Everton defender Mason Holgate is hoping former club Barnsley can earn Premier League promotion.
Holgate is also in regular contact with Tykes boss Paul Heckingbottom.
He told evertonfc.com: “They've still got an outside chance this year, Barnsley. They are still the first score I look out for. The start they had to the season was unbelievable.
“Barnsley lost a couple of players in January but it doesn't seem to have affected them. They are still doing just as well. They still seem to have a good team spirit, especially with Paul Heckingbottom as manager.
“I've worked with Hecky since Under-16s level. It seemed that whenever I went up an age, he did as well. He was a coach in the first team when I was there and I would say he has had the biggest impact on my career. I still phone and speak to him now. He watches my games, still gives me advice and tells me what I should be doing.
“When I was at Barnsley, Hecky and I used to do a lot of one-on-one work to improve my all-round game. We would watch clips together and stay behind to do extra work, all geared towards helping me get to the next level. I thank him for that, and [former manager] Danny Wilson, who gave me my first-team debut [in December 2014].
“In lower divisions it's hard to find a manager that will play young people. He gave me a chance and I took it. He didn't have to keep playing me because when I got my opportunity it was only through injuries and suspensions. Once I did well, he kept me in. I was only 17 at that time so for him to keep faith was encouraging.
“I'm massively grateful for my upbringing at Barnsley. It has made me into a player that can perform at this level."
Source: tribalfootball.com