THOUGH a relatively small town, Barnsley has always provided more than its fair share of professional footballers up and down the pyramid.
But what is the current state of play?
Jack Tolson investigates and profiles the Barnsley boys playing across England’s top four divisions…
John Stones, Manchester City
Undoubtedly Barnsley Academy’s biggest success story of the 21st century, Stones started out his career at Penistone Church before signing a professional contract at Oakwell in 2011.
Thurlstone’s Stones left for Everton in 2013 before making a big-money move to giants Manchester City in 2016.
He has won 16 trophies during his time at City – including six Premier League medals – and has reached the final of the Euros on two occasions with England.
Danny Rose, Barrow
Former Holgate pupil Rose signed his first professional contract with Barnsley in 2011 and looked to be one of the Oakwell club’s best young talents but, after playing 17 times in the league and scoring one goal, he left for Bury in 2014.
He has excelled in lower league football scoring 99 goals – mainly in League Two – and after stints at Mansfield, Northampton, Stevenage and Grimsby he is now with Barrow.
The 32-year-old is a fine example of how to make a good career in football, even without playing in the top two divisions all that often.
Jordan Clark, Luton Town
The 32-year-old played for Hoyland Common Falcons as a junior before joining up with Barnsley at the age of seven.
He only played seven times for the Reds but his career away from Oakwell has certainly been a successful one.
He’s played more than 420 times in the top four divisions – including a stint in the Premier League with his current side Luton.
Clarke scored in normal time in in the play-off final against Coventry and converted his penalty in the shoot-out.
Aiden Marsh, Harrogate Town
Monk Bretton’s Marsh started his career at Barnsley before moving to Sheffield United at the age of eight where he played as a left-back.
He returned to the Oakwell academy in 2014 and went onto play 36 times in all competitions with the Reds.
After loan stints at Scunthorpe, York and Raith Rovers, Marsh joined Truro in the summer but earned his place back in the football league with Harrogate in January.
He is currently out injured after scoring once in four appearances in the fourth tier.
Louis Reed, Mansfield Town
The combative midfielder is another from Penistone Church but came through the ranks at Sheffield United where he made almost 60 appearances in all competitions.
The 28-year-old now plays for Mansfield and is one of the Stags’ star players, scoring three times this season including against Barnsley on Boxing Day.
He hit the headlines earlier this season by scoring a fantastic free-kick to knock Burnley out of the FA Cup, after former Oakwell academy graduate Rhys Oates had levelled the scores.
Marc Roberts, Barnsley FC
Currently plying his trade at Oakwell, the veteran defender played at Barnsley College and Penistone Church before making his way through non-league and signing for his hometown club Barnsley in 2015.
He played 84 times for the Reds before joining Birmingham City in 2017 and featuring in 197 games.
He rejoined Barnsley last season and has two trophies to his name – the Johnstone’s Paint in 2016 and the League One play-offs later that season.
Matty Jacob, Hull City
The 24-year-old full-back is from Cudworth but left the village when he was just four years old.
Having been on loan at Pickering, Gateshead and Reading, Jacob established himself at Hull City where he started his career.
He has played more than 40 times in the EFL but has not featured in a matchday squad since early February.
Jarvis Thornton, Sheffield Wednesday
The 20-year-old midfielder has been thrown into a tough situation with The Owls this season but has come through with a lot of credit.
A combative player, Thornton, formerly of Hoyland Town Magpies, has impressed in Wednesday’s doomed season following their entry into administration and exodus of senior players.
The ex-Kirk Balk man has played 23 times for Wednesday including in their League Cup win over Leeds United in August.
Rogan Ravenhill, Barnsley FC
The 20-year-old has been in the academy of his hometown club since he was seven but started his journey at Wombwell Juniors.
He recently signed a contract with the Reds to keep him at the club until 2029 but is yet to start for the club.
He is currently on loan at National League North club Macclesfield, having previously played for Leamington at the same level.
Fellow Kirk Balk pupil Ben Hatton is a rookie professional at Rotherham United.
Tom Wooster, West Ham United
The former Horizon School pupil was named the Reds’ Academy Player of the Year before moving to giants Manchester United.
While with the Red Devils he played on loan at Farsley, Macclesfield and Ramsbottom before signing for West Ham earlier this season.
He has played in the EFL Trophy and National League Cup this campaign, as well as in the International Cup against Borussia Dortmund.
Jacob Devaney, Manchester United
The son of former Barnsley player and coach Martin, Jacob’s career has largely been at Manchester United.
The Barnsley-born midfielder was the captain of the u21s side and played the full 90 minutes in a 5-2 loss against Barnsley at Oakwell in the EFL Trophy earlier this season.
Highly-thought of at United, he is currently on loan at St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership.
Jack Bray, West Bromwich Albion
The 19-year-old striker from Darton started playing at North Gawber FC from the age of four before signing for the Reds aged eight.
He was released at 16 and then spent two years at Harrogate Town in their under 18s before moving to Championship side West Brom last summer.
Bray scored twice against Juventus in the Premier League International Cup earlier this season.
