Now We Know

The Premier League season has drawn to a close and it all but fizzled out for two North East teams who could have made a go of it on the last day but failed.

Newcastle United and Middlesbrough both suffered away defeats, sending them both down to the Championship alongside already relegated West Bromwich Albion. Had either team won, one of them could have possibly stayed up at the expense of Hull City who lost at home to Champions Manchester United 1-0.

At the other end of the Championship the trap door closes just as Scunthorpe United make a return via Wembley after one season back in League One.

So that concludes the new entries to the Championship, leaving only the final exiting team to be decided on Monday between Sheffield United and Burnley.

When the new season’s fixtures are published on June 17th Barnsley fans can look forward to trips to the Hawthorns, Glanford Park and Home Park as well as visits to the Walkers Stadium, St. James’ Park and the Riverside.

Next season already looks likely to be a mouthwatering prospect with some real characters coming into the league. Alan Shearer and Gareth Southgate both have International football legacies behind them, albeit they are remembered for very different reasons, and Sir Alex Ferguson’s son Darren will make his Champiosnhip bow.

Roll on August!