This match was of course in 1987, not 1986, although only by a few days. At the start of this season Barnsley limped to a league record of 1 win, 1 draw and 6 defeats to open their campaign, and although they improved considerably from there, they still could only keep pace with the other teams around them, and by the time of new year, January 1st 1987, were deep in it. However, a remarkable turn of form after New Year's Day saw Barnsley lose only twice the rest of the season in the league, and they climbed all the way from rock-bottom into the top half of the table by the season's end. Back when managers were given time to turn things around, of course.
Lisa's husband, Andy here. Yes GH, I went to the home game and I think 1986-87 was Allan Clarke's best season as our gaffer. At the start he had to let Hirst, Owen and Walsh go (all our strikers). Then Campbell and Plummer followed suit. All to raise funds to save the club in what was our centenary year. The Hull away game closely followed by the victories over Caernarfon and Aldershot in the cup gave us momentum for the rest of the season and we never looked back and stayed up very comfortably despite selling Larry May as well. It was remarkable considering where we were at the start of January 1987. Stuart Gray was awesome that year alongside Futcher, Baker, Thomas, Wylde and two very young lads called Agnew and Beresford. 👍
Lisa's husband, Andy here. Yes they played with black numbers for all the 1986-87 season much to the consternation of all the radio and TV commentators at the time. They changed to white numbers due to popular demand for the 1987-88 season. 👍
That brought a few memories back
This match was of course in 1987, not 1986, although only by a few days.
At the start of this season Barnsley limped to a league record of 1 win, 1 draw and 6 defeats to open their campaign, and although they improved considerably from there, they still could only keep pace with the other teams around them, and by the time of new year, January 1st 1987, were deep in it.
However, a remarkable turn of form after New Year's Day saw Barnsley lose only twice the rest of the season in the league, and they climbed all the way from rock-bottom into the top half of the table by the season's end.
Back when managers were given time to turn things around, of course.
Lisa's husband, Andy here. Yes GH, I went to the home game and I think 1986-87 was Allan Clarke's best season as our gaffer. At the start he had to let Hirst, Owen and Walsh go (all our strikers). Then Campbell and Plummer followed suit. All to raise funds to save the club in what was our centenary year. The Hull away game closely followed by the victories over Caernarfon and Aldershot in the cup gave us momentum for the rest of the season and we never looked back and stayed up very comfortably despite selling Larry May as well. It was remarkable considering where we were at the start of January 1987. Stuart Gray was awesome that year alongside Futcher, Baker, Thomas, Wylde and two very young lads called Agnew and Beresford. 👍
Did Barnsley play all season with black numbers? Very strange! White would have been a lot clearer!
Lisa's husband, Andy here. Yes they played with black numbers for all the 1986-87 season much to the consternation of all the radio and TV commentators at the time. They changed to white numbers due to popular demand for the 1987-88 season. 👍