Memories of Barnsley vs. Brentford

Opening day game of the 1976/77 season at Griffin Park. We won 1-0 thanks to a first half goal from Ally Millar. That is one of only two away wins we've had for the first match of a season since I started watching Barnsley in the 1960's. The only other one was the victory at WBA at the start of our promotion season of 1996/97.

 

I remember playing them in League 1 and someone throwing the ball to Sam Sodje to take a free kick and it hit his face at 1mph, he went down as if he'd been punched by the Big Show.

That's how my memories work.

 

Barnsley vs. Brentford 1992

We came back from 2-0 down as well and John "Big Bird" Pearson scored twice. Could have had a hat-trick if his legs hadnt got tangled up.

 

Barnsley vs. Brentford away 1993

I remember the away game for being Mad Mels last as Barnsley Manager. Also we were only allowed in 3 out of the 4 pubs...Boo

 

Seems like we're both right Mario, just done a bit of digging. Cos I was sure I dint imagine it. I just thought he was there player

He wasn't even the most famous sportsman in his family. Older brother John won a bronze medal in the 1968 Mexico Olympics, in the same race where David Hemery won gold. Like Hemery, big brother also got national recognition for his appearances on Superstars - compulsive viewing for any sports fan in those days. Meanwhile little brother (well quite tall actually) was trying to make a footballing career at Chelsea. Not much chance of that with Bonetti in goal. In the days when loaning out players was not as common as it is today he spent time at Brighton, Millwall and then Brentford. The spell at Brentford was almost unique for the time as it lasted 18 months and he even won a "Player of the Season" award. A spell in America followed before he finally found a club he could call his own.

 

Cheers spider, I was sure he'd played at Chelsea and Watford but I wasn't so sure about the rest of his career. Oh and I remember Superstars; Kevin Keegan and Brian Jacks are two I remember well. I'm sure I remember Alan Minter on it too.