BACK TO THE FUTURE
If you really want to know what could happen in the future, look into the past.  Any old historian worth his salt will tell you that there's nothing new under the sun, so let's look back twenty-odd years to a time before the greed of the Premiership, before the Bosman ruling took money from the small club's pockets, and when England winning the World Cup was a comparatively recent memory.  Up in the north west corner of the country Carlisle United were creating a bit of history for themselves when they managed to get into the old First Division, then the pinnacle of English football.  The 'Match of the Day' cameras were there for their opening match and how we were fascinated as the minnows pitted themselves against the might of Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United and the other top teams of the day.  Suddenly, apart from supporting our own individual team, we looked to see how little Carlisle were doing because we felt a soft spot towards them.  All good things come to an end however, and at the end of the season little Carlisle were relegated.  It wasn't too long before they were relegated again, and they were forgotten.  The next time they made the headlines was when a businessman-come-self-publicist who had so recently and very publicly almost bought Manchester United made a bid and became the new owner of Carlisle United.  Mr Knighton had juggled a football in front of the Old Trafford faithful one Saturday afternoon on being unveiled as their soon-to-be new chairman: then it turned out that he didn't have the money he said he'd got so he moved on to Carlisle where, over the years, he has appointed himself occasional manager, chief coach, groundsman, chief cook and bottlewasher.  Very popular in Carlisle, our Mr Knighton.  Where are Carlisle now?  About two places above Boston.

Does the story ring any bells?  Unless Barnsley can turn things round they are going in exactly the same direction.  It is easy to come up with 'get rid of the Chairman': Carlisle did, and look where it got them.  The downward spiral is not easy to break free from and a change of Chairman at this stage

could be the death of Barnsley as a professional football club.

Rumours abound about new finance: Hayselden are said by some to be making noises, and bringing in Peter Taylor with them: I've also heard Joe Royle's name mentioned as the next manager, which must be upsetting for the present incumbent, but I suspect there will be no Parkin come Bonfire night.  It has also been said that the club's sponsor has offered to donate part of his personal fortune, but the offer has been rejected: one can only surmise that John Dennis hasn't heard the right things said yet.  John Dennis is a shrewd act: how many other Chairmen in Barnsley's history have taken them into the top flight?  He has done everything he can to keep the Reds on a sound financial footing so lay off the man and look more closely at the pitch, and the man who sends out the players.

Finally, last weekend saw the Great Britain and Europe golfers wrest the Ryder Cup from the mighty American team.  Going into the final day with the scores level, every pundit had the US winning because individually their players were better than ours.  What happened?  We won: ask the players the reason and they gave the same answer: Sam Torrance.  Sam led the team, selected the pairings, chose his playing order for the final day, and roused the troops.  The troops gave a stunning performance and Sam lifted the Ryder Cup.  Do you think he fancies the Oakwell job?  Probably not, but charismatic characters have the ability to raise the performance levels of their teams, so how much charisma has Steve Parkin got?  Not much, going by performances so far this year.

I'm no mystic Meg, but unless John Dennis bites the bullet and replaces Parkin it could be the likes of Carlisle at Oakwell next year: act now, and it's not impossible that visitors could include Ipswich and Leicester - unless they improve and return to the Premiership!