Fans from the days of “Iley Out”

Better than spion Kop though

 

It was no where near as bad. We at least used to win as many as we lost and scored a few goals. Yes we were in the old 4th division but it didn’t feel like this.
I really fear for us in L1 if we keep this bloke in charge and carry on the daft recruitment policy.

 

My first season 73/74. Bobby Doyle and Mick Butler were different class for that level.

 

Usually from old blokes in the pubs & clubs who hadn't been down to Oakwell since the days of the Nuremberg rallies, but still claimed to know everything about the football club!

 

We have a couple this season so far in the running with McSeveney as possibly the worst.

 

And mine

Always remember in that season we had a set play from a throw in down in bottom corner of what was the brewery stand and Joicey always seemed to score from it

Excellent striker who unfortunately retired after suffering a stroke whilst playing for us against York

 

Here's one I wrote ages ago, which might give you a feel for the Iley era.


Back in the days of Iley Out,
When fans went to matches to have a good shout,
When players earned wages, not six figure sums,
And we had to stand up, cos there were nowt for our bums.

Back in the days of Division Four,
When we needed a Green 'Un to find out the score,
When the players smoked cigs and drank plenty of beer-oes,
But still somehow managed to turn into heroes.

Back in the days of the Trackie bus,
When a crowd of five thousand felt like a crush,
When players fouled properly, with no need to mime,
And we walked round the ground to change ends at half-time.

Back in the days of the open air bogs,
When we played in all weathers, come hail, snow or fog,
When players were rock hard with no airs and graces,
And Brian Joicey's goals would put smiles on our faces.

Back in the days of Spud and the rest,
Before that bloke Sniffer turned up and impressed,
"They dont want to go up", that's what they would shout,
Back in the days of Iley Out.

 

Yeah, it's a shame he couldn't really participate in the team that went up. Step forward Derek Bell.

 

I've always said that, in my opinion, John McSeveney was the worst Barnsley manager I'd seen at Barnsley. It's now my belief that both Schopp & Asbaghi are worse than him.

 

Plenty of them about in those days . Used to go in East Dene Club after a midweek game and get the usual have you been to match ?you must be mad if they were playing in my back yard I’d close curtains .
Used to do my nut in as there were more detractors that used to go down to Well and not until Allan Clarke did some of them venture back .

 

Jim took over a very poor team. Jock Steele had stepped in after John McSeveney's short (it was quite lengthy compared to the modern era) and extremely unsuccessful time in charge. The Club had no money and had tried to sell the car park behind the Ponte so that a supermarket could be built. Jim actually stabilised the Club and, I'd argue, provided the foundations for Allan Clarke to take us forward.

 

Very true I mostly heard it in old cudeth club

 

That really was a turgid time and I’m thinking this season is running it close .

 

Exactly. Clarkey inherited a team that had had two near misses and some decent players. His impact was still huge though.

 

I'd totally agree with those thoughts. That McSeveney team was dour and lacklustre.

 

Yes,but we loved it when we could roam around the ground

 

Excellent lol!

 

This is the thing that really, really gets me the most this season, (well, one of the things).

I've said in posts before that in the past we’ve had poor sides and poor players, and been on terrible runs, and ended up relegated ……but for the life of me I can’t ever remember being as completely uncompetitive against teams in our own league - there is simply no excuse for it, 2 wins so far in a season is an absolute disgrace for any team in any division.

This is why I sit at home with my ticket in the drawer, the owners are lucky that’s what they are, owners because they have presided over a complete shambles and are completely incompetent and in any walk of life would be out of a job if they were employees, in fact if any of they’re employees had performed as they have done I’ve no doubt they’d have sacked them.

They should be ashamed of their performance and be embarrassed- if they have any professional pride.

 

Great poem.

 

Obviously it was Division 4 standard football, but I used to love going to all games whether home or away, paid on gate back then with mi mams money, now I have a season ticket(for years since) and I have to drag myself to attend, so maybe it is worse football this season than back then........great memories of them days though