This will be long. No apologies. Having worked close to 200 home games now, that was probably my favourite over seven years. And I don't say that lightly either, because there have been some special moments here and there. Quite a few of those, however, were during the pandemic-affected seasons and didn't have crowds with us. Others are more about big things I've been involved in such as getting former players back or launching Hall of Fame, the Alumni and so on. But yesterday was something else. And there are so many reasons to be thankful about it. Thank you, first, to my now former colleague, Andy Clark. Seven years we worked closely together on a number of areas with a budget of zero to try and improve certain things at Oakwell. A lot of learning, failing but never giving in. I'm proud of the stuff we did together and yesterday, the first game without him, I felt like I had him with me regardless. He'll smash it at his new club and there's something a little strange about the fact that our little trio from 2017 are now at separate Yorkshire clubs doing our thing. Potentially all in the same division next season. Thank you to Ben, Hicksy and Gally. Friends who I barely see other than on a football footing these days (I could say that about everyone I know to be fair, work is all-consuming). You've been as supportive as ever, and I couldn't have done the last week without Ben especially. Thank you to Scarfy for assisting and to all of the musical acts we had at Oakwell yesterday. On three sides of the stadium, there was live music. Inside the stadium, thank you to Big Chris doing his DJ'ing for us again. Thank you to Cam, my colleague for getting two great food vendors down and adding to what we had on offer outside the stadium. We also ran Happy Hour as soon as turnstiles opened. Thank you to the maintenance team who managed to complete a crazy quick turnaround with the Murphy and Rimmo signage this week. The new signs look class and do both men proud. Thank you to the Reds in the Community students who helped set up the TIFO yesterday. That was a huge undertaking and whilst it didn't come off perfectly due to those meant to be holding up the B, it still looked better than nowt! Thank you to Laurie, Lynne, Steve, Linda, Matthew, Paula and all of our Barnsley-mad family of volunteers who go above, beyond and further still for this club. We genuinely couldn't do what we do without you. Thank you to Dave, Riddy, the Red All Over lads and anyone else who helps light up the FanZone with fun, opinion and humour ahead of the game. Thank you to all those with YouTube channels who try to give us a bigger and better online voice. Thank you to all who go out of their way, using their free time to speak positively about the club and our town/community. Thank you to the tens of fans who randomly stopped me out and about last night leading up to kick off to praise the club, to ask about Beth, and tell me just how great a 'matchday experience' this was. Again, we've just lost a key part of all that, in Andy Clark. And without Beth, you're losing more than can ever be described. To those who know me, you'll know just how close me and that woman are. My best mate at the club. The last few months have been f****** hard. Thank you though, to Kieron and her family and her close friends and most importantly, the stars at the NHS who've made sure that alongside her own battling attitude that she's in good hands and recovering all the time. But I miss her. And last night felt a little hollow because of that, and no Clarky. Thank you to my little team in our office who I couldn't be more happy for. A trip to Wembley against Sheffield Wednesday in our press officer's first season is a dream for him and I'm so happy for him. Lew - you're smashing it, kidda. For my colleague of five years, Chris, who I couldn't do this without. We've shared the highs and lows from 2018 onwards (there have been lots of both) and I can't wait to experience this one with you. Thank you to Jean Cryne and Neerav Parekh for what they did over the last 18 months to give people their club back. And I don't just mean the supporters. Thank you to Jean full stop, because I would have left numerous times without your support. Thank you to Khaled. Having to read and hear so much said against your boss who you work alongside day in, day out knowing it's just nonsense, it can be frustrating. But you didn't waver, you stuck to your guns and the culture you have fostered, particularly in the last 12 months under a board that understands has done more than anyone will ever know. You talk about legacy with me all the time and it will speak for itself in years to come. Thank you to Michael, the staff and players this season. Professional, hard working and honest. From day one to day whatever yesterday was, the same messages, the same conversations, the same attitude. Consistency of approach and a feeling of absolute togetherness. I hate to call things 'simple'. But it's been refreshing after last year to go back to a common sense ethos, to be organised and do what works for us, for Barnsley FC. Reinvention of the wheel can get in the bin. We know who and what we are. We aren't here to pass teams to death. Our players aren't chasing internet points. The team is the dream. And it goes on for another nine days. Thank you also to Sheffield Wednesday. Yes, honestly. Because what a prospect Monday 29th May is. Barnsley v Wednesday at Wembley. Thousands of fans from South Yorkshire converging on the capital. Red v Blue. Regardless of the result, what a f****** day that promises to be. And to finish, a massive Wednesday-esque thank you to the supporters. It took a while, and totally understandable after last season. But you've been mint since the turn of the year especially. As Michael says, winning games helps. And that's true. None of this happens if we are losing every week. But you've really shown up and made a difference. It's a football cliche, the '12th man' stuff. But it's also true, that it helps the players. It really does. The noise has increased, the way you have rallied the team at times has helped to carry them through certain spells. It happened again last night when Bolton were having a good five minutes. You saw a challenge and went mental, and just like that, we were up the field and forcing set plays, then the Beth tribute... so good. We said it all week - Be the difference. It's why we wanted only 2,000 away fans. Fine margins. Grab every advantage you can. You get f*** all for being nice in this game. I do get the gripes about not splitting the Barry stand. But we did want to and did try, right up until Tuesday. But there's a lot more to come out of the wash in the next few months in certain areas that will hopefully make sense and at the same time make such circumstances irrelevant in future cases. But we'll see. Anyway, that's negative, and this isn't a negative post. I don't know the future, I don't know where or what I'm going to be doing beyond this month, but I wanted to write this down for anyone who gives a toss and I'm looking forward to getting my suit measured for Wembley. Enjoy your weekend! PS - both clubs are in discussions with all relevant parties regards tickets and all that jazz and something ought to be released in the next 24 hours or so at a guess? PPS - Thank you.
Thank you too @YTBFC , and everyone involved with the club be it paid emplyees, volunteers or interns. Whatever happens at Wembley it's been a great season and you all put in the hours whether we have a good or bad season.
Anyone else welling up, reading this.? Andy’s definitely come a long way since the giddy little snot brat of yore. & I hope he never loses that.. The ‘end of the month’ uncertainty concerns me. I’d happily chuck in £100 a year to maintain his salary, if that’s the case.? I’m sure many more Reds would too.. For those of us who don’t get out much, the massively improved media content is a welcome blessing. & that began when the club had the inspired idea to bring that kid in house, though I did love his punky outsider approach. I was going to say hello at the Wednesday match, but he looked so busy & stressed, bless him. Wonderful post. He’s one of our own..
When you say that both clubs are in discussion about tickets does that mean that Sheffield Wednesday are only allowing us two thousand tickets? I'll be a bit miffed if that happens.
My most disastrous gig ever, & there’s been a few, was in Stevenage. I ain’t going to bang on about that on this thread. Needless to say, I survived, after a night in Dunstable hospital..
One of the best atmosphere’s I’ve known at oakwell and definitely the loudest which wasn’t bad considering only 16,000 fans in attendance
We have known one another for a good number of years, Andy, old mate. You're an outstanding individual, as your post shows. I just wish I could be there a week on Monday, but I'll be at Wembley in spirit. Love to you and your family, from me and mine. Kev
