Happy 40th Toby Tyke this year

invented in 1967 so that the club could, for the first time, produce official merchandise. Makes you realise that whatever happens tomorrow and wherever we finish this season Barnsley FC have come a long way since then. Dennis the first was in charge with the club teetering on the brink of extinction in the lowest extremeties of the football league, the club was in large amounts of debt, employees were not paid and even if the financial circumstances didn't kill off Barnsley FC the team finished only just above the re-election zone. Oh how lucky we are.

With regards to Toby's actual birthday I think it comes a little later in the year as I believe he was created before the start of the 1969/70 season.

 

From the Offical History Book.

"To launch the 1997 season, a cartoon mascot was created; a cheerful thumbs up pup called "Toby Tyke". For the first time ever the Club developed a range of official souvenirs. Toby featured on a series of stickers, pennants and T shirts. At first the Club had no shop of its own; the official Barnsley souvenirs were made available at the Club Office and a supporters home in St Georges Rd. Eventually a cabin was opened inside Oakwell at the Pontefract Rd. end terrace. Midweek customers had to be escorted to the cabin and have it unlocked specially for them"

How times have changed, or have they?.

During the early 1960's the Club's badge was the Council Coat of Arms, and we are back there today, with Toby playing but a minor role.