On the commentary Matt asked me to sum up my feelings and everything. It was just about the hardest thing I've ever had to speak about on air before in four years of doing it. Tears came to my eyes as I thought about the Barnsley fans who really care not just the ST holders or whatever, but the ones that come when they can afford it/other commitments like family aren't in the way and such. But particularly for my Dad who has followed the Reds religiously for over 50 years and was so close to what may have been the only FA Cup Final his and our beloved team may reach in his lifetime. Quite possibly and even probably in mine too. Just thought I'd share.
Mine came before the game. My dad's 81 now and can no longer manage the steps up to the East Stand. He declined the opportunity to go yesterday and felt vindicated that he'd made the right decision when I got tickets in the 5th tier. Anyroadup me and #1 son and heir (13 yo) were riding the escalator to the upper tier and I suddenly thought perhaps my old dad could have been there. 3 generations of us cheering Barnsley on to what could have been a place in a FA Cup Final. All of a sudden I admit to getting a little choked up. It was Dad that got me interested in the Reds and of his 3 grandchildren only my son shows any desire to pick up the baton.
That's a bit sad... I suppose the fact we lost in the end perhaps makes it less of an issue now... I dunno... but if we'd won he could then have made the final. Why the hell couldn't we win?! Grrrrrr. :'(
RE: Read it earlier. It's down to my Dad that I support Barnsley and I just felt so bad for him that we couldn't give him an FA Cup Final.
RE: That's a bit sad... If we stop up this season, this defeat will fade quickly. If we go down however, we will no doubt torture ourselves about Odejayi's miss, whether we would have gone on to win the cup, whether the cup run messed up our league form etc etc What other sport can give you such a rollercoatser of emotions?? In fact, what other team can seem to give you frustratingly equal portions of both success and failure like Barnsley can??
Very few... Best mate's a Villa fan and is jealous that we have an exciting season nearly every year. Physio today said he felt for me not supporting a team in Europe as I seemed like such a big fan - I soon put him straight about being a Tarn fan. It's a lot of things but it sure is exciting.
Yeah, I felt sorry for Michael Parkinson... Aww.. The picture of him crying at the end of the match pained me =(