Who made you fall in love with football?

We have/ had Dads, no shame big,lil. We mostly remember ar Mams fo some reason, bless em all ​

 

Bob Earnshaw, Eric Winstanley, John Bettany. Loads of players after that.
Never thought we’d go to Wembley, never thought we’d play in’t second tier ne’ermind premiership. Barnsley have been a fantastic investment for me in time, money and emotion. I’ve been paid back every moment and every penny.
Funny what self isolating does for you isn’t it.

 

I could go back to George Hamstead who was probably my first favourite but i was only a kid and football wasnt that important to me at the time. I started going week in week out in 1975. Barely missed a home game for the next 23 years and saw many, many away. The first player who really lit the fuse was Brian Joicey. With him in the side Barnsley became a force to be reckoned with.
I'm glad he did because i was hooked by the time Ronnie Glavin arrived and seeing him every week was magical.

 

Best BFC team by a long long way. The excitement they created was out of this world. Just been on Look North that Norman is seriously ill in hospital with Corona Virus, get well soon Norman.

 

Probably Bobby Charlton and England winning the World Cup in 1966. It never really bothered me much before that even though I sometimes went to Oakwell with my dad.

 

but isn't something being missed here - of course we loved some players and got/get a lot of pleasure watching them - but what of the social aspect of going to Oakwell.
We meet up with friends pre-match - we meet the same people at each match - we are made to feel very welcome at Oakwell - we are encouraged to be part of the place - we are made to feel valued (but perhaps not to the same degree at all times!!) -
we feel we should have a say in what happens there - we feel part of the organisation. And being able to 'talk football' can be socially useful. (My son interviewed for University by Barnsley man and BFC supporter - interview consisted of almost all football talk - son offered a place at Uni.)

How many of us have taken youngsters to a match - seen that youngster become more confident and over the years evolve from someone who wouldn't let go of your hand at the first match to someone who grew in confidence and a few years later preferred to sit with his mates.

If Oakwell was unwelcoming then watching football wouldn't be much fun however good the players are.

As we drive over Bala Street/Belgrave Road we see Oakwell and we get a good/happy feeling - we love the place!

And surely if a sheep-shagger like me can feel that then you Tykes must feel the same!

 

My first encounter with BFC in the mid 50's still going strong even today. Sharp, Wood, Swift, Smillie, McCann, Chappel Kaye and Harry Harry Harry Hough are just some of the players from that era.

 

This ^^^^^^
And George Best.
Watched wendies prior to that. My mates dad took us. ( sadly he died pretty young. And my cousin introduced me tut tarn.) But I really fell in love with football with the tarn. Has been an obsession ever since. To the extent though. That my passion is now just confined to Barnsley. Still love the game but have no interest in watching anyone else. On tv etc. May watch an odd highlights programme. But only if we won .
I seriously would struggle to name any premier players unless they’ve pulled on an England shirt. When we play an opposing side I would not be able to name any of their players. ( unless one's played for us in the past. )

 

Been with my dad week in week out and the day out that goes with it, intake my daughter now and I go as if I’m going with my best mate, we have a laugh, few beers (me not her) act about, and make most of day!!

 

Paul Merson. Class player. He had his off field issues but as a kid at the time I just listened to my Dad crying him down saying he was naughty and liked him even more. I used to go out with my Mitre football in backyard, stick my sister in goal and curl em' in off washing line post to back hedge and run round yelling Merson, Merson.

Later it became Andy Payton as my Dad took me to Oakwell and he liked a crack from distance for a centre forward. I've always liked attacking players that could take it first time if they "wanted to".

In that period Barnsley were blessed in that regard with Redders and co.

I'd also like to apologise for some inane posts recently.

 

Loved Norman when he managed reds, always felt like one of the lads

This was the side that floated my BFC boat that is still afloat today

 

Definitely. Love going knowing that all these famous footballers played on the pitch, thinking of all those who watched and cheered and despaired over the centuries and sharing the joy and despair with fellow fans as well as friends and family.

 

It was my Grandad that first took me to Oakwell 1954/5 season we used to go to every home game but I cannot remember much about them times only my Grandad standing me on top of the dugouts which were near to the corner flags in which the St. Johns medic team sat in, and have been going ever since. My granddad was at Bramall lane when we won the cup, I'm very proud of that fact.

 

Remember playing Leicester in the cup in 1969. Made up wi cold, but not prepared to miss it. Went to see Clarke who was up and coming at the time. Went away impressed with Andy Lochhead one of the hardest strikers and best headers of a ball I’d ever seen. We drew 1-1 and lost the replay 2-1. Met Andy who was the steward of a club in Burnley.

 

At Home games meet up in the mount with my Son, My Granddaughter, My Brother. His Grandkids. x3 My Brother in law. ( From Donny. I took him to oakwell around 40 yrs ago he's had the bug ever since) His daughter. We all sit together in the ground Joined by 2 cousins, and one of their sons and grandson. And a couple of friends .
Away. I travel with Hoyland reds. ( And we've been travelling to all away games since 1995/6) We all know each other (from all parts of barnsley Tarn, Athersley. Mapplewell, Midgley, wombwell. Darfieid Hoyland and surrounding areas, ) we have a great rapport. 3 hrs in pubs. Onto game.
What's not to like.

 

The 76/77 season was my first proper season. I'd been to a few games prior to that with my Dad, but this was the season that I started to go with my mates. Oakwell was a magical place for a 16 year old (and still is for a 58 year old!).

It was a season that taught me about the highs and lows of football. A fairly successful season had us looking optimistically up at the next tier. When we beat top of the table Cambridge Utd 2-1 at home, with a handful of games remaining, it was one of those nights that you never want to end. Anything seemed possible.

Sadly we lost the next two games, one of them being the 4-3 defeat at home to Exeter City - a bizarre game that still defies rational explanation. I've spent 40 odd years trying to erase it from my memory, to no avail.

My heroes back then were Springett, Murphy, Gorry, Chambers, Saunders, Burke, Millar, Pugh, Brown, Joicey, Peachey, Price... and a bloke called Warnock.

The following season, me and my mate joined the supporters club and started going to away games. I was well and truly addicted, and Mick McCarthy was quickly added to the heroes list.

Seems like only yesterday....

 

Wasnt Horn just an understudy for Gary Pierce or have I got the wrong season?

 

I don’t really like football.

 

Mi Dad, Grandad, and Uncle Wilf.
Taken from been 3 year old. Can't remember too much but certainly from about 1964 I started to realise I was part of something special. Barry Thomas and Johnny Evans brought the first bit of success but the signing of Allan Clarke really changed the face of Barnsley FC forever and brought us into the modern era.
The side under Norman Hunter played arguably the most exciting football ever seen at Oakwell but couldn't quite make it to the top flight but I will never forget the outlet of emotion stood on the hallowed turf with my 2 sons after securing promotion to the premiership, years of sadness and joy and just wishing that those who started me off on this incredible journey could have been there to witness it.
We may have differing views on a wide range of topics across the BBC but at the end of the day we are all bound together by this mighty team.
Once a Red, Always a Red!!!
And to Les, Arthur and Wilf, Thank you for making me part of this

 

The 88 Dutch team was amazing, watching the likes of Van Basten and Gullit when I was nearly 8 made me want to watch more football. At that time I was hooked only on Cricket, mainly watching the West Indies players who I thought were gods.