Smallest crowd you have been in at Oakwell

Think it was 1985 (midst the strike)

Wimbledon at home in the old division 2. Just over 3000 despite the fact ticket prices were reduced to £1 per person to boost attendances.

 

I've been in loads below 2000, but the smallest was probably when I played at Oakwell for Holgate in an U14 cup final against (I think) Hoyland Kirk Balk in about 1970. The crowd was about 20 and we won 16 - 0. As goalkeeper I spent the entire game leaning on the goalpost wishing I had a phone to play with.

 

That would have been some sized phone and extension lead combo.

 

2 plastic cups and a piece of string?

 

I'm the same with many crowds around 2,000 and some below that in the sixties and seventies. We really did almost go to the wall in 1966, but for the generosity of local businessmen Ernest Dennis and Geoff Buckle.

If only there were people in the town now willing to make a similar significant investment simply because they are Barnsley fans and not as a means of making money. It was only £10,000 back in 66 but that money bought us Barrie Thomas and Johnny Evans and their goals propelled us up the Fourth Division, boosting the crowds along the way and leading to a first promotion season for me. Shame we had to finish second behind Luton! Sadly Barrie had retired from the game by then through a long standing injury.

 

Not sure about mine, but my dad kept a newspaper picture that was taken at a game at Oakwell back in the 1960s of the whole of the away end (when there was no fencing so you could stand anywhere in the ground). There were 5 people on it, one was my dad, one was a goalkeeper and one was a policeman walking in front...

 

I’ve seen less than 1500 v swansea

 

About 1600 v Rochdale in the 60s.

 

I’m sure I was in the ground with about 1200 in the early to mid 70s, played someone like Workington Town?

 

I was in the brewery stand one rainy Tuesday evening, I would have been about 7 or 8 and there was me an my dad in there. I was delighted to get the ball and give it to one of our players, but next time it came in my dad told them "you'll have to get it yourself, he got wet through last time" quite often there were sub 1000 crowds

 

I think you’re mistaken there. I’m sure we never dropped below 1,000 but, as mentioned above, I think there was a Workington match in front of about 1200.

 

I can't remember (unlike @JLWBigLil who probably remembers his experience in minute detail), but it would have to be on a freezing cold Tuesday night, probably early seventies, probably the old 4th Division, whilst stood on a slag heap behind the goal exposed to a polar vortex. And we probably lost.

 

Not sure what you would have done with it

 

C3500 v Notts County when we were in championship playoff places but half a ground. 1994. Happened a few times until last couple of months

 

I remember watching the Schools FA Cup final in 1986 at Oakwell - don't think the crowd was very big but no idea how many. Kirk Balk (with Mark Crossley in goal) drew 2-2 with Raynes Park from Surrey and they shared the trophy,

 

Was Billy Casper in goal for Kirk Balk?

 

Not a clue, sorry, it was a long time ago! The name Andy Jenkinson rings a bell though, he was a top keeper back then. @55&counting played in the game for Holgate, maybe he can help?

 

1,915 Barnsley v Southport. Friday 13th May 1966. we won 4-0 (Addy 2, Hewitt, Hobson). Last game of the season. I know that the Prince was there too.

There were several 2000+ crowds at the start of the next season when we were on our uppers, until Thomas & Evans were signed after the Dennis/Buckle takeover.

Btw who remembers the adverts for First team and reserve games stuck to the windows of the Tracky buses back in the 60s?

 

This Billy Casper

 

I seem to remember a home game (Wrexham, perhaps?) along those lines.