Twenty two years ago today

In the pen pictures under "where are they now " segment in the Fulham programme, it says that Scott Jones
is a fitness coach and a commentator. On the latter, I think I've heard him as guest summariser on Radio Sheffield.

 

Reason I asked is I saw him in what looked like builders gear walking along the footbridge at Meadowhall railway station.

 

Twenty two years, where has that time gone.? I will never forget that game even though I couldn't go.
In my spare time, I worked as a Youth Worker for Wakefield Council. One of my co-workers who lived
near Locke Park was tasked with re-writing the Authorities Code of Practice and obtained permission for
me to assist him.

He suggested that it might be a good idea to work at his house and I agreed. He was a smoker, so everytime
he wanted a cigarette we went outside and continued chatting in his garage. In the distance, you could see the reflection
from the lights at Oakwell and periodically you could hear fans cheering.

I recall saying to my mate that Manchester United must have brought loads of fans with them, because the cheering was very loud. I was absolutely gobsmacked when I put the radio on during the journey home, to hear we had won 3-2.
After missing that game, I vowed that I would never ever miss an important midweek home match ever again.

 

Just rewatched on youtube for the feel good factor. I'd forgotten how many chances Cole missed!

 

My memory of that game is sky focusing in on me with about 1 minute to go - had my head in my hands - then staring at my watch. Must have been a good 10 seconds. They used the clip in an advert for sky games the following month. My only claim to fame

 

It makes me feel really old. I left the Army the season we were promoted to the Premier League and like my military service a lot of it is just gently fading memories now.

 

One abiding memory for me was when Sky popped up Scott Jones' stats:-

Attempts: 2
On Target: 2
Goals: 2

What a night!

 

Oh my word, that brings back so many happy memories, but makes me sad to think where we are now. What a fantastic team that was. And what an atmosphere. Wish we could have Oakwell bouncing like that again. It's why I can't help but feel somewhat jealous of what Sheffield United have achieved. They are enjoying right now what we were that season, but they are even better. Bar stewards!

 

Can I deviate slightly. I regard the first leg as the pinnacle of watching Barnsley. 8000 Barnsley fans at old Trafford, sun setting as we kicked off, oh the atmosphere. I'd been to the away fixture in the premier League three months prior, 7:0. Everybody was laughing at us basically. I worked in Manchester and my boss booked a London hotel for cup final day when he heard the draw. We matched them technically that day. Hansen described us as magnificent, had it not been for that spineless CNT Reilly would have won then. The replay was harum scarum, rode our luck, old Trafford was skill. The team they put out was the same they put out in the champion league against mairselle the following month

 

I enjoyed that too but felt literally sick when we were denied that penalty!

 

Is my mind playing tricks on me . I seem to remember the crowd singing "You'll never walk alone" after the final whistle." Goosebump stuff.

Magic night, don't think Hendrie could believe his luck , his celebration after he scored was hardly ecstatic, as he was in total disbelief the goal was given .

 

Yep, I'd got used to the refs by then so not surprised, I was consumed by the pride of it though, we'd walked into the lions den and found the courage to be Daniel. Outside of Barnsley, the world got behind us

 

Nope your memory is fine, we sang it a fair bit that season, very poignant when we were down.

 

I once read him saying that he was ready to go bananas after scoring. However, when he looked round, he could only see United fans, he decided discretion was the better part of valour!