Top Half Finish The Target

Last updated : 24 May 2008 By Rob Miles (barnsley Boy)

Barnsley owner Patrick Cryne has called a top half finish in the Championship next season as success as the lifelong Reds fan looks for improvement.

In 2006-2007 a 20th placed finish was seen as success after being promoted from League One the previous season, whilst 18th in 2007-2008 was also acceptable to the fact the club surged towards the FA Cup Semi-Finals after disposing of Liverpool and Chelsea.

Cryne though admits a relegation struggle will not be satisfactory next term.

He told the Barnsley Chronicle:

"What we would say to Simon this time around is that our objective is to be in the top half of the table."

"If we can do that- and lets not forget for the early part of last season we were in the top 10 - then that would be seen as a good achievement. Of course we want to be in the Play-Offs. That would be a dream come true, but our reality is to press to be in the top half"

The club has seen a surge in season tickets for 2008-2009 as fans take advantage of the new reductions and buy into Cryne's thinking. In the first eight days of sales over 500 new people signed up for season tickets.

Meanwhile The "Ponty End" will have new sponsors for next season. CK Beckett will sponsor the stand.

Cryne said this showed the club's focus on bringing in more finances.

"We have been in the Championship for two seasons, yet before we struck the Pontefract Road End stand deal with CK Beckett, we were a club with no stand sponsors, no ground sponsor and according to the Football League study that was published, the lowest shirt sponsorship deal.

Barnsley have confirmed the date for the club's annual Open Day, in anticipation for the 2008-2009n Coca-Cola Championship season. The day will commence on Sunday 27th July 2008.