By John May

Ritchie has begun Barnsley's long climb back

Barnsley boss Andy Ritchie has no doubts what a rejuvenating tonic victory in the League One play-off final would provide.

"It's a big game for the club, a big game for the players, and a big game for me and my managerial career," Ritchie told BBC Sport.

Victory and a place back in the Championship would mark the Tykes' recovery and rehabilitation from some tough and testing times.

Following their one-season flirtation with the Premiership, Barnsley began a painful tumble, not only into the third tier of English football but into administration.

Ritchie's appointment as caretaker manager at Oakwell in March 2005 marked the start of Barnsley's long climb back.

"It's been a long haul for the club," admits Ritchie. "Since that one season in the Premiership, there have been some bleak times for the club, but now we're on an upsurge.

"We've managed to put some smiles back on faces this season, so let's hope we can keep them there."

We have overachieved already this season Barnsley boss Andy Ritchie

But the play-off final could also confirm Ritchie's renaissance as a manager.

His departure from Oldham in October 2001, where he had been a cult hero as a player, left a bitter taste in the mouth of a man who was forging himself a reputation as one of the game's promising young managers.

Ritchie thought the offer of a place on the board as technical director as an unpalatable demotion.

"It knocked my confidence" admits Ritchie who was invited back into football as academy director by then Barnsley boss Paul Hart.

"I was a bit disillusioned by what happened to me at Oldham. I think the new regime wanted me out from the start and it was a roundabout way to get me out.

Hart's departure in turn opened the door for Ritchie, who grabbed the opportunity

"When Paul left I found myself caretaker manager and managed to do well enough for them to give me the job permanently," he said.

"It rekindled my fire and desire for first-team football."

Ritchie admits the final is a bonus for Barnsley.

We've had more ups than downs this season, I hope there's one more up to come Andy Ritchie

"We have overachieved already this season. I put a two-year plan to the board when I came in and we're well ahead of that.

"We felt we could easily achieve a top ten finish this season and we have by far exceeded that.

"But in football, you take what you're given and we're only one step away from a bigger goal than anyone could have imagined at the start of the season.

"We've got a pretty young squad and I thought promotion might be beyond them this season, but they've kept their standards up and haven't been out of the top six all season.