I've scored dozens like that, literally. Left foot, right foot - and like Darren Barnard, I usually didn't even wait for it to bounce. Why would you? Looks better on telly. Up on t' greenie near my Mam's years back, I hit one so hard it put a window through round the back of Platts Common ambulance station. We didn't have proper nets, just posts. They weren't bothered though, once they realised it was me. I bet they still talk about it now.
My gaffer used to describe me as unplayable, I think he used to leave me on the bench to give the others a chance.
I scored 1 before never even watched it hit the net I was that confident I just casually walked back to the 1/2 way line
I've actually saved a shot like that several times, the best one being at Oakwell in the Kop goal in about 1971 against Worsbrough School in the U15 Cup Final (for Holgate). Also for Athersley Youth. Broadway Youth and Barnsley boys Club. Ahhh, memories!
Ha ha! But, Mr C, with the team I played in, you would not even have had the opportunity of a shot! Duncan Sharp's son would have seen to that!
Errr....I played in goal for Holgate in the U15 final in 1970 (I think) at Oakwell. That team won the league and cup each year at U13, U14 and U15 level, without conceding a single goal. Could have done with a Kindle at times. In the final I think it was about 9 - 0 to us, think we played Hoyland. Memories! Also played for Barnsley Boys Club and St Georges Youth.
Cheers, Stahlrost, what a coincidence. You must have been in the year or two above me at Holgate. Were you in the team that got through to the FA Schools competition (and got to the semis, or something?). I knew a few players from that team, including a lad who I think got a call up to the England schoolboys (lived in Cawthorne)? The team I played in had Steve England, Rog Gillespie, Steve White, Dave Hardcastle etc.
When I was in the lower sixth form at Holgate we won the Yorkshire Trophy and got to the semis in the National competition, although I was on the bench. The next year, my last at Holgate, we won the Yorkshire Trophy again in a penalty shoot-out at Dodworth after extra time against Huddersfield, but got knocked out in Liverpool in the first round proper of the national trophy. I remember Dave Hardcastle from your list but the other names don't ring a bell.
That's probably because Dave Hardcastle played for the Boys Club with me, whilst the others played for Broadway Youth. Were you the goalie who had an older brother there (and was he a member of staff later)?
He (Dave I think) was in the year above me and played in goal ahead of me, probably because his brother was the games teacher and team manager hee hee! When he left I moved up and played in goal for the last year. They were great times, although as a keeper in a side which won every league and cup game for 3 years without conceding a goal I probably would have made more progress in a crap side. Enjoyed it though all the same.
Yeah, happy memories. Do you remember the pitch known as Siberia? And Nunk, the German games teacher? I must have taken over from you as 1st XI keeper when I was in the sixth form, but we'd lost all our good players as they left at the end of O-levels. I played football at a level just below semi-pro until I had to retire with an injury at 44. All the best, Stahlrost! And apologies to Mr C for hijacking his thread.
Remember Siberia and Nunk well. He used to talk about "playing football on the willage green". He could trap a ball further than I could kick it, as the saying goes. I played at a decent level too but had to finish at 30 after doing my cruciate ligament. Didn't have the technology in those days so was in plaster for 8 weeks, when the pot came off my leg looked like a matchstick with the wood shaved off. Still manage to go hard skiing and hill walking to this day despite having a piece of teflon in my knee. I was amazed that despite our team's record no-one made it as a pro. Most of us had trials with the Reds but got nowhere, one lad signed for Man U but never played beyond the juniors, another signed for Coventry but broke his leg and that was that. Just goes to show the difference between pro sides and schoolboy/amateur sides. Massive gap. All the best to you too and don't worry about Mr C he won't mind!
Sorry to hear about your cruciate ligament. In our day you never really heard of this injury. It only seems to have entered common parlance since Gazza. The lad who signed for Coventry and broke his leg is the one from Cawthorne, I think. Played with him at Barnsley Boys Club (our manager was a solicitor - nice bloke). The team I played for in this area won every cup, the league etc, and about 7 of the lads went to semi-professional level (Cambridge city, Histon etc) and one lad turned professional. Obviously I was too old (that's my excuse).
