The opening weekend of the 2025/26 Football League campaign brought about mixed fortunes for a trio of West Ham United youngsters past and present.
The Luton Town fans ‘will love’ Gideon Kodua, predicts Hatters boss Matt Bloomfield.
The Kenilworth Road faithful will have to wait for their hearts to be snared, however. Loanee Kodua did not make it off the bench as an 85th minute own goal from AFC Wimbledon’s Ryan Johnson gifted the League One title favourites a win in Friday’s curtain-raiser.
Less than 24 hours later, Michael Forbes scored on his Northampton Town bow. That was only a consolation, however, with Wigan Athletic storming into a three-goal advantage over Kevin Nolan’s side.
But when Barnsley boss Conor Hourihane threw Patrick Kelly in at the deep end, the former West Ham United prospect tossed aside the armbands and quickly settled into a perfect breaststroke.
Barnsley fans rave about Patrick Kelly after West Ham United exit
Kelly, to quote one Barnsley supporter in the aftermath of Saturday’s thrilling 3-1 win at Plymouth Argyle, was introduced ‘in a difficult situation’.
You can say that again.
When he was brought on with half-an-hour or so remaining at Home Park, Barnsley had seen a 2-0 goal lead halved mere moments before going down to ten men as Jack Shepherd picked up his second yellow card of the afternoon.
Plymouth, it’s fair to say, were in the ascendancy.
But there is a reason why Hourihane was so ‘excited’ to see Patrick Kelly in action. The tigerish Northern Ireland international became a clear fans favourite at Doncaster Rovers last season – Kelly helped Donny win the League Two title – and it has not taken long for the Barnsley faithful to take him to their hearts now too.
“[Kelly] looked good when he came on, in a difficult situation too,” one supporter writes on X.
“Got a player on our hands here,” another agrees.
“Gonna be such a good player for us.”
“Some player what a talent.”
“He’s gonna be mint.”
“Super player.”
“Can’t wait to see more of him!”
Kelly labelled ‘captain material’ as he impresses on League One bow
Introduced for the mercurial, veteran forward David McGoldrick – very much a defensive-minded substitution as Hourihane looked to see out a narrow lead with a man less – Kelly completed two tackles, made one clearance, and was even one of just four Barnsley players to complete a key pass.
Signed on a three-year deal when West Ham allowed the 2023 FA Youth Cup winner to leave in pursuit of first-team opportunities, this is precisely the impact Hourihane was looking for from an industrious, hard-working yet technically-astute footballer capable of influencing proceedings both in and out of possession.
Ten-man Barnsley, by the way, not only held onto their lead. They actually extended it, Davis Keillor-Dunn’s late clincher securing an unexpected opening day win away at one of the teams dropping down from the division above.
“I thought he looked a real prospect when he came on,” another supporter wrote on the Barnsley FC BBS Fans Forum at full-time. “Only a cameo of course, but he seemed to put himself about well, looked mobile and had a decent chance to score too.”
“First thing he did when he got on the pitch was point here, there and everywhere. Loved that.”
“I thought he looked like the kind of player we’ve been missing for a few years. Kelly looks like a high tempo and getting-round-the-pitch kind of player which will really suit a 4-3-3 or 4-2-4 formation.”
“Some seriously good options in midfield, so if any have a few off games then they’ll lose their place. Definitely looks like captain material.”
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