New Deals Offered

Don Rowing has confirmed that Barnsley will offer new deals to Steele, Cranie, Cywka, Hassell, Kennedy, McNulty and Scotland.

Also Barnsley have the option of extending the contract of Kelvin Etuhu and will do so.

I would expect all to re-sign and am pleased that the club has offered them new deals.

My one worry would be that someone comes in for Cranie with an offer he can`t refuse.

Many fans think that the same could happen with Steele but I think he wants to remain at the club and feels that we will progress under Flitcroft.

As for Hassell it`s nice to see that there is still loyalty in football from both parties. He deserves his tenth year and the fact that he and the club are willing to sign on the dotted line is testament to both.

Let`s face it Hassell will play very little for the club next season if at all. Anyone who saw him at the end of last season will have to admit that his championship days are behind him. After the summer transfer business is complete then only an injury crisis will get Bobby in to the team and a much better back-up option in Foster has been let go.

So let`s look at it from both points of view. Hassell loves the club and wants to stay despite little hope of first team football. He could easily cut ties and leave and go and play for any league one club. After all he has already been offered a benefit year whether he signs a new contract or not.

Barnsley despite not having much in the way of finances are happy to pay him for another year despite knowing he will hardly kick a ball.

I don`t see many clubs and players anywhere in the country showing the loyalty of these two. Barnsley football club and Bobby Hassell are true role models for the rest of a footballing world that has lost sight of the things that really do matter.

I take my hat off to the super reds and sir Bobby.