Promotion Games

Barnsley V Grimsby 8th May 1979
Barnsley V Newport County 5th May 1981

Two games where promotion was clinched.
Does anybody know if any of them were broadcast live on the wireless?

Atmosphere must have been ace inside Oakwell.

 

Not true in 1981- promotion was clinched on 28th April with a 1-0 win against Rotherham. The atmosphere in both those games was fantastic

 

Thats right my mistake. The Newport game we could have still won the league.

 

The Grimsby game is my favourite of all time: it changed everything and we ultimately moved forward towards being a well established 2nd division (championship) club.
I think i shed a tear.
I know i was far more emotional then than when we got promoted to the premiership (although this was one of the best social days out ever).

 

It was more than ace on both occasions.

First one: 21,000 on the ground for a Fourth Division game. Took the lead through John Saunders, who’d just been told he’d been given a free transfer. Pegged back by a Mike Lester goal (joined us the following season), then went on to get the winner through Derek Bell. Cue unbelievable scenes.

Second one: had to win by four clear goals and Rotherham lose if we were to be Champions. Half time we’re winning 1-0. Rotherham losing (they did go behind but may actually have been level by HT). Second half - cometh the hour, cometh the man. Sir Ronnie blasts a hat trick in short order and we’re 4-0 up. Newport pull one back and we hit the bar (Glyn Riley?). In the end Rotherham won 2-1 so we finished second to the team we’d wiped the floor with.

No doubt Big Lil will correct any inaccuracies.

 

Agreed. I'll never forget that night.

 

One of my favourite games ever as well .
The atmosphere was phenomenal with Grimsby fans in the Brewery stand trying to provoke the home crowd .
there was a radio report about that game posted on here a few years ago.

 

I'd love to hear this!

 

It was posted on the old site maybe ten years ago or so but it’s good old pathe news type reporting

 

I was at the Rotherham match with my grandpa. It was my first football match - and he hoped I'd follow Rovrum rather than Barnsley.

Unsprisingly I've got quite a few distinct memories of this match - first of all I was lifted over the wall as it was going mental and my Grandpa was scared I'd be crushed. Being only a little un it meant I actually got to watch the game. Glad that doesn't happen anymore.

Secondly - the smell of a pipe. Always takes me back to this game and whilst I'm glad there's no smoking at football I'm firmly of the opinion anyone over 70 should be allowed to smoke a pipe where they hell they want.

Thirdly Rotheram's goal was scored by a bald - guy - not one of these blokes with a shaved head. A proper bald dome - with long hair round the side - like the comedian Mick Miller. Can't remember seing it since. Seemed odd at the time - like some bloke out of the stand had been asked to strap his boots on!

 

Rodney Fern?

 

Shouldn't that be in the Bush thread?

 

Only if he's hanging over your garden wall and causing a nuisance.

 

Gary Gardner would have sorted him out.

 

Apparently he kept Hedges in shape last season.

 

He was a very shy and privet person with a cultivated left foot

 

It was Rodney Fern who included Leicester amongst his clubs. Good player and one of those who always seemed to play well against us.

I was at that Rotherham game - crowd over 26,000 - and the atmosphere was incredible. They had a decent side but I will never understand how we came second to them. They had been bigger than us for a while (their Second Division/our Fourth Division days) but that season we were better than them in every department. Perhaps Ronnie Moore tipped the balance for them with his goals. We should have been champions but going up was pretty special. It always is. I don't care WHAT division we are playing in. Getting promoted is just fantastic!

 

Missed the Rotherham game but went to the Grimsby and Newport ones.

I don't know if I would have been writing on here now if we hadn't had those good times under Clark and Hunter, as lots of us young lads were attracted by the success.

I always think that unless it's in the family then there has to be a hook like a promotion season to grab the attention.

 

Anyone remember thousands of Reds fans singing “We’ve got more hair than you, Rodney Fern, Rodney Fern” to the tune that used to be on the tv ad for British Airways “We’ll take more care of you, fly the flag”?

Seemed like it went on for most of the game.

 

I was just going to post that!