Junior Takeover v Shrewsbury

It's been a busy week, but I wanted to post about our experience of the Junior Takeover on Monday at Oakwell. As I mentioned in February, I took my daughter Sophie to her first Barnsley game, and she loved it and has wanted to come to every game since (and will have a season ticket next season). I told her about the Junior Takeover when it was advertised, and she asked me to apply for most of the "jobs" on offer. (She didn't fancy the groundsman job. I guess she doesn't like getting her hands dirty, just like her Dad )

Much to our delight, we were informed that she had been picked out of the hat for the job of 'player'

We met Andy Clark at the club reception at 12.00 pm, and he took us and the other "player" for the day, Caleb, and his family to meet their new "teammates". (Caleb's family are season ticket holders who travel from Wales for matches! There's commitment!)

We arrived at the first team changing room to see both of their kits for the day hung up with all those of their teammates (which we later learnt had been put out by the junior "kit person").






Sophie then met her new teammates, had photos taken, and got her shirt signed.










We were handed over to Laurie and his wife Lynne as well as Ryan (Beth's lad), who look after the mascots on match day.




The mascots joined us, the new signings got changed into their new kits and we headed to the academy indoor pitch, where Ryan took them all for a short football session.



I was surprised that Sophie enjoyed this so much, as previous attempts to interest her in playing had failed miserably. However, since she's been watching Barnsley, she's also been refereeing the boys' lunchtime kickabout at school. I'd have thought some knowledge of the rules would have been required for this, but apparently not but I digress

What did strike me at the indoor pitch was the scale of the junior football team scheme that Steve, Linda and Matthew Croft run on a matchday. It's been a while since I've been there to see it in action, and it was pretty impressive! So many kids were in attendance for the day from whichever local team was lucky enough to be involved on the day and they brought so many (paying) adults with them. The viewing area was packed and if you've been in, you'd know there are quite a lot of seats. Steve was telling me they are booked up for most of next season. A real success story which has been running for 10 years now.


Before long we were picked up by Andy Clark and the two new signings went to do the warm-up on the pitch along with the game's mascots. We were handed the teamsheet, where both kids were named as subs




Next were the obligatory press photos for the 2 new signings that Stretch took and Neerav posed for the signing photo on the pitch.





Then it was off for the new signings' first media interview in the no expense spared post-match media setup, aka a small backdrop in the boot room (which was very smelly, according to Sophie). It's fair to say they both need some media training






Before we knew it, us parents were waiting outside the tunnel and Sophie, and Caleb ran out to Timerider.








Sophie (and I ) had an amazing day and she hasn't stopped talking about it. Thanks to all the players who were so nice and accommodating with photos and signatures etc. Thanks to Mads for looking after them as they ran out on the pitch and did all the photos and pre-match rituals. It really was a fantastic experience.
Special thanks to Andy Clark, who put it all together and also Laurie (who's been working at the club for 55 years!!), his wife Lynne, Ryan Sefton, Steve, Linda and Matthew Croft, Stretch, Neerav and also Khaled, who came over and spoke to us.
Anyway, it's a day we'll both remember for a long time. It's definitely worth applying next time if you have a kid who loves going to Oakwell. An amazing day and we were so well looked after throughout! Thankyou Barnsley FC

 

Yeah was amazing

 

Bloody hell didnt realise. Lovely to meet you all.