Interview with John Byrne

Afternoon everyone,

Does anyone on here remember John Byrne? Played for Barnsley in the 1960s, and was part of the side that reached the fifth round of the FA Cup before going out to Man United at Oakwell.

I met up with John near his home in Preston for a pint last week and had a great chat about his career.

John spoke really fondly about his time at Oakwell and there's loads of Barnsley references in the following interview:

http://mytimeinfootball.com/John_Byrne

If you've not seen the website before, if you click on Barnsley you'll also find interviews with ex-players Mike Lester, Alan Dugdale, Andy Holt and Mike Flynn. And we've got more to upload shortly.

 

That's brilliant - thanks for uploading it.

Most on here are too young to remember Johnny Byrne, but I do. That cup run he talked about included my first ever away day with the Reds. The game at the Old Show Ground was my first away game and I was right by the corner flag at the end where we got the two late goals. Probably sat on top of the first aid shelter, which all grounds seemed to have in those days.

S****horpe and Bury were both a division above us - established Second Division clubs while were were yo-yoing between the Third and Fourth divisions. Getting a draw in that third round game was a terrific result and I remember Johnny lashing that ball in, and then we beat them in the replay of course. Bury in the next round - beat them - and then Man Utd in the fifth round. 38,076 packed into Oakwell and Barnsley played in royal blue shirts. I started the match at the back of the Ponty End but finished it on the Kop. No restrictions of movement in those days. What a thrill it was to see players like Best, Law and Charlton at Oakwell! The 0-4 result didn't really matter.

Thanks again for posting the interview. Look forward to reading more.

 

If I remember right Mike, after pulling it back to 2-2 we had a great chance to make it 3-2 but it went to replay I think Jack Brownsword their capt. And left back scored 2 pens.

 

Correct. Ru going today? Just arrived in Barnsley

 

Parked in Waltham st listening to radio a bit

 

Cu there then. Got radio on as well. Good sounding team

 

The pitch invasion when we equalised was something else. Barnsley fans appeared from all sides of the ground. Pure joy.

Getting back on the bus to go home there was an old chap who had left before the end and thought we had lost 2-0. "They're rubbish" he says - the
Reev's grandad perhaps?

The replay was a brilliant occasion - over 20,000 there and a tremendous atmosphere.

George Kerr scored our two goals in the next round if I remember correctly. He could be quite brilliant on occasion.