I HOPE this finds the readers well and excited for the new football season ahead.
This column will hopefully be the start of a series of articles from staff at the club outlining issues relevant to readers about Barnsley FC, club issues and about our local community. I’ll kick this one off, focusing on all three issues combined, by outlining the importance and significance of the Callum Simpson British and Commonwealth title fight at Oakwell on Saturday, August 3.
Callum is a fantastic asset to the town, the borough, the people and the football club of Barnsley.
From our first meeting 18 months ago, it was clear that this young man possesses the attributes that every sportsman requires – a self-confidence without arrogance, complete dedication to being the best and a willingness to make sacrifices in order to achieve his goals.
In addition, the young man has talent in abundance.
Callum is proud to be from Barnsley, he knows what is important to the people of Barnsley and he made this abundantly clear when we first met that he loves the football club and loves the town.
He asked me what he could do to support the football club and has never asked for anything in return.
Football clubs must work hard and smart to ensure that they deliver on why they are valuable assets to their community. The raw success of the club is measured primarily by success on the field and, in the 2024/25 season, we have focused our resources on ensuring we are best-placed to achieve the aim of promotion.
In addition, the club must grow its presence as a contributor to the local agenda. The fantastic work of the Barnsley FC Community Trust continues to grow at pace after the difficult period of Covid-19 when activities ground to a halt.
Their work in health, education and improving life chances is a story full of ambition and resilience.
The club now has an opportunity to help one of its residents, outside of the weekly football agenda of winning and losing, to achieve his life-long ambition and to grow the awareness of the town as a place of possibilities.
For me, that is why this fight is so significant for us all.
The media attention will be high for six weeks.
Stories will be told about the town and we have an opportunity to put a spotlight on the town and its stories of improvement.
Callum has given us all that opportunity to shine a positive light on what we are all about.
This fight is very much a first. Stadium fights are rare and that’s due to the huge costs involved.
I’d like to thank Ben Shalom and Baz Arjomand at BOXXER and to Sky Sports for their investment in supporting Callum.
The council and emergency services have been excellent in their commitment to making this happen and, although we have some hurdles to overcome, their support has been invaluable.
I believe the community of this town will back the risk they have taken and also back Callum by attending the event.
Attending top class sport isn’t always possible for everyone due to the prices but, if you can’t attend, then please back him on social media with best wishes.
This opportunity may well be the first and only of a generation and we as Barnsley FC are very proud to play a small part in putting the town on the sporting map and enabling a local resident to achieve his ambition in a place of possibilities.
