BBS Posters Football Careers

Captained the v successful Holgate side Stahlrost has mentioned. English Schools semi finalists twice in succession.
Barnsley Boys and BFC Intermediates. Would now be U18s.
Serious cartilage injury the week before England Schoolboy trials.
University Ist X1 at Cardiff. Knackered the other knee.
Now just another has-been!

 

Love it lol.

 

One thing I can say. Is the BBS would have struggled or struggle to put a Decent full side out. . Glad it wasnt only me who was the only crap player. In fact, thanks for lifting my spirits. Some of you lot were worse than me, by the sounds of it.

 

I'll bet there's not a good pair of knees on this site - sorry Helen/Fired/Jamdrop!

 

.

My personal highlight was playing against an ex Reds eleven, Parker, Barra, and was marking ( or trying to) Sir Ronnie himself, still loved it though .
That game also stopped me watching games and thinking , hm they don’t look that quick etc, and these were the ‘retired’ ones

 

This is the winner so far imo - finally someone with some ability haha!

 

Fingers.

I played in goal. One winter afternoon up on Siberia (Holgate fields) I misjudged the sodden 20 ton Casey coming at me. It broke my forefinger. Can’t remember who the master was, but rather than stop the game he ordered me to walk, in my muddy kit, all the way to the hospital on my own. I was about 13 at the time.

 

We seem to be top heavy on goalkeepers on here, lazy buggers !

 

He wasn’t bad was he.

 

Another Goalkeeper here. Too crap to play anywhere else in the works 5 a side league....

 

I played for all school teams growing up, and some county/rep teams, went to a couple of trials. Until I hit about 15yo, got injured, fell out of the routine, got into drinking etc and didn't kick a ball again until I was 18.

Then started playing Saturday and Sunday football. Played decent level on a Saturday, county leagues etc, and always top division in Harrogate/Claro districts. Had a few semi pro teams interested in my signature but never really wanted to commit to the heavier training. Stopped playing Saturday football at a high level when I was about 23, as it was the 90s and I discovered drugs and partying! Played Saturday's for a couple more seasons but then packed that in as social life took over.

Carried on playing Sundays throughout, until I was in late 30s. One year 1992/3 I was involved in playing and running a club that won the Claro division and got to 5 cup finals in a season (won 3 of em). A few years later me and a few mates formed another club, started in division 5 and won promotion every year until we hit top division where we held our own for a few seasons before packing it in.

I was a proper box to box midfielder (in Redfearn mould), but also played striker, 10, FB or CB on occasions, could even play in goal if needed. I was always a driving force in whatever team I played for.

I stopped playing at about 38 for about 5 years but then had a couple of seasons in veterans league.

I do wonder, and people are always saying, if I'd stayed at it as a kid, and got to peak fitness whether I could have had a proper career.

 

Played in the Grove Street school playground in the shadow of Oakwell. Always wanted to be a pro and play for Barnsley, played for the school team but didn’t get selected for Barnsley Boys U11s. I was gutted, but started playing for a team based in Athersley as well as the school teams at Raley. By under 15 level I was selected to play for Barnsley Boys, South Yorkshire and the biggest prize of all England Boys. Spent most school holidays having trials at various clubs but only ever wanted to play for the Reds. On leaving school I signed apprentice for the Reds and played in the intermediates and reserves.

Unfortunately I was released having got nowhere near the first team at nineteen and despite having a couple of trials at Sheffield Utd and Middlesbrough my heart wasn’t in it.I played local league for a year then packed in altogether. I didn’t play or have any interest in football for about 6 years. Finally after much persuasion from my mates I turned out on a Sunday morning and after 5 minutes I was down the banking throwing up! Despite this I got the bug again and was soon playing Saturday and Sunday. Played at County Senior level and had many memorable moments. Finally stopped playing at 36. I still miss playing even now and I am thinking about giving walking football a try.

 

I reckon I ran as far as some outfield players seeing as most games were played on open playing fields where if the ball flashed past me for a goal kick it was always me who had to run to retrieve it. That was sometimes the most tiring part of a game.
I was never able to kick a dead ball any distance so it was always handy that there was a centre half or full back willing to take the goal kicks.

 

Mainly 5 & 7 a side. Played a fair bit of Sunday league when I was younger & fitter but didn’t really enjoy it. It felt like the ball was constantly up in the air, out of touch & the pitches were terrible.

Love 5 & 7 a side though especially with mates who you trust aren’t going to stop you from going to work the next day by crocking you.

 

Played for St. micks and sixth form (very good team and Robin Wray weds youth team coach in charge).
Royston ship inn u18s Billy Horner as coach,, most of lads were Royston dynamos. Had a chance to have trials with Ian Meecham..(.who turned pro) at Huddersfield but was injured...then told years later Leeds wanted me but I was joining forces (dad told me yrs later)!!
Joined Navy played for Hms Invincible ...which was great playing abroad against foreign sides (and their dark arts) and later for the dockyard in Scotland (Rosyth) and logistics team in dockyard and base. Tbf I was better at swimming but broke my hand which ruled me out of the Navy team.Tbf footy teams in mob were very cliquey.
When I left RN I played Sunday footy, including Cudworth West End, which was great and I considered it a honor, with a couple of semi pros and some great players....that was division 2, if I remember right.
Played some works footy too with Tommy Graham and against Tony Curry (he would have been in his forties i guess by then).
I was centre midfield, a bit upfront and later right back. My dad spent loads of time with me learning me basics including controlling the ball and passing which he told me was the essence of the game....and a minimum requirement to play.
Now I just enjoy watching it....well as much as I can watching us!

 

to buck the trend a bit -

Hated football and rugby at school - wanted to play hockey - boys not allowed to play hockey!

Got to University and made it into the Men's Hockey first team - brilliant game!

 

Sunday League and NBC Northern Counties League (Works League). CF, RW and most successful at RB. Retired from the game in 82. Did FA Preliminary Coaching Cert in 95 and UEFA conversion in 2000. Brought out of retirement in my 50s playing in Barnsley Sunday League Div 2. Found myself playing against one of my old school mates when we played the Hope Inn. Played Barnsley Sunday Prem for 20 minutes aged 59-60 ish last game of the season and not registered. Played with the Mark Smith on FA Coaching Days and against a young Chris Barker and a reds Keeper whose name I don't remember. Played with many ex Pros on Coach Education Days. Neil Warnock's Brother was my assessor on the Conversion Course in 2000. Had my assessment at Bramhall Lane where I got to chat with Tony Currie and other United Coaches.

 

Matt played with Mitchell and Darfield Juniors at one point.

 

36 is too young to pack up! I went on until i was 54! My knees were shot. I'd had 3 arthroscopies but still wanted to carry on.i'd play on Sat morning and couldn't walk until the following Sat. Not good for home life.
Once played an Over 40s game in Sunderland. Then travelled down to Donny to watch the Reds. The seats were really tight and i was nearly in tears with the pain in my knee. Asked the Stewards if i could sit in 'No mans land' just so i could stretch my leg. Got some funny looks from Donny and Barnsley fans - until we scored. Then just dogs abuse from Rovers.
Finally had an osteotomy (look it up!)on the knee to try to prolong my 'career '. Couldn't play football again but could walk properly and climb hills. Our lass said it was the best result. Still miss it terribly though.

 

Best captain I've ever played with!!!