Mr Beane Takes Over Barnsley

[johnny crossan]

US Moneyball man with Chinese backers has just got the FA thumbs up

A consortium led by Chinese businessman Chien Lee has completed a takeover of Championship club Barnsley.
Lee is also an investor in French Ligue Un side Nice and will be joined on the board at Oakwell by Paul Conway, Grace Hung, Neerav Parekh and former baseball general manager Billy Beane.

The takeover ends Patrick Cryne's 13-year spell as owner.
Cryne, who has terminal cancer, wrote a letter to fans in September to say he was "living on borrowed time".

Chief executive Gauthier Ganaye told the club website: "We would like to thank every member of our loyal fan base for their patience and continued support over recent months.

"An exciting chapter is opening for Barnsley Football Club and we are looking forward to the future together."

Former Oakland A's general manager Beane pioneered the 'Moneyball' model for using computer-generated analysis to inform player recruitment and tactics.

The Tykes are 20th in the Championship, four points above the relegation zone.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42414884