BARNSLEY Football Club's chief executive Ben Mansford has released a statement on the management situation and the potential changing of the club's crest.

Having sacked David Flitcroft after the 3-0 home defeat to Birmingham City on November 30, caretaker boss Micky Mellon has overseen the club's first away win of the season at Brighton and the narrow defeat at table-topping Burnley.

Mansford said: "Nobody expected the start to the season that we've had on the back of the remarkable success David had last year.

"Coming in, I think Maurice Watkins and I felt that, along with the board and the owner, we would start off on a not dissimilar path to how we finished.

"That hasn’t happened. That’s through no lack of effort from David. David’s an incredibly passionate, energetic and committed individual who was incredibly desperate to succeed and continue to do well for Barnsley.

"We felt that it was a decision that had to be made, but it was an extremely difficult decision. I do wish David all the success that's possible at Bury.

"Our plan was always to allow Micky Mellon to be his own man. The changes to the staff have created an opportunity for him to do that.

"I’m absolutely delighted that Micky prepared the team sufficiently well enough with real expertise and experience to make sure we got a very, very good away win at Brighton.

"We always wanted Micky to have the opportunity to be his own person. He’s earned the right to do that and that's where we currently sit at the moment.

"Last year there was a very public process that occurred around who was and wasn’t going to be the next Barnsley manager.

"We want to do our business in private - in football terms it's the best way to do it. We're getting on with what we feel is right for the club.

"As and when there's clarity as to where we're going and what's going to happen, we’ll let the fans know at the earliest opportunity."

The controversial crest change proposals were next up, and Mansford said it's a close race between a new badge and retaining the current one.

He added: "We’ve got a very close race between one of the new ones and potentially staying with the existing crest.

"We will be back to the supporters in the near future.

"The message to the Barnsley fans is thank you for the support you have given this year. It’s been a testing time. We aren’t where we thought we would be and that’s a huge disappointment.

"Stick behind Micky and the side. The fans at Barnsley have been incredibly loyal and passionate. I’m sure this Saturday against Yeovil the supporters will be behind our team."

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