goalkeeper coach who has returned to the club this summer.

“I think it’s important.

“Barnsley has always been rooted within the community.

“I came through here, so did Scott Flinders, Ryan Laight and Nicky Eaden are in the academy.

“So we have a real core of staff who know the town and what people want to see in terms of work ethic and desire to win games of football.”