Barnsley: The Red legacy of wheeler-dealer Ben Mansford

The Reds’ chief executive for the last three years, Mansford has been head-hunted by Yorkshire rivals Leeds United. Commercial Manager Linton Brown replaces him.

Brown has big shoes to fill with Mansford having specialised in getting financial deals over the line.

Helped in part by his time as a football agent, Mansford played a key role in keeping Adam Hammill at Oakwell. And he played leading roles in helping the Reds secure the a number of influential players during his tenure, especially loan players last season, including Ashley Fletcher and Lloyd Isgrove.

This is man who of course who helped advised Fabien Delph on his transfer from Leeds United to Aston Villa for £8m - and advised the administrators of Crystal Palace on the sale of Victor Moses to Wigan for £2m.

Quite simply, Mansford was good at getting deals done and, at Barnsley, that was something the club needed having let key players slip through their grasp before.

He also worked hard to engage with the club’s supporters and, on the whole, seems to be well-respected.

But the lure of joining the Elland Road management was too tempting for him, as well as an expected salary increase.

Mansford was in a strong bargaining position - his stock had risen - having played his own key role in helping the Reds achieve unprecedented success last season.

Two trophies and promotion back to the Championship are two commendable achievements to have on your CV. So the time was right for him. Although it will be interesting to see how he fares under unpredictable Leeds owner Massimo Cellino.

Mansford received great support by Reds owner Patrick Cryne at Oakwell. Will he get the same at Elland Road?

n Barnsley have signed ex Millers defender Aidy White on a one-year deal.