After reading the thread about big Trev, it got me thinking again lol. What a memorable time it was ehh, and I'm lucky to be able to say, that 1981 was my first 'calendar' year of supporting the mighty Tykes. Promotion from the Third Division (the league we are now in of course, Lg One), and an ace first season back in the Second Division/the Championship. Oakwell was genuinely a fortress in those days, and its when 3 points for a win were introduced, and there were no Play offs in those days either. And when we had players like Glav and Banger, belting the ball in from midfield every week, it really does bring back proud memories of being a fan in those days.
That team was formidable and could have gone on to the top flight if we'd just invested in a couple of positions. That night when we held the European Champions to a goalless draw on their own patch will live long in the memory.
Yo Simon de Monty lol, I liked big Trev saying that the great Bob Paisley at Liverpool, even gave us great credit for that. And he suggested that we were maybe the best and hardest team to beat, at Liverpool/Anfield that season.
Why ohh why did Trev want to leave us though, at the end of the '81-82 season. Didn't it go to a tribunal for his sale to Millwall, and its arguable whether his career improved or went downhill after leaving us.
Aye great times to be a Red. Although my dad took me in the 1960s, it was the arrival of Clarkie that really hooked me and the following 3 seasons were immense. We were very unlucky not to get promoted in 1981/2, would have been in the playoffs (if they had existed then) and I reckon we'd have gone up. I was at Kenilworth Rd for the last game against the 2nd Division champions and we bossed the game, only settling for a draw after a stunning injury time equaliser....
I have it on good authority (from one of our star players of that team) that Big Trev told several players he regretted it and wanted to come back
Yeah Brush, there have been a few seasons where if the Play offs were introduced, or if we had made them... I think we would have gone up (season '90-91 is another example there).
Yeah Gord, I have heard that as well, and didn't he come back to us in season '85, in a failed loan spell ?.
Wanted to move back darn sarf. A tad homesick apparently. Furthest north he ever ventured bar us was Birmingham. 27 games 0 goals.
Horn Joyce Chambers Evans Mccarthy Banks Glavin Parker McHale Aylott Barrowclough Walker Campbell what a time to be alive.
Ronnie Glavin said that at the Lamproom a few years back. In fact, Ronnie said Trev immediately regretted it.
Id been going on and off with my dad since 1965 and was a fan but not diehard. I really got the bug in 75 when I was 15 and that just preceded Iley's two promotion near misses and then the arrival of Allan Clarke. I'd suggest for a lot of reasons late teens, early twenties are some of the most vibrant times of most people's lives. To have that coincide with Clarke, Hunter, Glavin etc, to see a club decades in the doldrums suddenly blossom into a marvellous, attacking machine with two promotions and almost another to the top flight. Yes. I was blessed. Great times.
That was a great time to follow the reds for sure, the away support was incredible too, The miners strike took away alot of that momentum the club had & in my humble opinion should have done alot more to support them, free entry etc.
Could write all night about those times and those teams. Just fantastic. Could give anyone a game of football and play them off the park. Superb support home and away. But having experienced players like that, it does give me a problem. It’s the standard by which I’ve judged our teams ever since - which almost certainly is unfair. And yet - who’s been a better defender than Macca? - who struck a ball harder or more accurately than Banger? - who held everything together better than Ray McHale? - who could cross a ball or beat a full back better than Barra? (Mel Sterland is still trying to untwist himself after the game at Swillsboro in November 81) - who held a ball up better than Big Trev - or had such good feet for a player his size? - who will ever compare to The King? (Don’t bother trying to think of the answer - there isn’t one) Thinking about it, what a cracking topic for discussion over a pint or two. COYR
Ohh yes, it's a match of legends innit. The only disappointing thing about that, is one team would have to wear the away kit!.
