Geoff English went to Raley with Trevor Phillips I thought. I knew both of them and was in the same class at junior school with Trevor and Brian Greenhoff (two different schools, Eldon St and Park Road). Geoff English (was he at Wilthorpe Juniors?) did go to Arsenal but was homesick and came back to Barnsley but did not make it as a professional. Another in the same year group was Steve Daley from Holy Rood who went into amateur football then ended up at Wolves. They were all in the same Barnsley Junior under 11 team that thrashed everybody (I was involved in that squad but never got a game). Arnold Sidebotton was also in that team but was 1 year younger than us.
Ah another one that got away - Arnie Sidebottom. I played table tennis with him once or twice at Old Town St Pauls Youth Club, just off Greenfoot Lane. He had a decent career with Man Utd and Huddersfield as well as being an international cricketer. Quite a rare achievement that, to excel in two sports. Shame that all these Barnsley-born lads never played for their home town team. We might have got to the First Division a lot quicker
Except for another old mate of mine who was 1 year older that Geoff English, Trevor Phillips and Brian Greenhoff who DID play for Barnsley in 2 spells and also played in the 1st Division ...
Pretty sure my old man played in the 1959-60 Barnsley Boys team. Also not sure same year but my old geography teacher Alan Clay who also played for England boys.
Me Dad,John Hobson sez he were the unsung hero scoring all the goals.....not sure hes taken the modest career and too skinny comment too well
Can remember playing football in Donny Rd school playground,think Jimmy Greenhoff was still at school used to remember him coming down to watch, never joined in, used to smoke like a chimney watching us
Lovely old thread. Only sad bit of it is the excellent Prince Of Risborough rarely posts these days, if ever.
Lots of Barnsley Boys stuff here inc 1960/61 https://www.flickr.com/photos/barnsleycollector/albums/72157628278078357
Nice to see Geoff Firth mentioned in the teams about this time.Local lad from Platts Common who was a very good player.
I used to live across from Phil growing up and when he played for England boys....always remember him going back to Ward Green Junior school and showing us kids his England caps!....I also went to a few boys internationals at Wembley when I moved up to Worsbrough High the following year......great memories and Phil Chambers went on to have a very good career with Barnsley......especially in the Clarke/Hunter era .......
If you're referring to Geoff Firth, I believe he may well have been in the same form as the younger of my two elder brothers at Holgate Grammar School from 1955-60. Perhaps you could ask him if he was there then, in the C form?