GARRY MONK can still remember the end of his time at Barnsley as if it was yesterday. Fourteen years ago, the current Middlesbrough boss moved to Oakwell on loan from Southampton in an attempt to reignite his stalling career.

Things initially went well, and with Barnsley effectively taking over the final six months of his Saints deal, there was the immediate promise of a new long-term contract at the end of his maiden season in South Yorkshire.

That was in the February though. At the end of March, Barnsley’s Icelandic manager Gudjon Thordarson was sacked, and replaced by Paul Hart. As is so often the case, Hart arrived with his own plans for the squad, and Monk, on his short-term deal, did not feature in them.

Released as a free agent, Monk did not know where his next job would come from. He need not have worried. Swansea came calling, and over the course of the next 11 years, the centre-half made more than 270 senior appearances in South Wales. He also kicked off his managerial career at the Liberty Stadium, so Barnsley’s loss was very much the Swans’ gain.

This afternoon, he will return to Oakwell, looking to guide his Middlesbrough side to what would be only their fifth league win of the season. He has happy memories of his 20 senior appearances on Barnsley’s books, but admits his time at the club will always be tainted by the manner of his departure.

“My memories are very good, apart from the ending,” said Monk. “I went there on loan initially, and then Barnsley basically took over the last six months of the contract that I had at Southampton.

“It was a really good experience. It was games, it was playing, and they’re a good club with good facilities. I enjoyed my time there, although I picked up an injury at the end and that soured things a bit.

“I was believing, in fact I was told, I would be getting a contract, so to then not get one at the end was disappointing. There was a change of management at the time, so the ending wasn’t great, but in terms of the overall experience, it was good.”

When Monk was at Oakwell, Barnsley were playing in the old Second Division, or what is now League One. Since then, the Tykes have bobbed up and down the Football League, but having won promotion to the Championship two seasons ago, they successfully established themselves in the second tier last term.

With Paul Heckingbottom having taken charge halfway through the previous campaign, Barnsley finished in 14th position last season, comfortably clear of the relegation battle. They sit 18th in the current standings, having won just one of their last five league matches, but while they might not be the most fashionable team in the Championship, Monk argues it would be wrong to underestimate them.

“They’re doing more than survive,” he said. “They’re a good team, and they showed that last season. They have a certain way they recruit there, in terms of the system they have in place and the players they sign, but I think it’s worked well for them. It’s served them well in recent years.

“It’s not even a consideration for survival for them – they’re a well-trained team with a very good manager. They’re always a difficult team to play against – with Leeds last season, we had two very difficult games against them. I expect no different this season.”

One thing working in Boro’s favour this afternoon will be the huge travelling contingent accompanying them on the trip from Teesside.

There will be almost 5,000 away fans at Oakwell, an away support that confirms both the size of the club Monk is managing and the extent to which optimism has not seeped away despite Boro’s stuttering start to the season.

Having started the campaign as favourites for the title, Boro find themselves four points off a play-off position, but the expectation is that promotion will still be achieved.

“It’s fantastic to have near enough 5,000 of our fans travelling,” said Monk. “That’s a magnificent effort, and we’ll want to put on a performance that warrants that support.

“It just shows how well supported the club is, and what the club means to a lot of people. That’s what those numbers mean, and it’s an extra motivation for the players and everyone involved to put on performances and give them something to shout about.

“The aim is always to win the game, but to have that backing and support is always massively important, home and away. It really has an effect on the team, and can help push them in tough games. We’re very thankful for that support, and looking forward to getting in front of them at the weekend.”