Isn’t it strange. I used to know all the European cup finalist down through the years. Possibly because I was much younger and took a greater interest but tbh I could not tell you who played in the Champions League Cup finals over the last 20 years. I’ve little interest in the money generating bore fest which has replaced the glamour of the European Cup.
This thread has brought back a distant memory of a bloke who used to live near Oakwell who I think used to be a league referee. I’ve googled the name, but can’t find him. He’d be in his fifties in the 1970’s so that dates his career to around 1940’s/50’s I guess. The name I remember is Sid Jones. Anybody know him?
Remember him well.Was the caretaker for the Kendray playing fields in the sixties when there were tennis courts,bowling greens and mini golf.Once refereed us in a local match when the ref didnt turn up.One thing was that the park was spotless unlike now it being covered in rubbish especially in the kids playground.The kids new who was in charge then unlike now.
I remember him. Also Harold Hackney, who was another quite high-profile referee. He used to live in a bungalow which he called "Nay Ref" on Devonshire Drive, just off Cockerham Lane.
Whilst Holland and Hackney (and to a lesser extent Steve Lodge) get most of the plaudits as Barnsley refs, the best Barnsley refs who refereed me were George Martin and Dave Phillips. They were both brilliant at talking to the players to defuse any flare ups. I can’t remember Dave Phillips ever booking anybody in any game I played in.
Anybody who ever played against the CO OP on what was then known as the CO OP field must remember Eric, the bentest linesman god ever put breath into. Great guy by the way. RIP Eric.