Today is a day I and my family will never ever forget and its all thanks to our amazing football club. Some background from my out burst...my dad was 90 (well 12th october) and we...well my brother decided to contact the club to see if they could do anything special. My dad you see, in the 1970s was a footy scout at the club and despite anyone and everyone claiming to spot Anton Outalakowski...he did. My dad did loads for the club before he left with players but Anton was the one that really stood out. To the club and mainly Beth....thank you sooooo much for making today just the best ever. All in top secret we arrived at the ground and were taken care of professionally and respectfully by the staff. The meeting between them was like something off a film...they hadn't seen each other for years...cue massive hugs and questions and then the interview with the both of them for the media team. I was literally ready to burst with pride. We then went to the old tea rooms under the west stand and dad was given a presentation of bfc memorabilia and a visit from his old mate Barry Murphy. Anton is a wonderfully engaging, sympathetic and highly polished man....a gentleman and nothing was too much trouble....especially with the hundreds of questions we had for him...which he effortlessly answered with great clarity and patience. We sat with him all match and again talked forever about the game in front of us. Thank you BFC,(media team) for making my dad so wanted and going the extra mile and half for making his day...and myself and my brother. Anton you are a bigger star now then you ever were in a reds shirt. I'm naturally disappointed with the performance today but not with that from our club and how they treated one of their best scouts from way back.
Thats just brilliant mate, I remember you telling me about your dad, it's so good the club organised something for you, it's things like this that make you proud to be a red.
Nice to see that Anton was so endearing and fair play to the Club. Always nice to hear of the elation these arrangements bring. I was gutted when Mr Otulakowski left the club, along with Martin Gorry, back in '76.
Honest to god...Anton was amazing ....what an absolute gentleman. I can't praise the club highly enough. My dad has a few stories from back in the day but Anton just blew us all away. We lose a game of football (and we were poor today) but what the club did for dad was emmence...he kept saying they should let him on for free for all he did (tongue in cheek) but this more than made up for anything and everything. Wish my dad would have stayed at barnsley tbh...they would have had some ace players but my dad, me, my brother and his son...all dyed in the wool reds.....and always will be.
We'll get the reunion video on by Monday hopefully buddy. Glad everyone involved had a great day (ignoring the 90 minutes).
Oh god...thank you...I'm terrible at photos and I know the interview you guys did was immencece. Thank you again to you and all the team. At some point ill tell you about some stuff that was duscussed...including McCarthy (mick) nearly been released...don't think mick knows!!
Fantastic post John. Brilliant for Colin. Sounds like a brilliant day. Hope I might catch up with you both at the Grimethorpe Miners Memorial in December. Would be good to see him again after all this time. Spent my whole time at St MM trying to impress him ….. in vain! Spk soon.
I like threads like this. The human element at Barnsley F.C is second to none in my book. I suffer from mental health issues. I've always been able to talk to people. As fans, as people both online and in person. Big shout out for @Jack Tatty (Formerly LouisBalfour) top bloke.