Former Manchester United director Maurice Watkins will become Barnsley's new chairman next week.

Watkins, who is currently the chairman of British swimming and a non-executive director of the Rugby Football League, was on the board at Old Trafford for 28 years between 1984 and 2012.

"It's great to be back in football at club level and my message is loud and clear - Barnsley means business," Watkins told reporters.

"The Championship is a hard league with many great clubs and, when you think a club was relegated last season with 54 points, that sums up the quality.

"Our task now is to make progress in the league, strengthen our position and get even more fans behind the club."

Barnsley owner Patrick Cryne added: "Many people will know Maurice from Manchester United, but what they won't know is that he operates in a range of different commercial spheres and sports interests.

"He is a sound strategic thinker and very clear on how to organise and how a football club should be run."

Barnsley lost just one of their final eight games last season, as they avoided relegation by a single point.