Just noticed that it's 39 years ago today that we destroyed Brighton in the League Cup 3rd round at Oakwell. I'd forgotten that we went 1-0 after only a couple of minutes but thereafter as I recall we dominated the rest of the game and won easily. In particular I remember a towering Mick McCarthy header from a corner and a fantastic long range chip from Trevor Aylott in the second half. That Brighton team was decent too, including Steve Foster who was at the time a England international. Couldn't live with Big Trev that night though. These highlights are very grainy but well worth watching anyway: And it was the following Saturday that we won 4-2 at Millmoor in another big win. What a great team that was - I have some fantastic memories of that side and also of our brilliant support.
Trev was up Burton Bank when he chipped their keeper and Macca nearly took the nets off their moorings with his header
Happy memories, thanks for posting mate. We had a great team back then, with some brilliant midweek games too.
39 fekkin years - where did that go? Stood here having to hold back the tears - what a side that was and what a time to be a Reds fan.
Someone on here has a 'signature' with a quote from Barry Davies on the night of the Man City game (next round) describing the sights and sounds of Oakwell and an atmosphere of a bygone era. Well my memory of the day after the Brighton match - I was 15 and had a part time evening job - was stopping for a cuppa and reading the assorted red-tops that were around to read the glowing match reports. One of them had not only a report, but a back page 'commentary piece' (for want of a better description) on just what a fine side we were, how we had not only beat but thoroughly dismantled Brighton (and others!) and that we were on course to be a force to be reckoned with in the top division. It was the most glowing tribute I ever saw to Normans great time that others have said above were a pure pleasure to watch. I would love to find the newspaper piece.
It truly was a magical part of our history and my only regret is that I couldn’t see every game because I was too far away. I missed this Brighton match but there was no way I was going to forgo the Man City one, long midweek journey or not! What a great decision that was as the Reds played yet another First Division side off the park. How this team failed to take the next step is a mystery. Maybe they were just short in one or two positions and, even though Hunter was doing a great job with what he had, the sad fact remains that he couldn’t quite get us up to the top flight. In those pre-Sky greed days we might just have made a good job of it as well. Ah well.....
It was another amazing night to be savoured , I was on the paddock by the half way line , rammed in like sardines but seeing those highlights has just brought the hairs up on the back of my arms , the best side I have witnessed in the reds shirt , special memories .
Great game - remember it well. Brighton manager said the Reds were top division quality. Aylott - the standard by which I judge all Barnsley centre forwards since. What a player.
We beat Brighton Swansea and Man City on that cup run. All top flight division 1 teams. Who were all relegated that same season I believe.
I don't think so JT. Swansea finished 6th, City 10th and Brighton 13th. And we lost to Liverpool who ended up as Champions. Edit: Think they were relegated the following season.