Hume Recall Upsets Ferguson

In a sensational turn of events, Mark Robins has recalled Canadian forward Iain Hume from his loan spell at Preston North End.

Hume had been sent out on loan to Deepdale until January by Barnsley, with the view to a permanent transfer in the new year, but on Saturday evening, news emerged that the forward would be returning to Oakwell.

Barnsley have not officially announced the recall, but the news was broken instead by a furious Darren Ferguson in his post match interview after the Lilywhites’ 4-3 home win over Crystal Palace.

Speaking to Preston’s official site, Ferguson fumed: ‘I have not been happy with the way Barnsley have conducted themselves at all.’ Apparently, Preston attempted to strike a deal to sign Hume on a permanent basis this week and Barnsley responded by asking for a swap deal. The name on everyone’s lips for some time has been Jon Parkin, although this has not been confirmed.

Ferguson continued: ‘The chairman tried to sign him this week and tried to agree a fee, but they then mentioned one of our players going the other way in a straight swap and we agreed to that, but they pulled the rug on it on Friday. This was after I had told the player involved in the swap he could go. That then meant not only did they upset one player, but then last night they rang Iain and told him they wanted to take him back, so they have upset two of my players!’

Apparently, Hume is upset as he is enjoying life at Preston North End, where he is playing games: ‘Iain doesn’t want to go back, but if they are adamant, he is contracted to Barnsley and there is nothing we can do, which is a massive disappointment.’

In the meantime, Hume looks set to be included in Saturday’s squad for the home game with Hull City, which will be covered by Sky Television, merely a week after picking up the sponsor’s Man of the Match award for his performance in Preston’s latest victory.

I’m not entirely sure how to take this news. It seemed to me that Robins was ready to offload Hume as soon as possible. The only reason I can think of for recalling Hume and scuppering his chance to reap any kind of fee for him, is that Robins is so lacking in ideas to improve the club’s results that he sees Hume as his only remaining option.

A lot will rest on Saturday’s game against Hull City. I’m sure Darren Ferguson will pay particular interest to the Barnsley line up too.