Hi. It’s nice to have the opportunity to speak to you as we prepare for another campaign.

First of all, I’d like to thank the club and Mladen Sormaz, the sporting director, for their backing and support. I am pleased to continue in my role as assistant head coach, now to Darrell Clarke. Darrell is a great character and, with the other members of the coaching staff, we have enjoyed a positive start to our working relationship.

I looked forward to coming back into training last week and welcoming the lads back, ready to start our new campaign.

We have all returned fresh for the challenge ahead and in high spirits with a few new faces in the mix to bring some experience and energy into the group.

It was nice to see a familiar face in Conor Hourihane walk back through the doors of Oakwell. It’s clear to see his passion for coaching and developing players, and it’s nice to be able to support Conor – someone who has also experienced success for the club.

In addition, Marc Roberts has returned, bringing experience and character into the changing room. He is a great lad who equally has had a big impact at the club while he was here. Funnily enough, I’d like to take a bit of credit for bringing him to Barnsley originally as we knew each other from the local area, and we were discussing his next steps after Halifax Town.

After a phone call and a few conversations with people at the club, Robbo was in the building the next day and the rest is history.

From a personal perspective, my family has had some fantastic news recently, with my eldest son Jacob signing his first professional contract with Manchester United at 17.

Having been with them since the age of seven, scouted whilst playing for his local team Penistone Church, he has worked hard since that time, culminating in a well-deserved professional contract.

We are all so proud of what he has achieved, recognising it has taken many sacrifices, especially when you consider he left home at 14 to make Manchester his temporary home during the week as well as changing schools, so he could concentrate on his football alongside studying for his GCSEs.

He had a great year last season, his first as a first-year scholar, playing in every game and winning three trophies with the under 18s, finishing off with a win at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea to win the National Premier League. In addition, he played some games for the under 21s, with the highlight being training with the first team.

My youngest lad, Joel, is also developing really well right here at Oakwell. He will be playing for the under 16s this season, which will be really positive for him, especially after having had a really tough time of it last year – missing the whole campaign with a stress fracture in his back. His next goal is to earn a scholarship at the club, but the focus just needs to be on enjoying his football and performing consistently like he can.

People may think that – because I had a footballing career myself – I am quite keen on the lads to make it and become professionals.

Of course, I want them to do well and to be the best they can be, but we are quite relaxed, their enjoyment and happiness is our priority as parents, like any others, I’m sure.

However, despite all my knowledge and experience in football, being a parent is still my foremost priority when it comes to my own children so they know I am here if they need any help and I obviously still offer advice if required. They are fully aware that this is their life and journey and know they have to work hard and make sacrifices to make it in this industry.

Both boys were born and raised in Barnsley and are very proud of their roots. Barnsley is their club.

I’ve been in the assistant head coach role now for the last two years and we have come very close to promotion. Hopefully, with the experiences I’ve been lucky to have, I can help Darrell and the team go one step further to achieve what we all want as a football club.

See you all soon. Martin Devaney.