FAO Arabian Ian

Martin Bullock and Darren Sheridan were signed from non-league. Middlesbrough picked up David Currie from non-league. Palace signed Ian Wright from non-league. That's where QPR got Les Ferdinand. Newcastle signed Chris Waddle from non-league.

It's an odd argument that a team is no good because they are prepared to scout players in non-league football.

 

Any in the last twenty years?

 

Two straight away off the top of my head

Chris Smalling, Craig Dawson.

 

The above were just the famous ones and players with a Barnsley connection. Without doing any research, I know of Chris Smalling, Ben Foster and Grant Holt, but I'm sure there are literally hundreds from the last 20 years.

 

For arguments sake, let's say there are about 350 players playing on a regular basis in the Championship. I wonder how many of those have come directly from none league.

 

Danny Wilson signed Charlie Austin from non league...

 

Hi Ya Conan Butcher is in our 1st team squad. He has has a couple of appearances but the form of the team as a whole has meant that his appearances have been limited. TBH I thought he was on loan from Spurs. As for Oyenuga not seen him must be one for the future. Cifcti (shifty is easier) is a star player. I really don't know where Jackie McNamara got wind of him but he came and on a free. TBH I very much doubt he'll be around for long as many clubs are watching him also. I talked about Ryan Gauld, well apparently AS Roma were in attendance at Tannadice yesterday eyeing him up. Fortunately he had one of his quieter days and yet we still went on to win 4-1. Happy Days.
The crowd debate is not one I'm really interested in mate. Yes I'd love if another 5000 fans could turn up every week and be ploughing more money in the club so we could maybe keep those players a wee bit longer but hey ho that's the perfect world that we all wish we lived in.

You come over a quite a level headed and knowledgeable individual Conan so can you tell me what your opinions are on Barnsley escaping the dreaded drop.
I think with still plenty games to go all is not lost but we really must stop losing points at home. Winning most of our home games and picking up the occasional away point should be enough to save us. Who do you think should be given the managers job? Surely taking the cheap option in appointing Mellon is not the way we should be going.

 

I don't understand why that would matter. You wouldn't just go out and sign any non-league player, but the above examples prove that there is talent in non-league and looking in that direction is worthwhile. There certainly shouldn't be any criticism of a club for checking out players from non-league.

 

dj campbell as well. none league one year premier league the next

 

Thanks Ian - I haven't been called that on here before. Looking at the table it wouldn't take much for us to get back intention but I'm not sure if we have what it takes to go on a little run. I think we have to get out if the mindset that games are won on possession and falling into the trap of thinking that short passing in your own half is good football. If we can bring in the right man then we do have enough decent players to get out of it. I think on a short term basis Neil Warnock could come in and he would keep us up. I think if Danny Wilson came back it would create a buzz about that place which is something that has been sadly lacking for the last couple of years.

Thinking about Danny Wilson - did Jim McClean leave Dundee Utd and come back for a second spell?

 

Jamie Vardy, Dwight Gale. Would both walk in to our team. Kightly scored against us yesterday.

 

No sorry mate JM never left United.
Had a 22 year career as assistant manager/manager/ managing director finally moving upstairs to the board room and being Chairman. Utter legend.
He was eventually bought out by Eddie Thompson in a pretty messy affair. Eddie died about 5 years ago and now his son Stephen is Chairman and seems to be doing a great job. Has got our reported debt of 8m down to around 2m whilst still providing funds to sign players. The Thompson family have ploughed millions into DUFC since taking over and now seem to be reaping the benefits. If those players we've been speaking about move on for realistic fees then the debt will be instantly wiped out.
Happy Days.

 

My mistake. I thought there was a time when he wasn't managing then went back to it.

 

This was the end for Jim. At a live post match interview he told the reporters he would not answer questions about our manager Alex Smith and the reporter stupidly asked and got a black eye for his trouble. LOL
Well he was told.
http://youtu.be/O7P7XJxATAA

 

I do remember that actually.

 

Re: Two straight away off the top of my head

Just thought of another three who've played regularly at this level and a couple even internationally, Aaron McLean, George Boyd & Craig Mackail-Smith. A few more from Barnsley's past, Alistair Millar, Bobby Doyle, Mick Butler & Andy Rammell. Paddy McCourt started his playing career with Foyle Harps.

 

A tan that Jimmy Calderwood would be proud of!

 

I've watched a bit of Scottish Football though not of recent vintage. I'd say the sad tale of Jim O'Brien is quite illuminating. Selected for PFA team of the year in his last season never quite good enough for anything other than top of League 1 as his performances against league 2 S****horpe thus season shows at a lower level he is a threatening player. Also the big name Scottish players who gave failed to make the transition down South adds something to the argument. I think the money issue is the real one and unfortunately a compelling one. In reality I would think Celtic excluded most teams Scottish Prem teams would be low end of the championship top of league one. Mini Messi Gauld looks a fantastic talent and I like the look of Robertson. I think where the Scottish league is leading the field is in recruited talented players from lower leagues or non league that have slipped through the net for whatever reason. This is something that a club line ours should be looking at seriously as an area to emulate.

 

Yup I'd agree with all that Cricket. Jim O'Brien came to us from Celtic after never quite making it there. Came with a big head and a huge chip on his shoulders and did the square root of fk all whilst here. The same must be said of Paul Caddis who played in the same United team as O'Brien and yet managed to score 2 for Brum at Oakwell last time out. Both not good enough for United yet getting starting places in the Championship. That's football I suppose.
You said, most teams Scottish Prem teams would be low end of the championship top of league one. Isn't that the position that Barnsley find themselves in ATM? The Premiership seems to be a pipedream for you and the top half of the Championship is full of very good sides making life very difficult for the other sides in your league.
Certainly not easy to keep up with the big boys especially when teams are rewarded for failure by being given £60m when relegated. Something very far wrong there.

 

Yes I'd see us as a lower half of the table/ relegation threatened Team if we played in Scotland or possibly competing from league 1 for promotion. Given the money involved promotion is very much a pipe dream for us these days the money men have cut all the options off for teams like us. In terms of Caddis to be fair my nan could've scored against us that day and she's been dead for a 10 years. I think his no goals in the previous 50 games is a bit more realistic in his impact. Again in a bottom of the table team. What's happening up at Hearts at the minute? Spent some time in Edinburgh and went regularly. Great atmosphere and skilful team at the time I can't believe what's happened to them. I hope you can keep your team together for a bit as it must be happy times to be a fan but suspect the money men will come calling.