It's just dawned on me that Roberts and Shepherd are both Barnsley born and bred lads who we took a chance on from non-league. That is something brilliant, rare in the modern game and to be proud of in my opinion. Even though the local links are fewer at board level now, it's fantastic that the club still maintain that connection with bringing on coaches like Harban, Eaden and Flinders too. Long may it continue.
Is Shepherd actually a Barnsley lad? I know he’s local & played for Pontefract but I didn’t know where he was born.
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/spo...ollieries-for-oakwell-under-21-set-up-4207484 Bit of background on him here. He also played for Athersley Rec at one point.
Bobby Hassell hopes Barnsley-born Shepherd will be another example of the Reds' history of recruiting well from non-league football paying off
Ah, fair enough. The Yorkshire Post article above states Barnsley-born which was why I thought so, but I stand corrected
He went to the same schools in North Sheffield as my kids. Lived just round the corner from us. All his mates were Wednesday fans. Not sure if he was that bothered tbh. If I’m guessing though he was brought up as a Wednesday fan. I think maybe he was one of those kids who was more interested in playing than going to games though.
I don’t expect anyone to take my word for it over those articles. It’s better evidence than me just saying it. But yeah. He’s from Sheffield.
I’d say North Sheffield is Chapeltown, High Green, Burncross, Grenoside. Shepherd went to School in Grenoside.
Penistone is Barnsley - try telling John Stones anything different. I’d suggest googling John Stones/ Kyle Walker Penistone but who knows what could happen.