My town, My Club

We hear this most games. But what does this really mean.

Today I went to watch the team train. I sat in glorious sunshine watching my players train. It was a diversion from what is a high pressure, role managing a division of 400 people, 200m USD, delivering to shareholders, satisfying customers and securing people. A vast difference to chilling with my son watching people kick a ball about. So despite it not being cool. I liked watching em. It was a diversion for me, a time to listen (not talk) with my son who is way more in tune with BFCs next move than me. I got to listen to people who have watched my team far more than me. I have only been a supporter 40+ years. It's good to hear the stories and put things into perspective. I learnt a good friend and work colleague, a Huddersfield town supporter is terminally ill. We bonded through work, football and being from Yorkshire.

On game days again with my lad I watch a game that shows passion. If not from the team, But from us two. I drink Acorn Barnsley bitter after a week of drinking Weissbier, Korskinkova or Perroni. I chat with old and new mates. I listen and learn when all week people look to me to lead. I am humbled by more knowledgable people on football, including my son. We support a collective goal. We shout together, sing together and moan together. Well maybe we have the odd difference, On Monday morning I go back to pressure and pain wearing a shirt and tie, despite it being uncool to wear a BFC shirt at games as an adult (according to some)

We win we lose. We hope. We want to win every game, it's what I go for, to win games. To be entertained. To win championships. To topple the big guys. Buts it's not everything.

This is why it's my team and my club. Why is it yours.

 

Any jobs at your place, Neil?

 

what if its NOT my (or anybody elses) town though. ive seen and heard a lot of negative stuff if your not from the taarn.

I agree with a lot of that stuff though Icer, about how monday mornings feel great or like sh*t with your friends and work friends, and this was always the case at school as well. i want to be entertained and i dont think this is asking for too much. i can see when effort is being put in and i wont put up with lacklustre stuff which we're seeing far too much of these days.

 

Hahah I finally get my creative side expressed and then what...? WHITEY Lol. Let's talk, you owe me a pint I recall!

 

The thing is ST, my lad is now old enough to educate me on football. I started watching at age of 8. My brother (younger) always educated me, just not at footy lol. The common denominator though is my club has always been the backdrop.

 

Bobby's testimonial? Meeting Roy around midday.

 

Your boy is like me at that age, a sponge for football information. I miss those years. I was lucky enough to be watching my team on the up and up though at that age, Prem etc. Must be hard work being a young reds fan these days.

 

The big question. Where did the Bon Jovi tune go to?

 

thanks for the reply Icer, and yes i can see what you mean when it comes to brothers. im from west yorkshire btw and im the youngest, and my elder brothers wanted me to support leeds. you get to the point in life when you make your own choices though, and i made my mind up that i hated that white sh*ite and wanted nothing to do with the club.

 

I really enjoyed reading that.

I was a season ticket holder until work took over, I worked in food retail from the age of 19 and now and self employed and saturday is my busiest day and the bills (unfortunately) come above 22 blokes kicking a pigs bladder around.

I started watching the reds, when all of my mates watched the blades or owls. WHY? well my dad is blind - some of you may remember a blind man coming into schools all around barnsley with his guide dog, doing talks to the kiddies about being blind. He went when the old disabled stand was only accessible through the away stand - i remember many of times when we were held in behind rows of coppers until the away fans had been escorted away then sneak out through the back doors.
Dad raised money to replace the old headphone sets which have their own commentary and also to replace the "glass" because it was so scratched and cloudy he always said even a blind man couldn't see through them.

The bug started and in my teens i became a special constable and policed every match i could, even though i had a season ticket - i know weird! get in free anyway or get in free but do a job!!

in 1996 i ran on the pitch - i cried - cleggy and I hugged in wild celebrations.
the past 10 years of supporting them a blur. a past. a history.

now its just stuck, i love supporting the reds, i had a crappy tattoo done when i was 16 that looks awful but its my reminder that i love the reds no matter how **** my tattoo is and the team is.

this is my team, its my club and its my barnsley.

 

I'm the brother sloppy tyke and he did what I told him.

 

are you telling me Tingley that your a closet Leeds scumbag ? lol
for what it counts, im from wakey anyway (or near that area).

 

Did you also tell him that if you're on a Lambretta never jump off? Just stay on and enjoy the fall down a man hole?

 

When we had the street party not so long ago I had my reds shirt on all day. I was on wind up duty.

 

My town my club is really important to me, you should be proud of where you come from..

 

But have a phrase that says "my town" assumes every Barnsley fan were born in Barnsley or live in Barnsley.

 

That slogan isn't used anymore is it?

Tell you the worst one - 'The Yorkshire Club'. As used by Huddersfield. Absolutely bizarre.

 

'S just an empty marketing phrase.

'Give Us Your Money. We Might Spend It On Some Decent Players. Note The 'Might'.'

That'd be more accurate.

 

Two reasons why it's my team, or Town, and my club:

(1) It was my Dad's team & we were born in Baaaarnsli.
(2) I love the fact that we're a small club who like to battle for everything. It's how I see the people of Barnsley & it makes my association with the club stronger. I could never follow a glory club.

When I was younger & saw what a business/corporate shambles our club was ... it used to make me ashamed.
I now don't care. I like that we're a bit tin-pot. We're pretty rubbish at most things & would emerge from a bag of tits sucking our thumbs.
Underdogs. Adversity. Punching above our weight.
Call it what you will - I love being a part of this club. All the others can ballax.

My affection for this club is as big as Whitey's forehead.

 

You ought to attend a few games then you ******.