21 years ago today

John Dungworth scored the own goal. A player who had had a short period on loan at Barnsley during the 1974/75 season. He scored one goal for us in our 3-0 win at Reading.

 

What a lovely way to remember a great legacy my friend. I can empathise with much of what you say, amazing how little things bring back memories so clear it was as if it were yesterday. At away matches when I was first taken to them in the early 80s, we always had Sport Report on the car radio for the results, my Dad used to whistle the theme "out of the blue" whilst walking back to the car. It was the last tune we played as we left the crematorium at his funeral, and I still well up now when I hear it. We owe them a lot.

Wishing you happy memories for a long long time mate.

 

Nah! You just think I'm big, grey and wrinkly!

 

I remember maybe 3 games per season long-term

 

My dad passed away over 40 years ago but he never took me to a football match. He was however a Wakefield Trinity fan and he used to take me there. We went to Wembley to see them lose to Leeds in the cup final when Don Fox infamously missed the late goal kick the would have given us victory. Left school and started work at Redfearns in 1963 where later the lads there got me hooked on BFC whilst still maintaining an interest in Trinity. Treasure your memories Kev, they are yours until you also pass on.

 

Thank you, old mate. Coming from you that really does mean a lot.

 

My Uncle took me to my first match in April 1961 against Walsall , we drew 2 v 2 & that was me hooked

 

Love this post Kev. My Dad died in 1987. He's the reason I love the Reds too. Coincidentally that was the season he first took me to Oakwell and whilst I can't remember the game I think it was the same one as you. I took my spot down by the wall in the Brewery Stand just about on the halfway line and then when I grew older (and taller) moved back to stand with him in our spot. I still miss him too, in many ways and often when faced with difficult decisions or challenging situations I think about what he would have done and use it as a guide. I actually admire him more as I grow older. The longer time passes the less he's spoken about and that upsets me, it's very important to me that he's not forgotten. He passed before any of my kids were born so sadly he doesn't mean anything to them. Such is life I guess that previous generations gradually fade from memory. I think that's why I love your post so much - that you're keeping his memory alive and giving others the opportunity to do so too. Thank you.......

 

Not sure who would say we won 3-2? I was there and it was definitely a back down to earth home defeat. It was more disappointing than usual because we had gone the whole of the previous season unbeaten at home (17 wins and 6 draws).

It would be a long time before that happened again.

 

Beautiful, well written post.

 

I smiled when I read your comment about Sports Report mate. It usually came on just after we got back to the car and we used to do the 'da da, da da, dada dada' (you know what I mean!) bit together. It's one of those pieces of music that evokes strong memories for me too.

 

Your story mirrors mine but mine started mid 70s my old man couldn't eat his tea after a reds defeat and he passed the gene on to me my best memories are calling him for nearly the full match against Bradford because he was too Ill to go it cost a bloody fortune on my old Motorola and I kept last losing the signal and then against Doctors orders he dragged himself down to Wembley for the 2000 play off final so we shared that in person. Let's hope our fathers are somewhere cheering the reds on to a victory tonight but most of all on Saturday against that lot from S6.
RIP all the old reds responsible for passing on the gene to their Sons and Daughters it might not be a big Club but it's our Club now and forever.

 

Not ashamed to admit that I've shed a tear a

Not ashamed to admit that I've shed a tear at this thread. Echo your comment about our fathers cheering the Reds to victory tonight and Saturday - dedicated to BigLils Dad tonight.

 

I've shed a tear reading this as well, and I'm not ashamed either

 

My dad passed away on the 21st of December 1981 after a short battle with a brain tumour. The first game he missed was Man City at home hence my post "39 years ago today"
Like many other people on here he was responsible for introducing me to a lifelong addiction of following the Reds.
No matter how good or bad we've been Barnsley has always been the centre of my sporting affections and as many have said our result makes or breaks our week.
Thanks Les for showing me what football and Barnsley and it's folk are all about. Heartfelt sympathy to everyone who has lost loved ones especially at this time of year and especially to Metatarsal at this sad time.
I'll end there as I can't see to type any more.
COYR

 

I can still see that Dungworth og now. Spion Kop end. Corner to us. Dungworth swivels, catches it on the volley and it flies past his own keeper. It was a beauty.

 

He was the Division's top scorer that season, too!

 

There's a lot of Dads up there watching on. Smell of tobacco in the air, walking from the Ponty to the Kop at half time, sticking it out through thick and thin. Mostly thin. Mine's there with em, probably standing with his mate.
God bless them all.

 

Nice post Kev. Hopefully we’ll be back in the Car park soon arguing what position is most important in a team, striker or goalkeeper. (Has to be goalie!)

 

Great memories to have & treasure Kev.

Slightly different from most, it was my best friend at the times’ dad that took me to my first game as a 4yo against Aston Villa in 1968. This continued for several years through a very good period in our history.

In 1970 the World Cup changed my life. We must have won the football pools or something because we became the first house in the street to have a coloured television - just in time for the Finals. Our neighbours gathered around it and watched match after match as the magnificent spectacle of the vivid colours, fanatical fans and truly magnificent Brazil side certainly mesmerised a young lad. I was hooked.

My obsession obviously rekindled my old mans interest in football. He was a Charlton fan - apparently they were good in the 40’s. He obviously wanted me to follow him down this route and regaled me with tales of “legendary” players and managers. In 1971 Cardiff were to play Charlton and he was going to take me for the first time. A bit late, but there you go. He’d built up this Charlton side so much that I expected a mixture of Real Madrid, Brazil and the Harlem Globetrotters! Anyway, Cardiff won 6-1 and he knew that forever more it was a lost cause and I’d always be a City fan.