Ronnie Glavin, the best footballer ever to play for Barnsley FC. Nobody comes close since Reverend Tiverton Preedy thought about establishing a football club to present day.
I actually played in a charity match against Johnny Quinn's All Stars. I was in goal, Ronnie scored a hat trick. I really enjoyed it.
Think the OP has a point. I remember Glavin and how he would just ghost past players. However, when I look back on footage of games from those days the pace, the defending etc is nowhere near what Hammill was up against. He is the most talented player I’ve seen in a Barnsley shirt. Greatest player? Not sure. Glavin and Redfearn both fantastic. I’ll stay on the fence.
It would have to be Ronnie for me. As quick with the ball at his feet as he was without it. Redfearn was a different midfielder to Ronnie but lacked Ronnie's silky skills at getting past his opponent. Neil was more like a battering ram of a midfielder and lots of his goals came from the penalty spot.
I saw Ronnie play loads, my boyhood hero. but I’m not having it. Adam was better. The complete attacking footballer. If he had not been so daft after he left us. Could have gone back to Liverpool & maybe earned an England cap..
Hammill 20 Goals in 174 Games Currie 42 Goals in 153 Games Glavin 73 Goals in 176 Games Ward 20 Goals in 46 Games Hignett 28 Goals in 66 Games Redfearn 72 Goals in 292 Think you need to keep off the beer at Rockingham Arms dude
I grew up as part of the Glavin generation - I still buy the shirt and have his name printed on the back! But the OP does have a case. Principally because as the generations pass the players do get better. I look back on that period in the late seventies and early 80s and once I take off my rose tinted specs it's fairly clear how all players have improved over time. I'm sure this applies to earlier times as well - Tommy Taylor, Johnny Kelly, Danny Blanchflower. I don't think I've ever seen a single player influence a side as much as Hammill. Bottom of the league when he came and then - whoosh. Quite amazing the influence he had on players who then went on to show their own talents. On balance, loved Hammill, Redfearn, Mac and a good few more. But - I keep buying those shirts for a reason and that is to recognise a quite extraordinary talent that is Ronnie Glavin.
Glavin is our best ever player. Redfearn the most influential. best hair is more difficult I’m going with the Brendan O Connell curtain