Heard the one about Chopra, Ridsdale and the bucket of water?

Rick Holden, the former Barnsley phsyio and assistant manager, is writing a book on his time at Oakwell under Paul Hart and Andy Ritchie.

The 47-year-old's playing career included spells as a midfielder for Halifax, Watford, Oldham Athletic, Manchester City and Blackpool. He then retired and became a physio in the Isle of Man before being tempted back by former Oldham team mate Ritchie, then assistant manager under Hart, to join the Reds' staff in 2004.

When Hart was sacked the following March, Ritchie was made manager and Holden became the assistant as well as the physio. Ritchie and Holden were known for their relaxed management style and relationship with players. They also had success on the pitch and led the Reds to promotion from League One via the play-offs in 2006.

They were sacked five months later but Holden has plenty of fond and hilarious memories and will reveale them all this September in his book Balladromic Barnsley.

He told the Chronicle of one story which began with chairman Peter Ridsdale approaching the coaching staff with a bright red face and his shoes and socks in his hands.

“He demanded to know where Michael Chopra was and immediately I worked out what had happened,” said Holden.

“Chopra had got into Ridsdale’s room, taken his bin, filled it up with water and balanced it on the door. When Ridsdale opened the door it went all over his feet. He had to sit in the bar with his shoes and socks on the radiator. It is one of the oldest tricks in the book but it was hilarious.

“That’s just one example of the banter we had at Barnsley in those days. I had a fantastic time and I don’t think I have laughed as much before or since as I did when I was there.”