!956, I was 8. We beat Liverpool 4-1 with goals from Arthur Kaye (from Higham), Storey and Johnny McCann got two. Jimmy Melia, who later became Liverpool manager, got their goal. Billy Liddell was their captain that day whose twin sons were at college at Carnegie in Leeds with my wife.
My first game was just about 42 years ago. 11th April 1978 Barnsley 0 Swansea 2, both Swansea goals scored by Alan Curtis. It was a rearranged fixture and, in those days, the programme was the one from the original date with a white sleeve to update the players. I was 7 and the whole ground seemed massive. This was just before the Clarke revolution and the amazing success that would follow. That was me hooked, even tough we lost. I loved the smell of the pipe tobacco (probably not the safest in a wooden stand) and being out on a school night until 10.
1975 Barnsley 1 Shrewsbury 0 enough to hook me for life. Can’t remember who scored or crowd but remember the result.
It might have been, I googled the date to make sure, but in my mind Alan Cutis had scored both goals. Just shows how the memory fades. Still I do remember the programme as that was the first in my collection.
Swansea had some talented attacking players at the time. Curtis, James, Jeremy Charles and their player/manager John Toshack (who didn't play that night they beat us).
Memory plays some funny tricks. I would have said the first match I went to on my own would have been 1960/61/62 against QPR at home lost 0-3, my second Bradford PA lost 1-5. Can’t find any of that in the records, so I haven’t a clue.
Just had a look for you. We lost to QPR in August '61 but that was 4-2 and we played Bradford PA in April '63 and lost 4-1 at home?
12th September 1970 Barnsley 1 Aston Villa 1 As me and my dad were queuing to get in, they were bringing bleeding fans on stretchers out. Then there was a running battle on the Ponty End for much of the match. Far more exciting than the football. Unforgettable for a 10 year old. I thought Andy Lochhead (the only player I'd heard of) scored their goal, but I've just checked and he didn't.
1994 Reading at home lost 2-0. Remember cheese and onion sandwiches in social club before game and bus back to Pontefract taking ages. The ground was half empty and Reading fans were in West Stand upper tier.
Loved reading these thanks - love the early 60/70's ones. Only took notice of Barnsley during the Clarke era - not a bad place to start though. Must have been refreshing for those who watched in earlier 70's
Sounds about right that, thank you. I was 11 in ‘61, so it may have taken me a year and a half to get back. Given those results it’s a wonder I’m still here and still massively Barnsley.
I always remember bumping into Winstanley and Shotton in a pub in Wakey that night!!! Obviously couldn't face going into Tarn.