I think that's aimed at me, hard to tell on mobile skin. I was a midfielder until I jacked in in my mid 30s. I am now a GK. I have played in every position on the pitch throughout my playing days. My lungs won't carry me round the pitch anymore though.
John Bettany, as a early teenager playing for Redfearns he and big Eric took time to advise. Everyone remembers Winnie so John it is.
My first hero (Winnie) has been mentioned several times. Someone who hasn't, and I'm not sure how many would remember him, is a centre forward called John Manning. I recall him scoring a couple of goals in the FA Cup against Chesterfield, probably 1973, with Winstanley up against him in the Chesterfield team. I took the afternoon off work because the game was being played in the afternoon due to power cuts (not sure if it was because of a miners strike or oil crisis). Also seem to recall a snow storm starting just after the game finished. So, while I certainly wouldn't class him as one of our all-time greats (those who saw him know there was only one Ronnie Glavin), John Manning sticks out in my mind as being worthy of mention.
Good thread this First player I noticed was David Booth - he was left back when I first started going and sitting in the West stand near the ponty so when we were defending the Ponty end he was the player nearest me
That's where my Dad & myself always sat in those days, Dave. Actually, David Booth is my all-time favourite Barnsley left back.
Our flying right back for a couple of seasons? Very highly, at the time. Unfortunately, it WAS only for a couple of seasons. 'Sam' was/is the epitome of unfulfilled potential.
All time favourite has to be Glavin,the greatest player ever to wear a red shirt.My first hero was Winstanley I'll never forget his Hat trick against Watford when we came back from losing 2-0.
I first started watching Barnsley in the Brian Joicey-era - going occasionally with my Dad, but to be honest can't remember much about that time. Is there any footage out there featuring Joicey, Tommy Graham, Derek Bell, etc? Would like to see it if so. Anyway, for me it was probably Clive Baker and Paul Futcher. Mainly because they were good players, but clearly intelligent. Baker would have played for a division 1 club had he been a couple of inches taller, and Paul Futcher's lack of pace probably prevented him from being a league 1 player as well. At least that's how I remember it.
For a while My uncle's wife had a nephew called Terry Curran. Thankfully, for my sake, they were divorced before that 'individual' became a professional footballer.
Mine will have to be John Beresford. Well he's the first one I truly followed of my own accord. Once did the coca cola training thing at which point if you passed you got a badge and photo taken on stage with a bfc player. All players were there (still have a sealed autograph page from the night with all players on it) and Beresford was on stage. I was in the queue and was desperate he didn't get swapped over to the next player. I was in fact the last one called up for Beresford. And even though it is approaching nearly 30 years ago I remember it as though it was last night. Oh and then we sold him to Portsmouth and built the new floodlights with the proceeds I believe.
Crazy. I also did the Coca Cola thing. Twas on Wombwell main when we did it. Bobby Charlton's name was attached to it, not that we saw him like. And like you, we went to the civic for our awards and photos taken on stage. The reds players there were Currie, Taggart, Fleming and another one I never remember. I wanted Currie. But my 'turn' meant I ended up with Taggart. Not exactly a let down. The photo was long since lost during one of my many moves over the years. Guts me it does.