Maurice Watkins appointed Barnsley chairman

Barnsley have appointed former Manchester United director Maurice Watkins as their new chairman.

Watkins was a director at Old Trafford for 28 years until 2012.

"It's great to be back in football at club level and my message is loud and clear - Barnsley means business," he said.

"The Championship is a hard league with many great clubs and when you think a club was relegated last season with 54 points, that sums up the quality."

Watkins, who was appointed chairman of British Swimming in December 2012, will take up the role with the Tykes next week.

Owner Patrick Cryne added: "He is a sound strategic thinker and very clear on how to organise and to say how a football club should be run."