Memries of Barnsley

[grafikhaus]

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We last played Barnsley on 19th August, 2017 in a Championship match at Bramall Lane. An early goal by Billy Sharp settled this tightly-fought local derby. One of the main talking points was when Leon Clarke and Barnsley’s MacDonald ‘tangled’ just before half-time and both were sent off. This was the fourth league match of this season, United had just suffered consecutive defeats at Middlesbrough and Cardiff and this win over our near-neighbours was the first in a run of four straight wins.

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Since then – on 6th February 2018 – Barnsley manager Paul Heckingbottom left The Tykes to become manager of Leeds United on a (most-optimistic) 18-month contract. Heckingbottom’s first game in charge of Leeds (Feb. 10th) ended in a 2-1 defeat at Bramall Lane. On 16th February 2018, José Morais was named as the new Barnsley manager.

On 23rd April 2016, we played out a 0-0 draw at Bramall Lane in the third tier. The 23,307 crowd saw the Blades play in their ‘anniversary’ white shirts and – with just two games after this one left of the 2015/16 season, Barnsley would finish in sixth place and go on to win promotion to the Championship via the play-off final v. Millwall (3-1). Barnsley ended the normal season seven points behind fourth-placed Millwall. The Blades ended this season in a pitiful eleventh place, but good times were just around the corner. Nigel Adkins had just two more games left in charge at Bramall Lane and Chris Wilder was about to be appointed.

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On a sunny Saturday – 4th April 2015 – United, playing in unfamiliar yellow-and-black, won 2-0 at Oakwell in a third-tier game. Steve Davies and Jason Holt (me neither) scored for Nigel Clough’s Blades and just six league games of this season were left. United finished in fifth place and were in the play-offs before an incredible capitulation over two legs to Swindon Town meant United would face a fifth season in the third tier. Clough left after the Swindon debacle to be replaced by…Nigel Adkins.

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1st November, 2014 and Nigel Clough’s United suffered a 0-1 home reverse against Barnsley

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On 30th April 2011, the penultimate game of the 2010/11 season saw Barnsley draw 2-2 at Bramall Lane. (our goals, Matt Lowton and Lee Williamson). This draw saw United relegated to the third tier (although a Blades win wouldn’t have been enough to save us) where we would remain for six long seasons. This season saw four ‘managers’ in charge of the Blades – Kevin Blackwell, Gary Speed, John Carver (caretaker) before Micky Adams finished us off…

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continued>>>​

 

[grafikhaus]

9th November, 2009 and despite being twice behind in this Championship game at Oakwell, United drew 2-2 (Darius Henderson – 2)

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United’s team that night:



On March 22nd 2008, Kevin Blackwell’s Blades were chasing the play-off places in the Championship (we’d eventually finish 9th) and a single Billy Sharp goal saw us win 1-0 in front of 15,798.

On 8th November 2008, United won 2-1 at Oakwell in The Championship (Beattie 2 - 1p). During this game, United’s Chris Morgan elbowed Iain Hume as he was waiting for an aerial ball, and Hume suffered a fractured skull as a result whilst Morgan received only a yellow card. Hume underwent emergency surgery and spent 48 hours in the high-dependency unit of a Manchester hospital with life-threatening injuries. The Football Association chose not to charge Morgan as referee Andy D'Urso had shown Morgan a yellow card at the time of the incident; this was despite Barnsley Central MP Eric Illsley calling an Early day motion in Parliament for the FA to review their decision. Barnsley and Hume considered taking legal action against Morgan, who described the period since the incident as "a test of character". You decide…

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7th March 1997 and Barnsley completed their first-ever ‘double’ over the Blades, winning 2-0 at Oakwell in front of Sky cameras. Howard Kendall’s Blades would finish this season in fifth place in Division One. Look out for the joy of Barnsley’s manager – Danny Wilson.

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On 29th April 1995, we lost 1-2 at Oakwell (Paul Rogers) in this second-tier clash. Manager Dave Bassett only had eight more months to be manager at Bramall Lane.

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[grafikhaus]

The 1989/90 season saw probably the most significant games between The Blades and Barnsley. Drawn to play in the fifth round of the FA Cup at Bramall Lane on February 18th, 1990, Dave Bassett’s Blades drew 2-2 with our goals coming from Carl Bradshaw and Ian Bryson in front of a crowd of 33,113.

Three days later (Feb. 21), the replay at Oakwell saw a 0-0 draw in front of 27,672. League fixtures (United would end this season in second place to Leeds United in the second tier and winning promotion to the top flight) meant the second replay was not played until March 5th when United won at Oakwell 1-0 with a penalty from Tony Agana in front of another bumper crowd of 26,560. These three cup ties had been watched by a combined total crowd of 87,345. The Blades’ cup run would end in the sixth round at Bramall Lane when we lost 0-1 to Manchester United in front of 34,344.

February 20th, 1988 saw a 1-0 home win against Barnsley. The scorer (on his debut)? Tony Agana, who Dave Bassett bought from Watford. (Tony would score 42 goals in 118 appearances for The Blades). United ended this season relegated to the third tier after losing the relegation play-offs over two legs to Bristol City. The crowd for Agana’s debut reflected the dour mood at the time – 11,961.

On 9th November 1982 we were drawn at home against Barnsley in the third round of the League Cup. 1-0 up at half-time thanks to a Keith Edwards goal, Ian Porterfield’s Blades would lose this match 1-3 in front of 25,207:

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To date, our League results against Barnsley read:

Home: P: 32 W: 16 D: 10 L: 6 F: 52 A: 26

Away: P: 31 W: 10 D: 12 L: 9 F: 46 A: 39

Recent-ish meetings



Full Blades v Barnsley history

Significant others:

Dave Bassett

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The legendary Dave Bassett managed The Blades from 21st January 1988 until 12th December 1995. He couldn’t prevent The Blades falling into the third tier but, in the 1988-89 season, we won promotion straight back to the second flight and then immediately won a second promotion to take us back to the top flight for the first time since the 1975-76 season.

From May 1990 until December 2000, Bassett managed Barnsley.

 

[grafikhaus]

Chris Morgan

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Chris began his professional playing career at Barnsley and made his first-team debut on 10th January 1988. He would play at total of 185 games for The Tykes before joining United on a free transfer. He would make a total of 247 appearances for United and then had two brief stints as United’s caretaker manager.

Here’s a couple of pics. of Chris ‘enquiring after the health’ of Carlos Tevez…

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…and Robin Van Persie.

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Here’s the S24SU tribute to Chris on his retirement in 2012.

Danny Wilson

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Ex-Wednesday player Danny managed The Blades from 27th May 2011 until 10th April 2013. His appointment was met with some disapproval as around 400 United fans gathered in the South Stand car park and could be heard during Wilson’s introductory press conference.

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During his time as United’s manager, Wilson had a very respectable win ration of 51.89% (the highest of his managerial career). However, his time at Bramall Lane was cursed from the start (see above). In the 2011-12 season, United were closing in on promotion from the third tier. With just three matches left, top scorer Ched Evans (who was on 29 goals – the next-highest was Lee Williamson on 13) was wrongfully-arrested and missed these last three games. Prior to his arrest, United had won their previous six games. Without Ched, we gained just two points out of the last nine and fell out of the automatic promotion places – to be replaced by…Sheffield Wednesday. We got to the play-off final (having beaten the mighty Stevenage over two legs) where we lost to Huddersfield Town after extra time and penalties. Yet another ‘no-show’.

Wilson’s final game as United manager came with just six games of the 2012-13 remaining. A 0-2 home defeat to Crawley meant Wilson would be replaced by caretaker-manager Chris Morgan.

Wilson had two spells as Barnsley manager. In 1993, he joined The Tykes on a free transfer from Sheffield Wednesday as player-assistant manager. 12 months later, the manager – Viv Anderson – left to join Middlesbrough as assistant manager to Bryan Robson. In Wilson’s first season as Barnsley manager (1994-95) his team finished sixth in Division One. In an ordinary season this would have meant occupying a playoff place, but due to the Premier League reducing from 22 to 20 clubs, only two teams would be promoted (with fifth placed club occupying the final playoff place) and Barnsley missed out. (Told you he was cursed…)

However in the following season, 1996–97, Wilson guided Barnsley to the Premier League as Division One runners-up. It was the first time that Barnsley had won promotion to the top division of English football. Although their stay lasted only a single season before relegation, Wilson's side reached the FA Cup quarter finals knocking out favourites Manchester United in the fifth round.

In the summer of 1998 (7th July), Wilson left Barnsley to become manager of Sheffield Wednesday where he lasted until 21st March 2000. His win percentage at Hillsborough was just 28.75% over 80 games – the lowest of his managerial career.

On 17th December 2013 – after spells at Bristol City, MK Dons, Hartlepool, Swindon Town and The Blades – Wilson returned to Oakwell. On 12th February 2015 he was sacked and joined Chesterfield on Christmas Eve 2015, where he continued to ‘work his magic’…he was sacked by The Spireites on 8th January 2017.

Jan Åge Fjørtoft

Jan had short spells at both The Blades, Barnsley and our next opponents Middlesbrough.

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More>>>

 

[grafikhaus]

Championship Table

Barnsley have not won a league game in their last six fixtures, have won just once in their last 14 and last won on February 24th, 2018 – a 2-0 win at Birmingham. An upturn in Birmingham’s form has left The Tykes five points adrift in the relegation places:



Full Championship Table

Form Guide

Barnsley are currently second-bottom in the current ‘form guide’ over the last six league games:



Full Form Guide

Men to Watch

Without a stand-out striker, Ollie McBurnie (currently on loan from Swansea City and recently called into the full Scotland team) is Barnsley’s current top scorer with six goals in ten appearances.

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[blade.i.am]

Barnsley haven't won at home for 5 months, but then Bolton hadn't won away in 37 attempts til Boxing Day. A must win and preferably a big win. Our goal difference is poor and with 6 teams so close it might come down to that.

 

[metalblade]

The only memory I have of my last visit to Oakwell was being too pissed to remember it, oh and the usual bollocks at the level crossing afterwards.

 

[benn5712]

Tony Agana's goal on his debut in 88. An 1 - 2 with Richard Cadette, into the box and lifted the ball over 't goalie.
For the first time, Cadette actually looked happy in a blades shirt. Perhaps a good attacking partnership was being forged.
Therefore Cadette was soon sold and a gangling hobbledehoy was bought for nowt from Donny.

 

[away ends always empty.]

My last visit was in 1990 tony agana scored a penalty in the epic cup battle.
The half time raffle was to win a ncb donkey jacket.

 

[McGrath]

Last time I was there was for the Morgan/Hulme incident. I was sat right behind it.

It was an awful incident and I thought there and then he's gonna be sent off. I'm still surprised he wasn't.

That said, I still don't think he meant it. Morgan just headed the ball the way he always headed it. Arms out, body braced like a bouncer

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Been loads of times, but my lasting memory is of them having a few players I'd have liked to have seen in a Blades shirt, Ronnie Glavin, Steve Agnew, Ian Banks, Mick McCarthy, Trevor Aylott to name a few.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I’ll be perfectly happy with sticking with Clarke & Brooks for Saturday, but it does have the feel of one that Sharp would do well in based on his past games for us vs Barnsley.

 

[Sean Thornton]

First time I remember seeing an S24SU day out.

Expected more Top hats and halos if I'm honest.

 

[I should coco]

Top service from grafikhaus and posted between 3 -4am for the lads to enjoy with their brekkie. Don't you 'do bed' then?

Stood on the open away end mid 80s when it chucked it down all night, went for the 'here to see me' Elleray cup game(s) and a few more times in the 90s, but not to the last few. Very poor memories for me with some very dour games and the Dingles generally shading it.

Saturday is potentially a 'defining' game for both. A win for us puts us right back in it with all our play rivals to play at the Lane (I'm thinking Brizzle will be out of it by the time the last game comes along). They desperately need a win, as they are 5 points from safety (plus a game in hand) and look likely to fulfill their new owners's promises to 'get out of this division as soon as possible'.

 

[Cheets]

I remember circa '86 standing on their open away end. We were losing 1-0 but managed a smash and grab with a Morris penalty and a Phillishave goal in the last few minutes. That said, I don't think the hatred from their fans was really present in those days unless I was too young to appreciate it.

 

[grafikhaus]

Top service from grafikhaus and posted between 3 -4am for the lads to enjoy with their brekkie. Don't you 'do bed' then?

Nah. '4 hours sleep a day insomniac', me.

You can only send post including 5 media clips at one go, so I had to split this one into five sections. If I'd posted it in the day, before I'd copied/pasted/uploaded everything, somebody would have been dying to hit the 'like' button before it was complete.

I know what you lot are like.

 

[I should coco]

Nah. '4 hours sleep a day insomniac', me.

Much like your great heroinne, Margaret Thatcher then?

I know what you lot are like.

Little tinkers the lot of us.......

 

[Beans]

Barnsley were such a bogey team for us when I started watching United - look at this stretch, one win against them in 15 games!

 

[grafikhaus]

Barnsley haven't won at home for 5 months, but then Bolton hadn't won away in 37 attempts til Boxing Day. A must win and preferably a big win. Our goal difference is poor and with 6 teams so close it might come down to that.

Dunno about a 'big win', just 3 points will do. Since their last home win (4th November, 2017) they've drawn at home with Bristol City, Norwich, pigs, Wolves, Reading, Preston and Norwich. No mugs.

 

[Cheets]

Been loads of times, but my lasting memory is of them having a few players I'd have liked to have seen in a Blades shirt, Ronnie Glavin, Steve Agnew, Ian Banks, Mick McCarthy, Trevor Aylott to name a few.

Porterfield tried to sign Trevor Aylott didn't he? But we signed Ray McHale instead.

 

[dublin 10 blade]

Unfortunately me memorize of
“ Cumon Kes “country aren’t as pleasant as some
First scrap at a footie game after being ambushed walking to train station from a night game ,
Standing on that open end getting pissed on for a drawn game
Then carnage at Midland station after another bore draw 0-0
Leeds fans were in town for some reason and attacked the front of our supporters on the long bridge running along the station , unfortunately for them , they didn’t realize the rest of the line of Blades weren’t 14 year olds and got pasted all over the train station.
So I gave up going to the land that time forgot .
Too much hassle

 

[Silent Blade]

I remember circa '86 standing on their open away end. We were losing 1-0 but managed a smash and grab with a Morris penalty and a Phillishave goal in the last few minutes. That said, I don't think the hatred from their fans was really present in those days unless I was too young to appreciate it.

October 1987. I was there too. Agnew opened the scoring from a free kick

 

[Billyblade]

Bassett going on the pitch to David Elleray at Oakwell, then asking him in the tunnel if he could come and have a word to be greeted by a curt "no".
Missile exchange on the train platforms and hitting the deck on the train home as it passed through Wombwell (they can throw bricks pretty hard with 6 fingers) are my overriding memories.

 

[coaxingstar71]

I was at the Lane for that League Cup game in 1982. They had a really good side, especially Glavin, Banks and Aylott.

 

[CarlingBlade]

Been a few times:

1989 - first ever away game and ended up stood with the Dingles, Bradders and a late penalty meant a 2-1 win for the Blades
2001 - 1-1 D'Jaffo
2005 - 1-0 Sharp
2015 - 1-1 Basham (bastards equalized in the last minute)

Not going saturday, £36.00 is a disgrace.

 

[wardonia_blade]

County Cup game, night match at Oakwell in the late 60's I think. 2-0 up but lost 3-2.

 

[Cheets]

Been a few times:

1989 - first ever away game and ended up stood with the Dingles, Bradders and a late penalty meant a 2-1 win for the Blades
2001 - 1-1 D'Jaffo
2005 - 1-0 Sharp
2015 - 1-1 Basham (bastards equalized in the last minute)

Not going saturday, £36.00 is a disgrace.

They went bottom of League One after that Basham game and ended up getting promoted via the play-offs.

 

[Bartleby]

Just hoping we beat them and help to send them down

 

[Rufus Smalls]

Right here's a very vague recollection of my first visit to Oakwell -

It was very late 70's and I was still at school so me and a mate went on a coach from Denby Sportsman. It was a Tuesday night match and all the Blades fans were behind the goal on the terracing as it was back then and there must have been around 6000 fans on the one end .

Think we drew 0-0 and one of our players seemed to miss a sitter from about 6 yards in front of the masses of Blades at the death.

The player that comes to mind is, wait for it ..... Pedro Verde !!!!? Please someone confirm this or otherwise as old age is doing my nut in !!!

 

[grafikhaus]

Right here's a very vague recollection of my first visit to Oakwell -

It was very late 70's and I was still at school so me and a mate went on a coach from Denby Sportsman. It was a Tuesday night match and all the Blades fans were behind the goal on the terracing as it was back then and there must have been around 6000 fans on the one end .

Think we drew 0-0 and one of our players seemed to miss a sitter from about 6 yards in front of the masses of Blades at the death.

The player that comes to mind is, wait for it ..... Pedro Verde !!!!? Please someone confirm this or otherwise as old age is doing my nut in !!!

25th March 1980 in the old Third Division. 0-0 and United's team was: 1. Tony Poole 2. John Cutbush 3. Paul Garner 4. Tony Kenworthy 5. John McPhail 6. Paul (?) Jones 7. Steve Charles 8. Pedro Verde 9. Viv Busby 10. Alex Sabella 11. Steve Charles. Crowd: 19,686. Manager was 'Happy' Harry Haslam. We finished in 12th place (below Grimsby (!), Colchester (!), Chester (!!!) and Exeter (!!!), Barnsley finished 11th. The pigs were promoted...