Davey Permanent Boss At Oakwell

One-time Blue Simon Davey

Ritchie was sacked in November, with the club second from bottom in the Championship table, but Davey has taken the Tykes out of the relegation zone with three wins and two draws from eight games. The 36-year-old stepped up from his previous position in charge of the club's academy. Davey said he would conclude discussions with club chairman Gordon Shepherd about the terms and length of his deal in the next week.

"It's an absolute honour to be asked to manage a club of this stature," Davey told Barnsley's website. I have thoroughly enjoyed being in charge for the last month and I cannot wait to move things forward. Now is the time for the whole club to pull together and unite in our aim of staying in the Championship. The players have been tremendous over the last month and I'm sure that work ethic will remain. The board have been loyal to me and it's a tremendous honour to have the future of this club in my hands. Hopefully the decision will settle the players down a little as they know now they have to impress me on the training field and on the pitch if they are to get a place on the team."

The Welshman had spells with Swansea, Carlisle, Preston and Darlington during his playing career. After retiring in 2000, Davey moved into coaching with Preston and took up his role with Barnsley's academy in the summer of 2006. But it was not long before he was asked to become caretaker manager following Ritchie's departure. Davey spent two and a half years at Brunton Park, where he made 137 starts and scored 23 goals before he was sold to Preston North End for £125,000 in February 1995.