James William Riley born Barnsley 1883 became BFC's first official mascot - he was the mascot at the 1912 Cup Final. He was known as Amos since childhood. As well as being club mascot Amos would be seen dressed in full riding gear and wearing a large flowery hat at the local Feasts riding one of Bywaters donkeys. He lived on Shaftesbury Road Stairfoot and worked at Rylands Glassworks. Sadly Amos was fatally injured when he was knocked down by a bus when crossing Barnsley Road Stairfoot on 23 October 1937. He never marrid and is buried in an unmarked grave in Ardsley Cemetery.
Think it should be Shaftesbury Street, and Doncaster Road, Stairfoot. Oh, and Ardsley Cemetery is actually in Stairfoot
I also thought Amos was a Donkey there's a well-known photo of Amos the Donkey outside the old Clarance pub which used to be Barnsley's headquarters.
Theres a couple of things anout that scene outside the Clarence that are not immediately apparent. The locals looking out of the tap room window. The poster advertising our next home game with Leeds City behind the Donkey. Amos holding an umbrella with BARNSLEY on it and wearing his "Yorkshires last hope" jumper. Finally Charlie Waite, Landlord of the Clarence and Director of the club standing in the doorway. Iconic scene. Did any of you old uns remember being in the Clarence. I recall the Alambra Theatre and occasionally played pool pre match in a building opposite but Im sure this wasnt the pub.
I have been in the Clarance at the very bottom of Sheffield road I remember when you walked in, the room was very long with a piano at the very top but its that long ago and owd memory in't as good nar days. We used to call in the Clarance then up to Old Warrior which was somewhere top side of the Alambra roundabout. So Amos was that fella riding the Donkey and not the Donkey you learn something every day.
