David Flitcroft claims his success as Barnsley manager was down to ‘making the players feel like Championship players’ and he is now planning plenty of changes on and off the pitch this summer to help the club catch up with others in the division.

The Reds boss has criticised the way fans – and families in particular – have been treated at Oakwell in the past.He also thinks the first team have not been the most important people at the club and says it has been difficult for him to enjoy working there with the current set-up.

He now wants to ‘manage the football club not just the football team’ and will be working on a series of community schemes as well as changing the layout of the stadium and offices.

Flitcroft said: “We were successful because made the players feel like Championship players and treated them like Championship players for the first time. We implemented more strategies and spent more money on their well-being. They responded to that.

“We have got the team winning at home. That’s the first part. But it’s no good if you are winning at home but people aren’t coming to watch you.

“We’ll be working on initiatives throughout the summer to try and attract more families to watch a game of football. I have got loads of ideas to make the fans, the players and the staff feel special. I want the players come to work next season and feel that there’s a real difference to the club.

“It’s our club. We have got us to this point. Not just myself, the staff or the players. The fans as well. They bought into what we did. Now we have got to buy what they want. I want to enjoy my work but at times it has been difficult. I want to experience this with my family. But am I being allowed to do that? Are the fans getting a good experience? I’m not sure.”