The Accrington Pals. Probably the most famous of the regiments. Immortalised in song by Mike Harding if I remember rightly. A hugely moving piece.
5 days to go. Still answering your questions. Latest info: Accrington Cricket Club, Thorneyholme Rd ( the home of Bumble and Accrington FC 1888 ) are opening their bar and free car park from 12pm. It's half a mile walk from the Wham Stadium.
I saw you did the same thing on the Sunderland forum. I didn't rate their banter. What bitter is on in the stadium?
Sorry. Just looked on the original sales on club site. Were given just short of 1500 standing and 900 seating. Still looks a lot for that end.
From our website: Tickets remain available to Stanley supporters for Saturday’s League One game against Barnsley at the Wham Stadium. The match will be an ‘All Ticket’ fixture, and home supporters, including ASFC Loyalty Card holders, will need to purchase their match tickets prior to the day of the game. No tickets will be available to purchase on the day. We anticipate the attendance to be close to full capacity, and encourage home fans to purchase their tickets as soon as possible.
With Remembrance Sunday just gone - it's a point to note that there are sad links between the towns . The Accrington Pals were stationed next to the Barnsley Pals in the Battle of the Somme and were the first to go "over the top" and, basically to be wiped out, before it was our turn - losing half the batallion.
If ever you needed any reminder of the close links between our towns look no further. The attached picture shows unknown Accrington and Barnsley Pals buried together side by side not far from where they fell. Clearly puts into perspective our little "game" of Football on Saturday and whatever happens it isnt the end of the world. Unfortunately for these lads, that farmers field near Serre on the Somme was just that. I would urge anyone with Barnsley in their heart to visit this place at least once in your life. The silence is deafening.
A slight aside. I'd strongly recommend anyone to visit the Imperial War Museum in London (a little behind Waterloo). Went there a month or so ago and some of the imagery and displays (though they can't relive the horror in its enormity) just a little of what it may have been like. The destruction of land, people drowning in craters they were so deep, the depth of trenches and the speed of which weaponry became more automated and more reckless in its sophistication. Frightening.
We are commemorating the Accrington And Barnsley Pals links with a swapping of commemorative pennants before kick off. Wreaths were last week laid at Accrington and Barnsley Pals' memorials.