Golbourne ready to leap up a league

Keith Hill has never been afraid of playing youngsters but he has now gone further than ever before by recruiting someone who will celebrate his sixth official birthday this month.

Scott Golbourne was born on February 29 1988 and, as a leap year baby, only has a genuine birthday every four years.

“I usually celebrate my birthday on the 28th but it is always a bit more special when it is actually on the 29th and my family tend to make a bit more of it,” Golbourne told the Chronicle.

“In a way you could say I’m only going to be six but obviously I’m actually 24.”

The left-back believes he is at the right age to make the step up to the Championship after two and a half seasons at Exeter City where he made 32 appearances this season and 121 in total.

“It is the perfect time for me to make the step back up into the Championship,” said the player who signed a two and a half year contract with Barnsley earlier this week.

“I’m a lot more mature than when I last played at this level for Reading. When I left for Exeter I wanted to get games under my belt then get back to the Championship so it has worked out well.

“The time was right and the club is right as well. Barnsley seems like a nice, humble club with a good bunch of lads in the squad. The staff are young and have fresh ideas so it is really exciting. I was very impressed with the way they played against Derby and I hope to be involved in the team sooner rather than later.”