Under the column 30 years ago on page 16. A Barnsley F.C player receives the longest ever ban given to a football league player. Does any one know who the player is and why.?
Alan 'Animal' Little. Due to high number of red cards in one season. Made David Batty look like Julian Clary.
Alan Little was fearsome When he tackled somebody, he took the player, the linesman the corner flag and anyone standing in the first row of the terrace. Sometimes got the ball as well. But he had a great shot, scored some memorable goals from just outside the box, similar to Redfearn in many respects. He wouldn't last 5 minutes in today's nancy-boy game.
I remember Gerry Taggart getting a longish ban IIRC, he got sent off and finished up with a three match ban, but (in those days) the suspension didn't come into effect immediately. Unfortunately for Gerry, I think he got send off in the very next game therefore finished up getting another three match ban (making six matches in total). Anyone remember if the FA added any more on top for good measure?
alan little was a relation to brian little together with gwyn thomas the hardest player i have seen at oakwell , other than trevor hockey , god rest his sole x
RE: Alan Little was fearsome Took no prisoners Alan but that was when football was a contact sport and not played with a balloon.
Gwyn Thomas was in the team when i first started going to games, one of my favourite players. Gutted when he broke his leg
RE: alan little Alan and Brian are brothers we sold Alan to Donny who paid a club record £25.000 for him.
Don't forget Graham Pugh - didn't just look hard ... Great team that Great midfield Pugh Little Miller Banks - made his debut that season
I think that was the Chelsea cup game... No, not THAT Chelsea cup game..... We won 4-0 and Gwyn got crocked - I thought it was his knee not a broken leg, but anyway it finished his career. Remind me to tell you about the time I went on a brewery trip with him and Gerry Taggart.
RE: I think that was the Chelsea cup game... Yes it was against Chelsea in the cup. Come on then tell me about the brewery trip
Short Version Went to a charity do years ago, brewery trip was auctioned off and I got it. A week or so later, Gwyn Thomas, Gerry Gerry and Brendan O'Connell were there. It was just after Gerry Gerry joined us. Went to Tadcaster midweek, had a quick look round the brewery then got stuck in. Carnage! Finished up in Japanese Whispers I think. Seem to remember one or two people were in Whispers that night who post on here. Still got to work on time next day. Didn't get much work done though
graham roberts finished gwyn thomas not a broken leg though , knee fecked , hero. plus hard man kenny brown
Put it this way You weren't exactly in the company of two of the most "Man-Friday-esque" players to have ever played for Barnsley....... Anyway, I've just realised that in the time I've known you, this is the first reference I can ever remember to a night out where MEN were involved.... it's getting clearer.... if you can't surround yourself with women, pick some ugly blokes instead!
I never saw Gerry gerry in that way At that time, he was just a great footballer, great bloke and great drinking partner for a short while (not before matches mind )