Oakwell Hall Of Fame | 2018 Awards Night https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr3HUR66UFQ View on YouTube...
Great to watch,makes me feel very proud of our football club.It also brings home how much Patrick Cryne did for this great club and town.
Watched it before the link popped up and enjoyed it. It would be great if there was an extended version showing absolutely every interview and comment. One aside for the club. I know it wasn't explicitly stated, but I thought there may have been more coverage of the event at the game, and though things were said at half time, I thought there might have been something at the game where the new inductees could have taken the applause of 12,000 fans to thank them for wonderful efforts and memories. I know this is year 1, and still a fantastic well done for the clubs efforts on this, just personally, I would have loved to have applauded Neil Redfearn, Barry Murphy and taken a moment to collectively remember Patrick, Rimmo and Rev Preedy. The awards are a great touch, and a more intimate setting, but our players trod the turf of Oakwell and gave thousands year after year memories and more. I just think seeing them step out onto the pitch again for another round of applause would be fitting. For legends and fans alike.
There is a feature length version on iFollow. And there are many reasons we didn’t manage to get the legends onto the pitch, the main one being that the likes of Ronnie and Redders didn’t fancy it. Very humble blokes. The kind words since Friday night make me proud of the months of graft put in by all involved. Hopefully ramp it up next year now we’ve got the first one done.
Well what a night that was! I've just watched the full version on iFollow and found inexplicable lumps appearing in my throat and drips going down my cheeks quite a few times. Not sure why. Barry Murphy's passionate (and long) speech; Craig Hignett's humour, the banter between players and staff throughout. It just went on and on, with great stories about players and why they came to Oakwell. There were genuinely moving anecdotes from several and it was just fantastic to see so much love for the football club that has been a part of all of my life, even though I have spent so many of my adult years away from the town. It's things like this that really bring home to me that it is more than just a football club. It's a shining beacon for the whole town, and beyond and it saddens me to see people knocking the club whenever the slightest thing doesn't go how they think it should. I'm not denying anyone's right to complain or criticise but some take it to extremes and, in my eyes, they ought to see the bigger picture. We are never going to be supporters of an established Premier League club but there's always the hope that we might get there again, no matter how long or short that stay might be. I hope we get at least one more shot at it before I call it a day but, if we don't, it doesn't matter. My club, my team - always have been and always will be. Well done to all those who put this together.
The whole concept of the hall of fame is excellent. And over time it'll allow many more of those who've worked tirelessly for the club, be they star players, stalwarts, backroom staff etc, to be recognised. The list is long, and it'll take a few years to get all of those who deserve the accolade to be inducted. Looking back, there have been pivotal appointments at board level, managers and signings that have changed the direction of Barnsley Football Club over decades. In my lifetime, in addition to those inducted already, there have been significant contributions from the likes of Ernest and John Dennis, Allan Clarke, Danny Wilson for starters. Even people like Mike Spinks, Shirley Montague who used to open the hole-in-the-wall club shop. All contributed in some way. Not without fault or criticism but definitely with integrity. The Hall of Fame really makes you think of what individuals have given to the club, on a large or small scale, and a real sense of pride. It's a fantastic thing the club have done, and I second all those who have thanked Andy Clarke and @YTBFC for doing this.
I cant begin to tell you how privileged and overwhelmed at times I felt being at Fridays HOF. To be stood having a drink and all these heroes just doing the same then listening to them say great things about my football club, you cant put a price on that. I've said a lot of things since friday both on social media and in private and will continue to do so because a 41 year old Barnsley fan was made very happy. I will be at the next one and it cant come quick enough. Well done both Andys for all they did.
Thanks Whitey, watched the full version and really enjoyed that. I don't know why, but just seeing old players, decades after they last kicked a ball for us brings so many memories and emotions flooding back. The Hall of Fame is a truly wonderful thing and you absolutely should be proud in what you've helped bring to the club. I can understand humble people not wanting a song and dance made about them, after all this is Barnsley isn't it? Do your best, do it hard and fairly, but at the end of the day, you're just doing your job. But I think its important to say, what they did touched the lives of thousands of local people. They made their weeks better (sometimes worse), they gave an outlet for their hopes and aspirations, connections and community. The joys, though few of them, have been truly special though and they should be celebrated and remembered and honoured. Those players became greats not only for their actions on the pitch, but because of the connections with the fans. And as much as I respect an individual to shy away from limelight, I think they may actually look back themselves fondly, having stepped onto the pitch again, standing in front of the ponty and receiving acclaim like they did so long ago. We're all human, and I know I've been in situations I didn't want to be in, but after the event was grateful I was. I just think it would be a crying shame if future inductees were crowned in a room of just a handful of the privileged, as fantastic a night as I'm sure it was, but then the thousands who would truly love to honour them are denied from doing so. As wonderful as the Hall of Fame is, somehow denying all the fans just doesn't seem to do justice to those players legacy. Nor to help pass the baton. The parent telling the child of past history. A few years ago we played QPR away midweek, obviously, we lost. But at half time 2 ex players stepped onto the pitch, were inducted and spoke of their past exploits and team mates. It was lovely. And I recall saying at the time we absolutely had to do that. There is obviously a question of how to do that with players and people who are sadly no longer with us, but in a way, I feel its even more important to ensure those who are still with us are recognised and thanked before the fans. While we still can. It's still a wonderful thing, and with this, the mural and the other projects, there are many more things to link past and present than ever before. So again well done, I just hope the vast majority of fans get opportunities the handful did. After all, as was echoed through that event, Barnsley FC just has something special about it. Community. People. Fans.
I reiterate, we won’t be forcing players to do something they aren’t comfortable with. I appreciate everything you’ve said and agree with the points you’re making. But again, I cannot and will not ever force someone to do anything they don’t want.
Nor would I expect you to. Just a crying shame all round that the aspect the fans would love so much may actually never happen.
We managed to get plenty onto the pitch last year for the 130th anniversary. But on this occasion, whilst we'd planned months ago to do similar with the inductees, lots scuppered it sadly. Of the six inductees, we'd have had only Barry Murphy out on the pitch this time which would have looked a little bizarre, and led to folk asking 'where was Redfearn' as they did last year when he turned down the opportunity. I've explained to Ronnie just how amazing it would be to have him on the pitch again, and he totally gets the point. But he's not comfy with it. It's a personal thing isn't it? And by God, that man is something else. Not just a terrific footballer but an absolute gent. The fact it was an early kick off put a spanner in the works for a few other things we'd planned too. Around 100 fans paid £60 to attend the event and I don't think that's bad at all. We'll look to ramp it up in future, we could hold it elsewhere and have many more guests, more space for fans etc. We shall see. And all those who came Friday are more than happy to return next time. So maybe some will have a change of heart and come wave for you. Cheers!