Stoke V Barnsley F.A. Cup 1989

Worthy, Tarny etc, afternoon in Leek, which was full of reds fans. Top day mate,

 

I was there. I was at Nottingham Uni at the time so took the train I think. I saw all the goals and don't remember a crush to get in at all, funnily enough

 

I was 14 at the time and the games were two of the most exciting matches I've ever seen live. Made a difference having the replay 3 days later too. I loved that side back in 88/89, some quality in there with Currie, Futcher, Beresford, Agnew , plus one of my heroes in Steve Cooper. FA Cup was a big issue for all clubs back then, I think the gate was over 18000 at Stoke and we got over 21000 at Oakwell for the replay.

Wonderful memories of the day, travelled with my Dad. We were lucky as we were in the ground relatively early. However, for a short period of time there was fear, as our pen quickly filled up and I've never been as tightly packed on a terrace as I was that day. Relief came when, I think, the Stoke stewards opened a gate that connected the adjacent pens to allow some overspill.

Similar issues at the replay when SYP opened a gate to allow access onto our Kop at Oakwell due to congestion outside of the ground. Prophetic in many ways given what happened at Hillsborough only 11 weeks later. The gate incident at Oakwell was part of the evidence at the Hillsborough inquests, the copy is currently inaccessible due to the proceedings currently active against David Duckenfield.

 

Thanks for posting. Great memories. That was a side with a real potent strike force and a creative midfield. I was there and remember Cooper’s celebrations in the replay as well. Happy days...

 

I didn't know this.

 

Was there as a 16 Yr old entrusted to look after my 13 Yr old brother. In the end pen, leppings Lane style! It was scary as fook. Trying to protect him it was rammed. They even opened the next pen to ease the crush. I was shiTTing it

 

Brilliant day. also beat em in the replay. Pretty sure in the replay Steve Cooper scored and did his forward/.backward somersault ( a junior champion gymnast in his youth I believe) Peter Beagrie stole it and it became known as his trademark. After he'd seen Cooper do it. Will stand corrected if wrong.

 

yer can shove ya pink panthers up yer arse

 

Exactly as I remember it mate. I think eventually they opened up all the sections along the touchline for Barnsley supporters to ease the congestion.

 

Only found it by chance, there was a huge amount of evidence made public around the time the independent inquests were concluded and the report published. If I can source it again, I'll provide a link.

 

Yes, there were thousands still outside well into the first half and goals were going in a plenty. They opened the gates and everyone rushed in - hence the prophetic crush in the pens. It was 3-1 when we got in, only saw Stoke score