Now then Next WSB is out next month and will mark the 20th anniversary of that Bradford game. I'd like to get as many people's memories of the day as possible, mainly based around how it felt - what went through your head when Clint slotted that in? How was the night after? What did it mean to you? Feel free to post it on here or email weststandbogs@gmail.com Cheers
Not ashamed to admit but I had tears when final whistle blew, went onto pitch for the celebrations then into town for a couple of beers. Went back to my dads pub in Thurlestone to carry on celebrations well into Sunday morning. Had a stint on karaoke singing cheer up Mark McGhee. Great days and still get goosies now watching Clint and Wilkinsons goals.
Heres some memories again via Yorkshire telly and John Helm. And remember they almost went down that day, you cant help but feel sorry for Kammy. Unbelievable Jeff
My strongest memory of the day was when Sundgott (I think that was his name) hit the post in the second half when it was easier to score. I knew then that it was our day. At the end when me and my dad went on the pitch we found the muddy mark on the post. My dad was just short of his 77th birthday and had supported Barnsley since his family moved to Thurnscoe from Sunderland in 1932 when he was 12 and he always used to say "They won't go up, they don't want to go up" etc. That day certainly brought a tear to his eyes. We went out for a meal in a local pub near Wath and the first thing a Man U supporting moron said to us was "You'll be down again next year". Lovely chap.....
Memories of 1997 We had won our first 6 games of that 1996/97 campaign, but Bolton had slowly hauled us back, and by April they were long gone. Wolves were our main rivals and with Steve Bull up top, they had won 3-1 at Oakwell a few weeks before to bring us back into range, but they had stuttered in mid-week and had failed to win their game in hand to leave us within one win of promotion. We had two games left, but our best chance of the three points that we needed to be sure would be the home game against relegation threatened Bradford City. In spite of our success that season, crowds had not been great. There were less than 7,000 there to see us beat Swindon a month or so earlier, but today the ground was packed, and everyone in red was there to see a glorious end, and enjoy the resulting celebrations. But we all knew how many times we had seen glory almost within our grasp, and as perennial chokers, we all knew how many times we had seen it wrestled away from us at the last. Surely it could not happen again. We scored early through Wilkinson, and we sat back into our seats to witness a relaxing and easy victory, a jog to the finishing line. But it did not turn out like that. It never does. Nerves took over as the players felt the weight of expectations. Our play turned from silky smooth to rough as sandpaper. City came back into the game and hit a post. We were hanging on to our lead and defending desperately. Danny Wilson knew he could do nothing. It was all about the character of those wearing the red and white. The team either had the will and the guts to win, or it didn’t. There were minutes remaining and each second ticked by like minutes. The fans were willing the referee to put us out of our misery, to signal that not only the match, but a wait of 120 years was over. That we would see something that none of the previous generations of Barnsley supporters before us had seen. We all desperately, desperately wanted to see our team play in the top division. Then out of the confusion, out of that maelstrom of tensions and emotions, the ball reached Clint Marcelle with just one defender in his path. He feinted left, and took it right. A space opened up in front of him and he took his shot. Time stood still until the net rippled. The relief of tension could be felt in the roar that greeted the goal. All around me, there were tears, and I was not one to be left out. Our wait was over, and we no longer needed the referee to tell us. Clint had done that job for him.
Any sort of deadline for this Dyson as I want to have a good crack at it rather than writing it on the lav at work. Probably get chance sometime later today or tomorrow evening. Sent from space using satellites and things
I cried got to admit it - I didn't go on the pitch at first. I just sat in my seat looking around and trying to take it all in. Eventually I walked into to the turf but only for a short while. Friend of my mine was in the West Stand so went to meet him outside. Remember the Bradford fans on their coaches applauding us as we walked past them. The night was a blur - went to some pubs in Monk Bretton - all heaving and all celebrating. Ended up in lock in at the Pheasant til about 2:30. Next day was a blur - remember buying all the papers I could get my hands on. Still remember the day as if it was yesterday and the match worn/signed shirt from the game has pride of place in my home.
We went camping in Snowdonia for Spring Bank Holiday a few weeks later and I was wearing my Barnsley shirt, a Liverpool fan said "what's the team mate?" (must have had poor eyesight) so I said "The only unbeaten team in the Premier League"......
I remember listening to the Wolves vs Grimsby game on Radio 5 the wednesday before and when the full-time whistle went I was elated with the fact that we could be promoted on the Saturday at Oakwell and I'd be there to see it.
Was about the only match I missed all season. I was on a tour bus heading to liverpool listening to radio 2, trying to get updates
Remember the day very well. At the time I was (and still am) working at Koyo Bearings up in Dodworth. Worked 8am while noon but used the term worked very loosely as my head was in bits. Met up with a mate and couple of lads (he had brought a change of clothes for us all for the evening) as he parked just behind Outpost pub where his gran lived. Had a few bevvies in town then down to Oakwell. Remember the walk down being a wet walk as weather was lousy. Sat in East stand upper tier near port end. Game was a blur. Remember the few chances we had and their sitter and thought someone was looking down on us that day. Clint sealed it and at full-time we eventually got on the pitch. Made out way back to mates car to get changed and then headed into town. Wow. Peel Square was a sight to behold. Nothing but people and beer bottles. Bought a Green un. Ended up in Theatre pub on Wellington street. No turn on that evening so I ran on to top stage holding front page of Green Un up for all to see. Euphoria. Was in one of the drunkest states I have ever been in my life. Happiest hangover ever the morning after. Still have that copy of the Green Un by the way.
Ooh actually, you're wrong about there been no turn on at the theatre that night fella. There was a band on and when the mob I was out with got in there fairly early doors, all the chants erupted. At the first the band encouraged it joining in. Eventually the noise just drowned out the band and they called it a night haha.. What a superb day and night that was. One of my mates a hudders fan came to the match with me, ended up asleep pissed up on the speakers which were full at blast in the old lib club on Wellington street... People swinging off the streetlights in Peel square...good job that rusty come wasn't outside the town hall at that time, it would have been chaos.
Well i never knew that. Did you also know that on the night following the infamous Gary Willard Liverpool game the turn due on at the Theatre that night was a Beatles tribute act (honestly) needless to say they were pulled from performing for their own safety
Ha, no..must not have gone out that night... probably at home watching a re-run of the match grrrr... used to enjoy the theatre with a decent band on, soon went downhill though, shame.
If nothing else that day will mean that CEEFAX gained immortality - it's proclamations across town the equivalence of a town crier. Every pub was the same - but specifically for me the memory is of stood in Browns- crammed in like Sardines - jumping up and down with boisterous recommendations that Mr McGhee should cheer up with Ceefax page 325 on hold - the phoshor in definite danger of permanently burning in the table to the CRT screens - with the legend League One Top - Green Promoted - Amber Playoffs and there in glorious 16 colour lime green Bolton 97 - Barnsley 80 and Wolverhampton Wanderers in dreary yellow - on 76. I can't remember how many times that night I subtracted 76 from 80 just to check I wasn't dreaming. But CEEFAX - you rock baby.
