Another trip in the Barnsley FC time machine this time its a double header. First up after needing a replay to dispatch non league Enfield Norman Hunters Red & White Army travelled up to Ayrsome Park on Valentines Day 1981 for a 5th round FA Cup tie against 1st division Middlesbrough. In front of 37557 the Reds put on a fantasic display but went out 2-1. Next up is a 3rd Division game at Oakwell on the 28th of March 1981.Promotion chasing Barnsley beat Burnley in a war of the roses clash. These two games were on the same tape recorded on the day of broadcast and as such the quality is what you would expect. Also I've left it untouched so you get a bonus of some adverts of the time.
That Boro match, God knows how many of us packed into a corner designed to hold about 2,000, once they cleared part of the terrace to alleviate the overcrowding there were darts flying into Barnsley fans. They looked like a top flight club until they went 2-0 up then we absolutely battered them and really shut up their supporters right up until the last few minutes when they realised they were probably going to win and started singing again. The walk back to the coaches with bricks and stone raining down on us, trying to engage a copper in conversation, "You've got to admit we nearly had you there", "Shut the **** up and walk". Ah, happy days!
Wed a great side then but just how much effort were they putting in. I remember a flair side but Christ they ran their blood to.waterin that boro game
The Boro game was my 21st birthday. Was proud as punch after the game after seeing us give em a real scare. They were top 6 in the 1st Division at that point.
I'm sure someone can fill in the blanks. Remains one of my favourite away days despite the result and despite the Boro fans. Millions of us. Wednesday-esque. @JLWBigLil at a guess ....... Martin New, Chambers, Evans, McCarthy (?) Glavin, Joyce, Banks, McHale, Lester, Parker, Barrowclough, Aylott (?) Help!!
In fact, found our line up. Barnsley: New, Joyce, Chambers, Glavin, Banks, McCarthy, Cooper, Riley, Aylott, Lester, Downes. http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/relive-five-memorable-fa-cup-8518993 Look at that crowd compared to their other 'big games'.
We were in the small bit of terrace under the seats at the start of the match, then moved over to the boro bit to exit at the end. Quite possibly the most menacing football experience i've had. There must have been more skinheads in 'boro than the rest of the country put together. Absolutely fantastic times to be watching us though.
I remember being squashed in so tight that you couldn't move your arms. Never been in such a crowd like that. If you notice when we scored there are Barnsley fans jumping up in the far corner and behind the goal. We were everywhere !!
My fiancee & I were sat in their main stand. When Mike Lester scored, I went mad, jumping out of my seat celebrating. I looked round and saw all these Boro fans just looking at me! Thankfully, there was no trouble or hassle from them during or after the game for us.
We were in an unsegregated bit of the stand behind the goal , mayhem particularly after we scored . Remember having to take sanctuary in M&S before the game after my mate made a school boy error of looking at the street map in the town centre ,getting to the ground and back to the train station was like being in the film Warriors
Any chance of the Liverpool replay in 82? It was so foggy I've never seen Walker's goal. Or the replay against Enfield at White Hart Lane, especially Glavin's goal, a one-two on the edge of the box and then bang? I've seen those goals on the TV news but I don't remember highlights being shown anywhere.