Back in the 1985/86 season, we entertained the champions-elect Norwich City. They had some top players in their side at the time (Steve Bruce, Dave Watson, Chris Woods, John Deehan, Kevin Drinkell to name just a few). It had been a bit of a surprise they'd been relegated from the top flight at the end of the previous season, just a couple of months after winning the League Cup. David Hirst gave us an early lead with a powerful shot at the Kop end, before City hit back with two goals (from Deehan & Drinkell, I think) to lead 2-1 at half time. In the second half, Barnsley took the game to Norwich and continually pressed them backwards. Eventually, we equalised, but it wasn't without a little controversy. Gwyn Thomas smashed an effort goalwards, it hit the underside of the bar, bounced down then out back into play. Norwich played on, Barnsley claimed a goal. The referee & linesman decided it was a goal, though neither were in a particularly good position. The match ended 2-2 and the debate amongst the home fans went on for quite a few days after. In those years, we stood on the Ponty End, at the point where the terracing curved round to the fencing separating the Ponty from the terracing in front of the old stand. We were looking down the goal line and couldn't agree amongst ourselves whether the ball had crossed the line. I and a few others admitted we couldn't tell, but given how quickly everything had happened, we said no goal. Others said it was quite blatantly over the line. http://www.barnsley-mad.co.uk/results_service/1985_1986/1/feb/index.shtml
That's where me and my dad used to stand, leaning on the crush barrier. I remember when we signed David Geddis and his first game was against Grimsby, I think he got 2 in a 3-1 win, the other being scored when Geddis crossed the ball from about a foot behind the goal line for Tony Cunningham to nod in.
One evening the following week, I popped into the chippy on Station Road in Dodworth. Whilst getting served, the owner asked me about the match & Thomas' goal and I gave the same answer I posted at the start of the thread. Someone behind me in the queue said the ball had clearly crossed the line. I just shrugged my shoulders, paid for my order and left. A few minutes later, as I was walking down High Street, I heard someone running behind me. It was the man from the queue. He stood in my way and demanded I changed my opinion, or he wouldn't let me pass! After laughing at him, I gave him some advice on sex & travel and continued on my way.
Goodness knows why he was so angry about it. I could only comment on what I'd seen. Also, I found him as intimidating as a blancmange!
I can't forget the game when Norwich relegated us in 2002. We saved a first half penalty, but went on to lose 2-0. To make matters worse, we hardly put up a fight.
Are you sure about that, mate? I thought Bellamy had long since left Norwich before that terrible day.
I thought he had. Didn't he play a season at Coventry then sold on to Newcastle by the season in question?
That was what I was thinking, mate. But my memory's about as reliable as an unreliable thing these days.
The first match I saw against Norwich was a home games under Davey where we lost 3-1, we were 3-0 down in the 1st half and Istvan scored and then we outplayed them 2nd half but couldn't get anymore back. We then lost the season after 3-1 at home as well.
Second game of the season 1981/2 At Carrow Road, as I didn't get to Oakwell for the first match (Bolton won 3-0) this was my first match in Division 2. We drew 1-1. Can't remember the scorer. I remember coming out of the ground feeling so proud of my club and the team, we were expected to lose and eventually be relegated back to Division 3 but went on to finish 6th just 4 points behind Norwich and promotion. If there had been playoffs that year we'd have won them.