The Alumni on Saturday - how far back do you go?

I missed the match on Saturday but caught it on iFollow. I would have loved to have seen the old players coming out though and it got me thinking how far back in the list I go, ie who was the first player I actually saw turning out for the Reds?

Scrolling back I thought it must be 619 Frank Bartlett at inside forward, but no. Go further back - 607 Ron Smillie on the wing? No, not him either. Number 599 Bobby Wood is the earliest one I can claim. A tough tackling Scottish left half who played for many years.

It's interesting going through that list. We usually think of Mick McCarthy in Norman Hunter's team with the likes of Ian Evans, Ronnie Glavin and Ian Banks etc but he goes back much further. He partnered John Saunders in the Fourth Division days, played alongside Brian Joicey, Graham Pugh, Ali Millar, Alan Little etc. It's a fantastic bit of work by the club to put this list together and I hope they round up a lot more for to come out on future match days.

Lastly, who was that guy with the black hair and beard? He is shown on stage getting his shirt but no number is visible. I cannot place him. Somebody tell me please. Also the one who trotted out with a scarf knotted around his neck. Who is that? I got the rest. Surprised to see David Speedie turn up - what a blunder Clarkie made letting him go for £5,000 to Darlington when he then went on to become a Scottish international with Chelsea and Liverpool.

 

It's here by the way, in case anyone can't find it:

https://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/club/alumni/

 

Unsurprisingly, 676 is the first player I can recall. Non other than Barry 'Spud' Murphy.
Followed by 730 Brian Arblaster and 737 Kenny Brown.

 

The first on the list would be Ian Banks at 810. Though the system is somewhat distorted for players that had multiple spells at the club. So I didn't see him in his first spell (that I'm aware of).

I did see Paul Cross (842) for many of his appearances, though i seem to recall there was quite a big gap between his first few appearances and when he went on to be a mainstay before his terrible injury.

And Joe Joyce (819) , given his huge amount of appearances is probably the most accurate answer for me... though again, many of his appearances were before I started watching in earnest around 84/5.

 

First visit to Oakwell Hough,Short,Swift,Bartlett,Sharp,Wood,Kaye ,Smith,Chapell,Graham and Mcann

 

Eric Brookes 654

 

671 for me Big Winnie

 

596, he was brilliant in Beverly Hills Cop.

 

The furthest I go back is 1072. I've not been right since. (Only kidding)
No. 981 ..... I thought that was a flavour of chicken. Who the flip was that ???
1063 .... Who ?
Even Frimpong is there ! Bet he's proud to be on the list.

Joking aside, when you look at that list there are some absolutely cracking players on it, many I'd completely forgotten about. It brings back so many memories over a good few decades. A great compilation.

 

Reuben Noble-Lazarus.

Paul Wilkinson.

 

Pretty much the same for me with Ian Banks, the 1985 squad starting properly about 850. I thought I recognised Glyn Riley's name as being part of that squad but looks like he left in 1982.

 

Same as me, old mate.

 

Ahh of course. Thanks for that

 

Same for me. There may be some names before him, but they don't jump out at me.

 

842 Paul Cross. It was towards the end of his time though so there are people with a higher number than him that I never saw.

 

I agree.

 

738 Stewart Barrowclough for me. Fantastic player.

 

Same.

 

599 Bobby Wood then 607 Ron Smillie, both later in their careers.