46 years ago today….

Did anybody notice the disgusting swear word in that article, 'am*bition' lol.
It was before my time as a fan, but I like hearing stories from fans who do still remember it, almost like it was yesterday.
And we went up didn't we in that '78 season, I think with Grimsby, Reading, and Wimbledon. No Play offs of course in those days, and only 2 pts for a League win!.

 

Going up was never in doubt from day one. It was a completely new club with Clarke in charge and his astute signings just made the rise a joy to watch. Even losing to Chesterfield in his first game in the League cup didn’t change the mood. That August afternoon was a hot day and over 8,000 saw the start of the Revolution. I just couldn’t believe we had such a player in a red shirt.

My only regret was that I was living over 200 miles away so didn’t get to as many games as I would have liked but it was such a thrill when I did attend. The Boxing Day 6-2 against Port Vale (hat trick from Clarke) and the promotion clincher, 2-1 home to Grimsby in front of 21,000 were stand out memories that season.

 

I couldn't wait for the season to start more than ever when Clarke took over. Seem to recall him turning up at Brig Bottom and the place being rammed! Rumour had it he was looking at a bloke called Baradell (i think).

What a season 78/79 was. Home gates went up. Going away in massive numbers to certain grounds. And the atmosphere and buzz was fantastic!
We had a very harsh winter that season... seem to recall we had quite a few games in hand. Then there were those days when we skived off school to help clear the pitch of snow.
Hard to think.it was so long ago. What an era to be a Barnsley fan. Especially when Hunter took up the reins afterwards.

 

Just a good job Excel wasn’t around then…….

 

The first game my Dad took me and r kid to in that season. WSL until the new Ponty was built.

 

Wednesday

 

Brilliant thread this.
Hearing all your stories and memories of that time.
The buzz of excitement in the late 80s and being part of the upward surge in the club’s fortunes must have been great to be part of.
Amazingly enough I also was living the dream with United at that time when Jim McLean was transforming us. Then 1979 the club won its first trophy. The League Cup. I actually cried that night.
Hopefully those proud moments will return for both our clubs in the near future.
Keep the memories fresh.

 

Ha

 

On and even more so off the pitch,Alan changed the Club so much, I’ve always said that the eleven players sent out on to the pitch to play the game reflects the Manager and the Club and community they are playing for, it certainly did for Alan Clarke,tremendous times and certainly a massive changing point for our Club

 

Did we do the Leeds ‘ lining up on the centre circle waving to all corners of the pitch ‘ thing when Clarke came or did I dream that

 

Danny Wilson stumbling into the job when viv upsticks and left might argue different.
For sure clarke lit the match but don't forget we'd had clarke V2, hampered somewhat by the miners strike and the dwindling crowds from 86 onwards and some fights to avoid relegation 89/90 under Machin we're also part of the package before Danny got us there.
I'm not trying to dismiss Clarke's impact at all but to take over a team and take it to the next level Hunter also deserves credit but barely gets a mention in the same breath.
I started watching us from 81/82 and we should have gone up to the old Div 1 under Hunter but fizzled out at the business end of the season.
I get what your saying but argue it was down to Clarke's appointment what we witnessed from 95-2000, the ambition from the Dennis family though has to be recognised as a factor.

 

Whist Clarke was the catalyst.
Imo. The quality of football played under Norman Hunter has never been surpassed. (Danny came close)
It was on another level. As good if not better than any you'd see in the top tier at the time. I get spine tingling shivers even thinking about it.
I also followed your fortunes at the time of Mclean. Especially in europe on tv. Some great football from your team mate.

 

Read your post after I'd written mine mate. I totally Agree Norman seems not to get as many plaudits. But I think most of those I know. Agree with my evaluation.. We were fortunate to witness football played at it's best.
I'm not sure who the coaches were under Norman. (Winstanley and Evan's spring to mind ? Both brilliant centre halves for us for those not aware ) As Barry Murphy joined Clarke at leeds. They have to take a lot of the credit too.

 

We've never been back in the 4th "tier" since Clarke led us out of it.

 

How lucky was I? Halcyon days.

First game was 77-78 Grimsby Town 2-1 promotion game.

Clarke Hunter Glavin Mccarthy Banks Ayott et all.

A period of time and style of football this club will never see again.

 

Yes we did

 

Yes we did. Not sure if it was just under Clarke or carried on through Hunter’s reign too? Can’t remember…..

 

We didn't sign Glavin when we were in the 4th Division. It was in June 1979, following our promotion.

 

That team under Hunter from 1980 to 82 is definitely the best one in my lifetime. The football was sublime, just a shame the team got broken up and never achieved top flight football like it should’ve done. It had everything, great centre halves in McCarthy and Evans, the flair of Glavin and Banks in midfield and then Aylott and Parker up front.
Aylott leaving in the summer of 82 started the slow decline after. We never managed to replace what he brought.

 

Think we should revive it for a laugh