The Mel Machin season, 90-91

Mel gave me an amazing night away at Leeds. I worked there and they were going up and we were threatened with relegation. We were one down at half time and a mate of mine worked for a company who had a box. I’ve never been patronised as much at half time: “you’ll be OK, you’ll probably stay up”. Second half he swapped a centre back for a striker and Agnew took Vinnie Jones apart and showed he was not a footballer. We won 2-1. I remember saying to them: “you’ll be OK, you’ll still go up!”

 

He definitely missed Savilles handball thow to Deehan so doubly made up for it in the replay the bent fcu]<er .........sithi.

 

With hindsight, that probably coincides with his wife being unwell - although I missed most of that season due to living in Oxford. I think I only saw a small number of games.

 

He coached my grandson recently. Some link to Worsbrough Bridge MW I think.

 

I was there with my ex wife, stood in that uncovered corner area. Remember getting pelted with coins at the final whistle!

 

One of my all-time favourite BFC players in that team, Brendan O'Connell. No more than a decent footballer, but contributed way more than his natural ability should have allowed due to sheer effort, graft and doggedness. Chipped in with his fair share of goals too.

 

Vinnie Jones what a ****** , remember playing Leeds at home and when the players were warming up he was looking round at the home ends and pretending to look through binoculars to say where's the home support, think we stuffed em 4 nil that day and he was rubbish.

 

What a 2hat

 

Tbh. Can't remember which season it was under Machin. But most of the reserves got a look in. Experienced pro's And some of the football they played in the central league was outstanding. But he definitely had his favourites.

 

Yep it nearly went unnoticed until Brewery screamed at lino. He nearly scored with a header after he was bandaged up too.

 

My first season going to Oakwell after Italia 90 had got me into football. Before that Villa game the stewards let us stand at the bottom of the tunnel so we could get David Platts autograph when he came off the pitch after the warm up. I was so excited as a ten year old to be seeing this England star until he completely ignored me and several other kids and just ran straight past us and up the tunnel. I've never liked him ever since!

 

Interesting fact, but if you spin a teaspoon around and look at your own reflection, in the back of it, you will actually turn in to David Platt.
Try it. It truly works.

 

We eventually played Notts Forest in the Zenith cup 3rd round, on a freezing cold Wensdy night at the end of January.
(and the Gulf war had just officially started then btw, in Jan '91!!)
Cloughie brought almost a full strength Forest team that night, and I thought it was a really good end to end Cup tie.
Remember we scored 5 away at West Brom in the 1st Round, and we drew 3-3 and won on penalties away at Sheff Wensdy in the 2nd round.

 

When Big Ron was Wednesday manager and co-commentated on Sky at the same time. The kn0b.

 

What a huge disappointment it was though, when we eventually played Everton at home, in the Qtr Finals.
Leeds were waiting in the 2 legged Semis, and there was so much incentive and opportunity there for us. Not only was it a chance to beat Leeds, and get some revenge for that appalling Fa cup replay defeat there in January.
But it was also a chance of a first ever Wembley Final for us, at that time. And we blew it.
However, Mel's team were still going for the Play offs and we had that incredible 0-5 win away at Wolverhampton.
And it all came down to the last few league games...

 

I was in Germany 1990-93 so missed most of this era but I remember it was the early days of Sky Football and we could get it free on the British Forces Broadcasting Service. I watched that Hillsborough match and was amazed that they allowed their manager Ron Atkinson to be co-commentator second half. Big club I suppose. We knew our place!

 

Hey I never really thought about it at the time.
That big Ron Fatko was commenting on the match, even though he was their manager lol.
And we did em em on penalties, yesss, right down the middle.

 

Never seen us beat Everton

 

No neither have I, so damm those Everton Fc blue scousers ehh.

 

Haven't beaten them since 1951 so can't imagine many people have.