Linton Brown has returned to Barnsley as 'head of commercial' and says the Reds' huge improvement in form – as well as their recruitment strategy – are attracting potential sponsors from across the country.

The 48-year-old former Hull City and Swansea City striker left Oakwell in January following almost two years at the club to join an agency in London but has returned just three months later after being offered a wider role by Reds chief executive Ben Mansford and owner Patrick Cryne. In his time away from the club, Barnsley have gone from a relegation battle to a promotion push, which he says presents a great opportunity.

"The exposure that the club has been getting nationally with the Johnstone's Paint Trophy win and the run into the top six certainly helps to attract businesses to get involved," said Brown.

"It's opened a lot of doors for us and we're getting enquiries nationally as well as regionally. There is also interest in us because we have a clear identity and people like what we're trying to do. It speaks volumes about what Patrick and the board are trying to achieve by having a specific strategy to recruit players of a certain age then enhance and improve them.

"If we were to get promoted, and there is still a long way to go on that front, I am confident we will be ready to take advantage of the extra opportunities the Championship would present for us.  We've made massive strides commercially in the last couple of years and we are now a viable prospect for businesses to get involved with."

In his first spell at the club, Brown arranged sponsorship deals for the kit as well as the Oakwell stands which he is now hoping to extend. He says season ticket sales are another huge commercial factor for the club and, with the 'early bird' cheapest price deadline today, the ticket office is open until 8pm and tickets can be purchased online until midnight.

"The numbers of season ticket sales are similar to last year at the moment. Not only is it the fourth consecutive year that the prices have been frozen but, if anyone renews in this early bird window, the prices will also freeze for the 2017/18 season.  That's a massive opportunity for fans to have two seasons, hopefully in the Championship, without a price increase."

Brown is delighted to be back in Barnsley, where he now feels at home despite being from across Yorkshire in Hull. The former Hull City commercial manager said: "It was with a heavy heart when I left so, when I was offered the chance to come back, it was an easy decision. I am very much a Barnsley fan now and Barnsley people say it like it is, which is what I do as well. I am really excited to be back and I just want to move the club forward."

Brown says a change of the stadium name to a sponsor's name is not on the agenda. He said: "It hasn't been discussed since I have been back. Oakwell is synonymous with Barnsley FC. "I can't say it will never happen, but it's not a focus at this moment in time."