Barnsley make Heckingbottom permanent head coach
After one of the club's most memorable seasons, Barnsley have appointed Paul Heckingbottom as head coach on a permanent basis.
The former Barnsley player and development coach has put pen to paper on a 12-month rolling contract following a hugely successful spell as caretaker boss last season.
Heckingbottom took over in February after Lee Johnson left to become manager at Bristol City, and the 38-year-old went on to win the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Wembley before clinching promotion back to the Championship through the play-offs.
He told the club's official website: "At the end of an unforgettable few months I am absolutely delighted to have signed as head coach for Barnsley Football Club.
Only during the celebrations after achieving promotion, did it begin to sink in exactly what the players had achieved. They are a terrific group of lads and is important that we carry the momentum into the coming season.
We have a clear vision of how we want to continue to improve the football club and the board have already demonstrated to me their commitment to achieve this.
It is this united front between everyone who loves the football club that is one of our strengths and one of the reasons why I am so excited for the season ahead.
Marc is from Barnsley fanzine West Stand Bogs, and gave Hallam is reaction: "It's what everybody wanted to hear. You can never be sure until it's actually signed and sealed.
"He's Barnsley born and bred, he's been there as a player, he's seen promotion as a player... he's one of our own.
"Obviously he knows what he's doing. I think the club are serious about how they're going to invest in the squad this season.
"I don't think he would've signed if he'd not been confident that we weren't moving in the right direction.
"So it bodes well. But it's a different kettle of fish when you look at the teams in the Championship."
Meanwhile, defenders George Smith and George Williams have left Oakwell after the club decided against offering them new contracts.