Not a new member

I can't remember if I introduced myself properly and would like to tell you all a tale...

Back on a cold winters day in 1991 a young boy was to witness his first game of football at Oakwell. A Yorkshire derby versus the mighty Leeds. My only memories of this game is my old man shouting over to Gordon Strachan "Watch your mouth in front of the kids!" and that it was cold stood out in the open of the brewery stand.

Growing up in the beautiful Dearne Valley there were not too many fellow Barnsley supporters in my school year. Most of my friends followed Wednesday for some unknown reason? Not to be deterred, I stuck with my team and as if by some kind of miracle in 1997 it felt like everybody had a season ticket down at Oakwell.

Although my dad attended more regular, my second game was v Spurs in the 1998 FA Cup replay. I remember walking around the corner of the west stand and can see the players warming up on the floodlit pitch as if it were yesterday. This time we sat in the much warmer west upper and this was to be the game that would have me hooked. Darren Barnards left foot may have had something to do with it too.

Skip forward a few more years and I would land the dream job of working behind the scenes at Oakwell. The day to day work could be pretty mundane but on a match day I would escort the away managers to the various press areas so got to meet quite a few characters. I also experienced walking in on a freshly showered Dave Bassett and have first hand experience of being inside Toby Tyke!

Sadly with the collapse of ITV digital and our administration I saw what can happen in the business world and decided to get myself back to college. Though my time at Oakwell was a short three years it changed my life forever. If it wasn't for my time there I may never have met my wife and gone onto create my little family, for this I will be forever grateful. My children's first match was as mascot and ball sponsor of the Yeovil match in 2013 and is hopefully something they too can remember in years gone by.

I haven't had a season ticket for a few years now. I only manage a few games a season but enjoy keeping up to date via you lovely people so thank you for that

I hope that this introduction has entertained you or at least helped pass some time. I am writing this whilst receiving trial medication at The Christie in Manchester for a rare bone cancer which currently resides in most of my vertebrae, hips, pelvis, ribs and skull. A seven year fight to which I will continue to give all I can to. Please all remember that we never know what is around the corner and to always treat others as you would like to be treated yourself. We're all in this together for what is looking to be another fantastic year for the super reds. Long may it continue!

Thanks for reading

Wishing you all the best in whatever life may bring

Spongebob

 

All the very best to you fellow red.....

 

Al the very best to yourself and your family ,
You all have nothing but my very best regards and wishes upon you all and hope you are all down at Oakwell for many years to come
Good luck mate.x

 

Best wishes and all the luck in the world with your fight against this awful disease

 

Proper post, puts things into perspective . I'll be thinking of you today pal, hope it gives you strength .

 

Wow that puts so much into perspective.......nothing but best wishes to you and your family in your ongoing battle and hopefully the Reds can keep on giving you a boost along the way!!!!!

 

All the very best bob, it’s rare to hear from someone who has actually been Toby Tyke!

As a fellow dearne valley kid I too had a million Wednesday fans in my year at school, they were that massive! I left dearneside comp in 1990 and heard they had to rebuild it soon afterwards

 

Wishing you all the very best.
My wife has recently won a long and often painful battle against cancer
Keep fighting the good fight

 

I can empathise with you Spongebob. In 2014 I was diagnosed with a tumour at the
base of my tongue. I underwent an intensive programme of Chemo/ Radio therapy
and have had to attend the Head and Neck Clinic at Pinderfields for examination
every three months since. I am one of the very lucky ones , in that I have been told, that my
appointment in March will be final one and after that , I will be discharged because I am now
clear. I sincerely hope that your trials are a success bud and you are able to get on with your
life. The trust in my Doctors and Nurses and my Oncologist, the support of my family and my
love of Barnsley FC and taking part in discussions about the Club, kept me going and made me
determined I would remain positive throughout. I am sure all members of the BBS wish you well
and are behind you and send their collective best wishes for your future.

 

Blimey, I wasn't expecting that ending. Best of luck to you.

My 10 year old daughter is being treated at the Royal Marsden in a similar fashion to you. A very humbling experience and puts kicking a ball about into perspective.

 

Some of the posts on this thread make sobering reading indeed. My thoughts go out to all of you who are suffering, or have suffered, from this disgusting disease. As Brunner quite rightly says, football is insignificant against these issues.

 

All the very best to your daughter and all your family from the Marlon household .

 

All the best from here too..... your post has put into perspective all the carp posted on here.

Football is hopefully a welcome distraction for ya in these tough times.

 

Every good wish to your daughter and your family BrunNer. Please stay strong and try
to keep your spirits up. When I was first diagnosed, the worst part was the fear of the
unknown. After the initial shock, I became determined to fight and tried to remain positive.
The support from my Specialist, Dietician, Speech Coach and Macmillan Nurses has been incredible.
At the times I've felt a bit sorry for myself, they've telephoned me for a chat and soon got me smiling
again. Absolutely selfless dedicated professionals each and everyone of them.

 

Thanks Donny Red, awesome to hear that you are now clear. Despite its progression I still consider myself lucky that mine is slow growing which fortunately buys me time that others are not able to have. I also try to remain positive where I can, though some days can get dark having a young family can be a nice distraction and your football team doing well is another

 

Thanks BrunNer, I also visited the Royal Marsden and was really impressed with the set up there. I know your daughter will be in good hands. If you ever need a chat/let off some steam send me a message.

 

Threads like this really do put things into perspective. Best wishes Spongebob, I hope you beat this vile disease and continue to enjoy watching the reds for many years to come.

 

All the very best Spongebob, I hope you get rid of the disease soon. Keep fighting