Who remembers the old social club that was built next to the Ponty End? That was my first sight of Oakwell and my Uncle always took me in there 1:15 every Saturday for a few drimks and then we would go into the old brewery stand. Many years ago when the new stand was being planned I am sure they said that they would replace the old club, what happened?
Piss up in brewery falls flat on its face I think the club did say that the new stand would incorporate a new social club but couldn't be arsed. Most likely ****** but alledgedly at one point that the old licence was held personally by Phil at the mount who used to run it. Phil held onto the licence which used to be personally held. He and Spinks could not agree terms and hence no social club. I think its diabolical that we cant have one - I've been to a few at away grounds such as Walsall, York, Oldham etc and it pisses me off that we cant have one. :'( :'(
Great club it was too. Wasn't the landlord/manager called Jim? We used to sneak in for a drink at half-time, and on occasion we also sneaked in for free too . Saturday night disco's were a laugh too. I seem to also remember that the club did promise to replace the club once the new stand was built. I don't know why they can't build a seperate building close to the 'well and use it as a Social Club? There would be a fair few extra shekkels per season for the club too. (raiseaglass)
a great place for a pre match pint and pork pie if memory serves me well, the night we beat Rotherham to secure promotion to the then 2nd division was a crackin night in there
RE: a great place for a pre match pint and That's right... ye olde warm pork pie - smashing! I seem to recall after the Middlesbrough game in 1991 (?) when we thought we'd gone up, the players came out and popped the champagne corks, only to finf out later that Brighton had actually won. At the back of the main stand i have to say acertain Michael Spinks did well coping with a potential lynch mob. Back in the Social Club they had a 'turn' ob who was, to be honest, onto a loser anyway due to the outcome of the days events. For some reason the bloke started making jokes about Barnsley.... that was until someone had a quiet word in his ear and he left the stage not long afterwards. I've always puzzled about what must have gone through the idiot's mind to start making remarks about Barnsley after such a Barsteward of a day!?
RE: a great place for a pre match pint and I remember going in there about 92 for a zenith data systems cup game against Wednesday - our first ever live airing on $ky TV, when it was all still a bit novel and they still didn't have them prem so were willing to show any old *****. Thought we'd be the only ones in, but it was absolutely packed - probably more Reds fans in the club then there was at Hillborough, and when we won on penalties, you'd have thought we'd won the champions league. Great night that was Was pretty cheesed off when they never replaced it.
The old Social Club I played the Organ two nights a week (except match days) Saturday & Tuesday for sequence dancing. Jim mentioned was on the commitee and officiated most days. Mr Buckle bought a new Organ out of his own pocket when the old one blew up. I had a drummer also and we had to negotiate pay rises with Michael Spinks. Most of the regulars were employed by the club or lived around the ground, some lovely people, Norman Rimmington and his Missus were regulars.
remember it well... ...wasn't old enough to drink mind, but i remember the dilute orange in there was like nothing i've ever tasted, not sure if it was because they bought a stack of kia-ora in about 1980 and were still using it until they shut...
Still got my old membership card and Remember that it was always difficult to get passed the guy on the door without it. Once I was in the queue behind Darren Sheridan when he was challenged "Ar tha a member", to which Daz replied "No ", "Well tha not coming in". "But I'm a player", "Who are thar","I'm Darren Sheridan", to which the man comes back with "Tha not". Slight pause then an exchange of "I am !!" , "Tha not !!" until yer man notices people in the queue laughing. Finally after sussing this might just be DS he justified the situation with "Tha looks bigger on't pitch".
Best pubs are at Carlisle's ground Situated in the main stand - You walk out of it up four stairs and you're in the ground . Quality!
