When I first went to Oakwell in 1966 it was the start of a journey.Through this time I've had some low times but also some incredible times seeing things and going to places I never thought possible watching a team who was bottom of league 4 when I first started going.I've met some fantastic people over the years following Barnsley most who I consider good friends to this day.One of my greatest memories was reaching the top of Wembley Way and hugging fellow reds who like me never thought our team would ever grace the hallowed turf of Wembley.This is the beauty of supporting Barnsley.Its like life in general you've got to endure the lows to celebrate the highs.I started this journey nigh on 50years ago but it will only stop when the good lord calls.
Top post. Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal etc fans will NEVER get that feeling you had on Wembley Way. They can win the Champions League, but they wont get that feeling of elation as it is almost expected of them. You Reds!
I sort of feel lucky. Born 1973 I'm able to remember our great teams of the early 80's and the cup runs. Properly fell in love with BFC in the mid 80's and went to every home/away match season after season. Then upon my mid-late teenage years started travelling wi' mesters on away days, my favourite years 90-93/4 easily. Then had the privelege of 'that team', promotion. PL, play offs, Wembley (old & new), Millenium, 2 relegations, FA semis, promotion, administration and countless other good & bad memories. So yes, I do feel lucky actually. Wouldn't have wanted my allegiance any other way. How boring must it be to finish 2nd and be devestated?!? Ya can keep that old ***** Ps I'll give it 5 mins before someone mentions Big Lil and the FA Cup win in 1912
"who like me never thought our team would ever grace the hallowed turf of Wembley" ^^^^ this wi knobs on. I've still got the image as clear as day of me nudging my mate at Wembley, pointing to the scoreboard when we were 1-0 up and saying "who'd have ever believed this?". COYR
Re: "who like me never thought our team would ever grace the hallowed turf of Wembley That walk down Wembley Way was something else, as was the sound of Cocoon being played before kick off - our song, at the Twin Towers. And then of course the fireworks as the team made their way out and Higgy smacking one in from 35 yards. What a day and collection of memories. Second trip weren't as special, but still, many fans would kill for that chance to play in a semi final there. Millennium Stadium was immense, winning like that on penalties, worra day that was. The FA Cup runs we've had... That moment Clint scored, where the dream finally came true. And then seeing Redders put us in front against West Ham and thinking "we're going to win the Premiership" (was that just me?). That unbelievable afternoon in Huddersfield... The derby victories over Leeds, Wednesday and the Blunts.. Aye, throw a fair amount of ****/sad times in too. But you can't tell me it's dull being a tarn supporter. Look at Rochdale. Same size as Barnsley in terms of population and the boroughs etc. Check out their last 20 years or whatever. They're at the height of their existence. Top six in the third division and a 4th round FA cup tie, only 4,000 home tickets sold and Matty Done and Stephen Dawson "two of the best players we've ever seen...". Think on.
I'm guessing that you started in Season 66/67 then? That was about four years after me and, if correct, you missed the Reds at rock bottom the year before when we were within inches of folding as a club. I wonder if that had happened if we would have ever come back, like they all seem to do these days. Would have been very sad for the town to lose its football team but, thanks to Messrs Buckle and Dennis, the club edged back from the brink and went onwards and upwards. I remember when your namesake arrived from Huddersfield in 1972 and I wondered what the club were doing signing this fat lad Brian Mahoney. He had scored a couple of goals for Town, presumably in the First Division where they were then, but first impressions were not great. People complain now about the likes of Treacey and Jennings but they should have seen Brian's belly! Nevertheless, he wasn't such a bad signing in the end although 90 appearances at centre forward and only 16 goals is not a great return. But the thing is.....he was what we could afford at the time. It's always been so and I've enjoyed those few golden years when we were throwing money around just like every other supporter. I suppose the fact that it had never happened before, and has not happened since, makes it even more special. Imagine being able to go out and spend something like £1.3 MILLION on a player like Ashley Ward. It's almost like a dream, until you remember that you actually SAW this man play in a red shirt. As you say Brian, it's all ups and downs with Barnsley. More downs, sculling around at the bottom of the pond. But those few times when we skim the surface like an elegant dragon fly make up for the bad times. I'm not giving up on it until someone nails the lid down. Only then will I stop going.
Only four current Football League teams have never been to Wembley, according to an article I was reading this week. Can anyone name 'em?
Pretty sure I read If Walsall get through their return leg against Preston it would be their first trip to Wembley? No idea on other three..
I started five years later than you but dont think I missed much between 1966 and 1971 apart from one promotion from 4th to 3rd Division! But otherwise pretty much what you said Loved the first Wembley trip - right up until the wheels fell off on the pitch Loved the Millenium stadium The buzz when Clarke arrived - playing to over 21000 in the 4th division Ronnie Glavin Danny Wilsons promotion team Bassets playoff team just the last few years been a bit like my first few - hoping for another turnaround Favorite away ground Anfield - never seen us lose there
Just a couple of years later for me, old mate. As you say, to fully appreciate the highs, it helps to experience the lows despite it being extremely difficult at the time.
Only been able to remember the last 13 years or so when I've really cared, but I feel like I've seen a lot. Back then, winning over Chesterfield was my main treat (I lived around there as a kid). Fell in love with the 04-06 squads - could still reel off stats and names for the lot of them, many of which would be pretty forgettable for most people. Still, promotion through the playoffs and a semi final at wembley - two unforgettable days (1 much better than the other). I really thought we'd win the cup that year. That day at Huddersfield was special too. I was there when we got promoted to the prem and the playoff final loss, but only have very vague memories of them both. It's never dull!
Quote from one of our finest, Danny Blanchflower "The game is about glory. It’s about doing things in style, with a flourish, about going out and beating the other lot, not waiting for them to die of boredom." Low periods like we've been stuck in do make you value our relative success. I remember at Wembley for the cup semi final saying to my lad, 7 at the time, how lucky we were - generations of supporters, family even, never saw top flight football, play off finals, cup semi finals snd so on. We got it all in just over 10 years. I hate what the game has turned into - you'd think it started in 1992. 1980 was my first season and I love BFC as much now as then. But I really hate "football".