2014 - A YEAR TO FORGET?

Seeing your club relegated and losing nearly twice as many games as they win is bound to leave you thankful that the year is over and with a new one about to begin, a new dawn will break with new resolutions. It's been awful has 2014, no question about that. We had to witness not only that relegation, but a lot of players supposedly fighting for survival who either weren't capable, or were, but couldn't be bothered to put a shift in. One of them wanted to fight with us, one even gave us the finger. The defeats against Huddersfield, Wednesday and Leeds were horrific or heartbreaking. The rays of light so infrequent, as we more or less surrendered our record holding status as a second tier club. The sad fact that Danny Wilson was in the dugout for half of the season, and that we dropped on the 26th April just plunged the knife in deeper. Yep, 2014 was wucking fank... 





For those ignoring all the eventualities and obvious fallout that a relegation brings upon a club, the new season will also seem just as dire. Results haven't been great. They've not even been okay. We're hovering just above another relegation zone, only a level lower down. But the green shoots of recovery are there for all to see, should you open your eyes or remove the blinkers that agendas provide you with. The mammoth rebuilding task is under way. We've blooded a handful of teenagers. The likes of Bree, Nana, Oates, Abbott, Cowgill, Smith and Holgate. Academy products. We've recruited other promising youngsters in Hourihane, Winnall, Berry, Williams and Davies. You'd be a harsh critic to be saying anything but good stuff about the lot of them. Unfortunately, it's our experienced lads who've struggled the most in 2014-15 thus far. 





For the awful to endure defeats of last season, I've had the pleasure of seeing some great victories so far this time around. Notably, Sheff Utd away, Bradford at Oakwell and of course, Rochdale away. Seen some gash on show too. Not felt as embarrassed as I was against Milton Keynes in erm, well, since last season. So aye, the shít defeats are still there. And those days have been hard again, because the dissenters among us often then scream for a change in manager. I sort of understand that, in this modern age of football. But come on, look at where we are. We're here in part (a large part) because our board can't stick it out with the manager. We're always told they've found the perfect man. But a year or so down the line it's the manager blamed once more. They can't all be bad. There's one doing a decent job in League Two right now, our last manager. The one who preceded him has his little club well above us at present, with no money (as he loves to remind everybody). And the bloke prior to that? He was in the away dugout at Oakwell recently, taking three points home with him and his now upwardly mobile outfit. 





Patience and a strong stomach. Prerequisites. We'll get it reight. Rome wasn't built in a day, nor were the sides at the top of our division. Lets stick this out for a change. I believe our board finally get that this time. Lets hope we as a fanbase can stick together too. We've backed the lads brilliantly so far this season, our away support bettered by just two other clubs who are at the top end of the table. We're also a good and charitable bunch. The continued great work of BFC fanzine 'West Stand Bogs' deserves all the respect in the world, and I'm proud to play a very small part in that. 





Fingers crossed we enjoy next year. 



Here's a video (below) for you, and may I wish all of you reading this a happy and prosperous new year 2015. You Reds. 




'Love Barnsley, Hate Football' 

BOBBY HASSELL INTERVIEW

I recently interviewed former reds stalwart, Bobby Hassell for the lads at West Stand Bogs but in case you couldn't get hold of a copy of issue six of the fanzine, I'm uploading the full piece here tonight. I hope you enjoy it. 

AW: So, Bobby. Thanks for agreeing to this. Much appreciated. 

BH: No problem, Andy. Looking forward to it. 

AW: Tell me about your first season here. I remember you getting some reight stick early doors. 

BH: I think it's fair to say it was a difficult start. I'd only had two weeks off due to being in the playoffs with Mansfield. So I'd not had much time to rest up physically. I think I was probably a little scarred by that defeat too, plus I'd just left a club I'd been at for eight years, left many friends I had there. That first year at Barnsley was probably where I first hit a bad run of form in my career. With regards to any stick, it's part and parcel of being a professional footballer. It didn't bother me then, and doesn't bother me when people say things now either. 

AW: "I didn't enjoy it at Barnsley from day one" would have been a proper answer, Bob. Think on. Can tha believe he came out with that? International football's gone to his head.

BH: I can't comment on Scott's feelings. He never expressed them to us at the club put it that way. But I don't feel many of the players that joined us in the last few years actually enjoyed being here. 

AW: Really? That shocks me does that. Take Frimpong for example. He seemed f*****g delighted to sign up. 

BH: Haha. I dunno. I'm only deducing that from the stuff I heard in the dressing room. 

AW: Tell us about Mido.. 

BH: At least four stone overweight but as funny as anything. When he actually trained well, he really was unbelievable. Just a shame he couldn't reach the required fitness levels to continue his career.

AW: That 25 minute cameo or whatever it was, was so worth it. Lets get back to happier times. The promotion squad - tight knit group? 

BH: Yes, we were. I suppose it helped that most of us were the same age and quite a few lived in town back then. Additionally, we were winning games too which breeds team spirit. 

AW: Rumours have it there was a drinking culture back then amongst the squad. True? 

BH: Yes there was. Enough said. 

AW: Can't complain. We got promoted. Didn't you play on through injury in that playoff final? 

BH: No, it was cramp. The roof was over that day and lots of lads went down with cramp due to the lack of oxygen. It felt like we could hardly breathe! 

AW: That was a special day. But then a few months later, Andy Ritchie was sacked. Were you surprised?

BH: I was devastated. I still think the club acted too hastily. And as ever in football, the next manager seems to be given increased funds to work with. I'd have loved to have seen what Andy could have achieved if that was the case. 

AW: Aye, and then whenever a new bloke came in, they always seemed to try replacing you. But you often changed their minds. Well, most of em. Is that how it was? 

BH: Yes, exactly. I wasn't the only one though. New managers want their own players, naturally. But the reason I was still here after all those years was down to my self belief and determination to fight and win back my place. Others were shipped out. I still believe only John Stones came in and improved the team, playing in my position. 

AW: Probably. But then, that meant we had Wiseman at centre half so it didn't get us anywhere. It did young John, mind. Wiseman was never a centre half. He's better going forward with the ball, more like Trippier, albeit not at his level.

BH: Tripps has gone on to 'be' better. But at the time he was here he had a lot of defensive frailties which cost us a few goals. Now he's a top quality right back and I'm over the moon seeing both he and John in the Premiership. 

AW: Me too. Meks thi proud. Tell me about the cup run. I thought you were outstanding, in two positions. 

BH: I played right back at Liverpool, centre mid against Chelsea. They were both outstanding games and two of my best memories at the club. Liverpool was the more exciting one for me as I'm a Liverpool fan and it was at Anfield. It was clearly our day what with the amount of blocks we made and the saves Luke made. 

AW: Unreal that day. You couldn't have written a better script for it. 

BH: Chelsea though was different. Nobody expected us to do it twice. But we were more relaxed going into that one. In the dressing room at half time, it was 0-0 and we'd probably been the better side. We thought 'we can win this', and we did. It was a fabulous achievement for the club and the town and one I'm proud to have been a part of. 

AW: One of my favourite Bobby memories was the clearance off the line at Hillsborough. What a night.

BH: It was pure instinct. Without being big headed, I think that has always been one of my strengths - my reading of situations, my positioning. As the keeper closed down Tudgay, I ran straight back to the goal line and yes, did my job. 'One Bobby Hassell' was sung afterwards, which was nice. 

AW: Not as nice as 'Oh Bobby Hassell' though.... 

BH: That's the song I'll be remembered for probably. I guess it's a privilege really. There's not many songs over the last ten years about players that have lasted so long. My son's older now but my family used to cover his ears subtly whenever it was sung. As he got older though he knew there was something in there and so we changed the words to satisfy his need to know. Unfortunately, he googled 'Bobby Hassell song' and came out with the words! 

AW: Good lad. Will we ever hear it again, but sung in his honour? He's a good young player himself isn't he? 

BH: He was exceptional at 6/7 years old. I used to constantly teach him the technical side, but kids get lazier as they grow up and you constantly end up trying to enthuse them. As a father, I just want him to be happy with whatever he chooses to do. 

AW: Talk to me about God. Well, not really, but tell me how you found your faith. 

BH: I became 'reborn' on the 12th November 2009 in box ten of the East Stand! I'd attended bible study alongside other players with club chaplain Peter Amos and decided I wanted to make that commitment. All I'll say is, that it was the best decision of my life. My testimony is available to read online somewhere. I could speak about this all day! My passion is Jesus, and God willing, Bruce (Bruce, Bruce Dyer) and I will one day have our own church here in Barnsley. 

AW: Each to their own, pal. I'm not going to knock others for what they believe in. If everyone had the same appreciation for others' faith, world'd be better. Or summat. 

Anyway, now you've left, what are your plans? You're well loved here and an ambassador for our town. 

BH: I don't want this taken the wrong way, but whenever I've gone into the community, it's never been for the football club. I don't go as Bobby Hassell, footballer. I go as Bobby Hassell. I've a passion to help people in our community and serve as a good role model for future generations. I'm not naive. I've been invited into peoples homes and to events because I am Bobby Hassell the footballer, but I've tried to use that in a positive way, to give back somehow. If I'm an ambassador for anyone, it's for Jesus Christ and I will always represent the town in any way I can. 

AW: What was it like playing at Wembley? 

BH: Fantastic. It's something you don't think will happen if you're not a top flight player. I've played at the Millennium Stadium twice too so it could have been three Wembley appearances. 

AW: Could have been four if Kayode hadn't fluffed his lines, bless him. 

Tell us summat random about Bobby Hassell...

BH: Ok... I was once approached in Derby city centre after a night out by a boxing trainer. He was well known and wanted me to join his ranks. I'm embarrassed to say he had spotted my 'talents' by witnessing me knock out a handful of people outside a nightclub. He said I was a natural. But once I'd sobered up the next day I was embarrassed by my actions. 

AW: Haha. Legend. Wish you'd approached a few down Oakwell in that manner the last couple of years.. 

Mark Robins - what the chuff happened there? That came from nowhere. Bit like my questions today.

BH: I had four or five conversations with Mark in the days leading up to it, and he was adamant that he was going to remain here and stick it out. He then resigned! He did give me the courtesy of a phone call though and apologised, but he had his reasons for making the decision he did. 

AW: He's not long since done it again at Huddersfield. Strange. Seemed a good bloke, decent enough manager too. 

BH: I loved playing for him, I think I played some of my best football under him actually. 

AW: Who were the best footballers that you played with whilst at BFC? 

BH: I'd say John Stones, Stephen McPhail, Jason Shackell, Anderson da silva and Heinz Muller would be in my top five. On football terms. 

AW: No Butterfield? You've disappointed me, Bob. 

BH: Jacob's a very talented player.. 

AW: Too late, mate. 

BH: Haha. 

AW: But seriously, Stonesy's taking the mickey int he? England laiker and't lot already. And a top lad to boot. 

BH: I knew from the moment I saw him at 15 he'd be going to the top. I think he'll prove to be one of the best centre halves the club has produced. He's very much in the mould of Rio Ferdinand. He's a fantastic player, and more importantly, a very grounded and humble lad. Got his head screwed on. A top guy. 

AW: Who were your best pals at the club? 

BH: Martin Devaney, Rob Kozluk, Darren Moore, Stephen Foster and Paul Hayes. I'm still in regular contact with them all. 

AW: Nice to see you name em all as the best players you played with too.... 

BH: Haha. 

AW: Were there any players you didn't get on with? 

BH: Back in my 'fighting' days, Chris Shuker. We'd made up by the time he left though. 

AW: I model my forehead on Shuker's. But regards former players, who do you expect to see at your testimonial game next summer? 

BH: There's too many to name really. It's something I'll have to go through carefully over the next few months. It'd be nice if I could get a feeling from supporters about who they'd like to see involved. 

AW: Mido would be hilarious. So, what's the crack with the testimonial? It was happening this year, then got postponed. Why? 

BH: Many reasons. Too long a list to go through actually. Darren Hayes (committee leader) tried allsorts and was promised things on numerous occasions only to be let down at the last minute. The club informed us they were unable to assist us in any testimonial events for tax reasons so we've had to plough on through ourselves and just hit various hurdles. 

AW: I'm pretty sure the lads here at WSB will be happy to help where possible. 

BH: That's appreciated. I just hope I won't be forgotten and everyone can make it because I don't feel I was ever afforded a proper opportunity to say goodbye to the likes of yourself, the thousands of fans who've supported me over the last ten years. 

AW: Can't make it, mate. Washing the bit of my head where my hair once resided. 

BH: Bit? 

AW: Ha! I'm sure it'll be a cracking day for you and for us. Be even better if we're promoted too. Double celebration. 

AW: I'm going to get into the nitty gritty stuff now. Starting with 'Hillcroft'. Despite neither them or you admitting owt publicly, you didn't get on did you? 

BH: Hand on heart, Andy, I had no problem with them. But it became increasingly obvious that they took issue with me. That was evident on the training field, in interviews they conducted and the amount of times I was summoned to their office. I couldn't tell you what their issues were, you'd have to ask them. But what I do know, is that I can look at myself in the mirror with a clear conscience with regards to how I conducted myself at the football club throughout my whole time there. And, I'm happy they're both at clubs and doing well because I think they're both very talented managers in their own ways. I found their training style exceptional to be fair. 

AW: You're just too nice, mate. 

Rochdale away. Your Gordon Banks impression. What a day. It seems strange that the only two blokes not to come onto the pitch to congratulate you after your heroics in goal, were Hillcroft... 

BH: If I'm honest, I never really noticed that. The funny thing for me was that the day before, Keith had told an agent I know that he didn't want me here, to get a club to take me. It was ironic then, that I ended up coming on and played a part in that victory, and especially so against his old club! 

AW: You saw John Stones score at Rochdale... 

Fast forward a few months and I couldn't believe it when Flicker stayed behind after Keith got the sack. Did it surprise you? 

BH: In a way yes. They were that close I expected him to follow Keith out of loyalty. But he must have had his reasons for staying, and it worked out for the good of the club in the end. Well, for that season at least. 

AW: Did you ever hear that interview Flicker gave Radio Deedar where he got monk on when the reporter mentioned your name? 

BH: I did listen, after being told about it by every Tom, Dick and Harry. I was disappointed. It was so obvious wasn't it? Not that it was the first time I'd been disrespected. I think that's what hindered me though, my name being constantly spoken of. I felt like a political pawn at times. One manager told me "all these questions in the media, the fans singing for you to play, it's killing you". Unfortunately, I had little control over either. 

AW: I'm guilty then of that. I just wanted our best players playing. Think the manager preferred his best mates playing. 

Getting that header though, the winner against Watford. Bet that was unreal. 

BH: It was funny. I came on at right back, where I'd been told I couldn't play anymore. It was actually my last game at fullback. I was informed that I'd be unable to play there anymore due to my age. I replaced a lad three years older than me that day.. 

One of their smaller lads was marking me at set plays etc, and I told him that if it went anywhere near me I was scoring. So when I did, it felt immense and some people probably had to eat humble pie that evening. 

AW: "His legs have gone" "He's too old" "He's injury prone" are the sort of things I read/heard about you over the last couple of years. It's b****** isn't it? 

BH: Of course. I think from coming into the team after months sidelined has shown my legs hadn't gone and I'm still fit. The problem at any age is coming in like that is extremely hard then for you to perform, but I think I always did that. You then get little niggles and that's purely down to a lack of match fitness. I went down with cramp at Leeds for example. I'd not started a match for six months! But then I started again against Bolton a few days later. I wasn't subbed off due to injury though as suggested. I was picked to start against Birmingham in fact but was injured in training the day before. But when I regained fitness I just couldn't get a look in regardless of how the team was performing. 

AW: You were immense at Leeds in Danny's return. One of the best 45 minutes I've seen from any player in my 26 years as a red. I expected you to be a fixture in his side. So what went wrong there? 

BH: I wish I knew. I've no idea to this day. That's football though. Things change from day to day. I was very disappointed though, don't get me wrong, but football doesn't dictate my happiness. So many players' moods are though, and it's very dangerous. It's no wonder some lads struggle after hanging up their boots. 

AW: It seems we had some bad apples at the club last season. We certainly had bad players. I mean, what the f*** was Brek Shea? 

BH: It would be wrong of me to comment on players' characters or personalities. But I do know there were a lot of lies told about me. One of my best mates in football came through the door which was a blessing, as I got to know what was being said behind my back! And the good thing about that, was that I know how much I've changed. The person Liam (Lawrence) knew ten years ago would have reacted a lot differently to how I did this time around. It's a shame that some felt envious towards me due to my popularity with the people of the town. But it's helpful and imperative to appreciate that this is a relationship built up over ten years. Not overnight. 

AW: I was lucky enough (cheers pal) to be sat with your missus and kids the day we stopped up at Huddersfield. You had the misfortune of being sat with my good mate Matt Bailey. What was that day like, the dressing room etc? 

BH: As you can imagine, it was like we'd won the league. I suppose I'm old school when it comes to this, a bit like Roy Keane. As much as we'd stayed up against the odds, I still felt a bit like we were celebrating failure. Maybe that's my age though, and the fact I'd been in this division for so long? I didn't feel we should have been scrapping down their at the bottom again. 

AW: The contract offer in the summer of 2013 - what was that all about? I hear you were offered a massive reduction in salary, something you eventually accepted. Others believe Flicker didn't even want you here full stop. What happened really? 

BH: All of that is true. I've no need to elaborate. 

AW: You've had offers to leave BFC in the past, tell us more. 

BH: In my ten years here, I've had a few. Cardiff approached me after promotion. Hull and Stoke, who were promoted to the Premier League a couple of years later. Wednesday came in for me under Simon Davey, that was never happening. Nor was Leeds when they approached me regards joining at the end of the season, think it was four, five years back now. But I was offered an extension in March I think by Mark and obviously I signed up. 

Most recently, was a loan deal to Sheffield United when Keith was still here. Unfortunately, that was for some reason blocked. I was informed that I'd be allowed to join Scunthorpe though.. which I declined. 

AW: Do you now wish you had left at any time? 

BH: In hindsight and from a purely footballing perspective, yes! But from a spiritual perspective? Absolutely not. I think the relations and doors that have been opened to me in the town have shown I'm meant to be here. For the time being at least. 

AW: How do you think we're doing so far this season, Barnsley, and will you get to games? 

BH: When I do come to Oakwell, I'm with my friends. Phil Rouse, Kev Beckett etc. I've also been with the family. In terms of BFC this season, it's a transitional period. Danny knows that division more than most though and he knows what it takes to compete down there. 

AW: What are your thoughts on forums/message boards, twitter etc? 

BH: Potentially dangerous. If used in the wrong manner they can degenerate into a tool for breeding hatred. Social media ensures that players and managers are given less time in my opinion to produce the goods, as I do know for a fact that those involved in the decision making at clubs do read them. 

AW: Who was your favourite manager? 

BH: Andy Ritchie. 

AW: Would you ever risk your status here by returning to manage the club one day? 

BH: As we speak now, no. Once I retire, and the memories of the last couple of years fade, then who knows? Never rule anything out in life. I'll forever love this football club but I wasn't wanted as a player or coach just a few months ago, so perhaps I'll never be wanted back anyway?! 

AW: As a big fundraiser yourself who commits a lot of time to good causes, what are your thoughts on WSB and it's efforts thus far to help out the community? 

BH: It's excellent. Anything that's in place primarily to help out its community can only be commended. 

AW: What do the club think of WSB? We get the feeling that those in charge aren't reight keen, despite their claims to the contrary...? 

BH: You'd have to ask them directly, but it's my opinion that the club should respect its fanbase. 

AW: Exactly. We're providing a service. By the fans for the fans. And all profits are going back into the community. Well, back into the tills in the many pubs Dyson and Gaz visit... in the community. Ahem.

Do you have a message for the readers of WSB and the BFC fans in general? 

BH: Thank you for what has been an amazing ten years. It's been the best part of my life. On and off the pitch. It's been a unique relationship I've had with you all. And I reckon I've been part of a relatively successful period at the club on the whole. We had a promotion, staying up against the odds (until last season), a Wembley visit after beating Liverpool and Chelsea. It's been joyous. 

I've made friends for life, I became a Christian, two of my four children were born here. It's almost as though the club has gone full circle in my time here. It was in League One when I arrived, I just hope that Danny and the new lads can give you some happy times again, and hopefully get the club back into the Championship. 

AW: And finally, what's your plans going forward, in terms of laiking/coaching/whatever? 

BH: Well, I turned down a couple of clubs early in the summer. They were too far away and it'd have meant moving away. In June, I'd agreed to sign for a club in League One. The contract was agreed, but on the day of the manager returning from holiday and with me due to meet him to seal the deal, he told my friend who was dealing with the contract that he's spoken to an ex manager of mine and that he no longer wished to sign me. I didn't question the decision. There's no point. A good friend of mine, John Dennis had already warned me this could happen. 

I then accepted an invitation to train with Bradford City. I went there for a month to prove I was fit and what not, and I really enjoyed it. But although I was told that I was doing well and that my fitness was good, I was later told that I wasn't going to get a deal and the manager cited financial reasons for it. But I do feel Steve Parkin was behind me being recruited really. It's a shame as I enjoyed it there, great group of lads and obviously ideal in terms of location. 

I've had other options since, in League Two and the Conference but you're talking 2 hour drives there, 2 hours back. I didn't feel I'd enjoy it and the travelling is a lot harder as you get older. 

In the background throughout was this Indian deal simmering. I was waiting to see if a close friend of mine would get the managers job at this particular club. He was successful and so asked if I'd assist him as well as going out there to play for him. We'd be building a club from scratch pretty much, so what better way to learn? It's owned by a billionaire company with ambitious ideas. It's too good an opportunity to let pass by. I can obviously see the irony in me turning down clubs just a few hours away yet now I'm potentially leaving the country! But it's the coaching side, building something that excites me. Had it just been a playing deal I'd not have been as keen. 

AW:  All the best with that, pal. Bit of an adventure for you. Thought you'd have been put off them after your time under Flicker...

I wish you and your family all the best in whatever you do next and in the future, and I look forward to the testimonial on May 4 next year. Thanks, Bobby. The love of my life.... 

Bobby has since signed for Bharat FC in the Indian League. Their season begins in January, and I'm sure we'll all be wishing him well over there. 

Thanks for reading. 

Whitey

'Love Barnsley, Hate Football'

.

WALK ON, WITH HOPE IN YOUR HEART

Last Saturday, 30 of us met up at Oakwell at about 3:15am to walk 26 miles to Chesterfield to watch Barnsley lose a game of football. As you do. 

No, we were actually doing it in aid of charity. The walk was organised by the lads at West Stand Bogs with all donations going to a local homeless charity, the BCDP (Barnsley Churches Drop-In Project). The target was £500. The total raised was well over £5,000. 

I've been through the reasons behind the chosen charity and its aims etc in the previous blog post, so I can't be arséd doing so again. Soz. This posting is about the walk itself and in parts, about the game of football at the end of it. 

I'd travelled over to Barnsley by train on Friday afternoon, with only the clothes on my back and a bag full of waterproofs. The forecast for Saturday was horrendous. I met up with Red Roy at the Premier Inn Hotel in town around 4.45pm, which is where we were staying overnight. We had a couple of pints and then headed into town to find some food and more ale. We chose Bramah's and settled on the Barnsley Chop. Think it was about £7 for the meal and a pint which seemed good value. That is until we saw the chop. There's more meat on my arsé. Not many. Tasted oreight, like, to be fair. 

We'd bumped into Gaz and Dale at that point. The latter was sleeping at Gaz's and doing the walk the next day. Unfortunately, Gaz had purposely broken his leg a few weeks prior so he wasn't able to join us, but did say he'd be at Oakwell to wave us off. Which was nice of him. 

After supping up we headed back to the hotel where we'd decided to have just the one more pint before getting our heads down in preparation for the day ahead. One pint turned into three and we finally headed upstairs and off to bed at around 10pm. The weather at that point was atrocious. 

I bumped into PDC Darts player Dean Winstanley as I put the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the outside of our door. He told me he was getting an early night. Lying bastárd. As he opened his room door and said goodnight to me, there on the bed lay a bird fully nude, waiting for the superstar sportsman. 

I told Roy, and we laid in bed (separate beds, ta) shouting all manner of dart related puns. 'Look what you could have won', 'Step up to the oche' and of course, '180'. Very adult and mature of us. As usual. 

Four hours later and I'm awakened by Roy grumbling about not being able to turn his alarm off. Got him on brew duties, supped that, and within half hour we were out and off down Oakwell to meet up with the other idiots. 

The weather was kind. Just very light rain and not that cold either. Tidy. 

As promised, Gaz was there, crutches n all (for effect) and after a few photos and a growler we were off and on our way to deepest Derbyshire. 


Me and Roy were up front for the first part of the journey with the younger lads. Jonny, Adam and Daniel I seem to recall. By the time we'd made it to the Red Lion at the bottom of Worsbrough Bridge my feet were on fire as they began to blister. I was also gagging for a drink of some sort after the growler had left my gob drier than Gandhi's flip flop. That was honestly the hardest part of the whole walk for me. Once we got to Tankersley and McDonald's I nicked Roy's blister plasters and they were a proper God send. The coffee was decent too. And we'd got there in quick time. Nice one. 

After freshening up etc, we gathered outside and waited for Dyson to give us instructions. I think he referred to it himself at one point on the walk, but he was like a school teacher, taking a load of kids on an outing. Albeit the school for special kids. Obviously. 


It was at that point that he must have had a text. He told us that two lads had already pulled out down Worsbrough. Nobody had noticed. And so Teacher Dyson gave us a dressing down and told us to 'never leave a man behind'. Or was it, 'never do a man from behind'? I forget. 


We then set off on probably our longest stretch, to Hillsborough. Very little traffic, lots of dark, country lanes. It was at this point that I chatted with Dyson for a while. That while probably felt like a lifetime for him, and I do believe he slowed down intentionally just to give his ears some respite. So I moved on to Ben and educated him about boxing instead. Folk love listening to me.... 



A quick mention for Spencer, who was doing the walk in loafers as apparently this earned him an extra £50 from his sponsor. Either that, or he was on acid. I think his feet felt like they were stood in acid. He was looking a likely candidate for being third man down. Here's a photo of said loafers... 

We were joined a few miles down the line by Fiona, who had a bag full of food and drink. The food looked like sausage rolls but once in my gob I realised it was chocolate inside, which was an experience. I was then offered a bit of whiskey by Hicksy, and heard him mention pulling out too. 

We motored on, as sunrise approached. Next pit stop was a fence, where we waited for Barnsley Sime to arrive on his scooter with drinks and Jaffa Cakes. The legend. It was also there where I borrowed more plasters for my feet. 

As we approached Hillsborough and its rust bucket of a football stadium, Hicksy disappeared off for a dump. How very fitting. I quite enjoyed the discussion over which supermarket he should use. We waited for him and took a few photos etc. Once back, we all shuffled on, next stop Bramall Lane, or so we thought. 


After talking to Marc and Roy for a bit as made our way past the myriad car showrooms, I noticed that Hicksy and Spencer were no longer behind us. They'd had enough and would now be making their way to Chesterfield via public transport. Four men down. Just halfway there. 

The climb up through the centre of Sheffield was a bit of a tow, my back was on fire once we'd made it. Our next photo opportunity at Bramall Lane never happened though, as Ray was adamant that it would add an extra couple of miles to the walk and we were behind on time already. This turned out to be bollócks, but being the elder statesman, nobody wanted to argue with him and so again we pushed on a couple of miles before stopping for a piss at a Costa Coffee. 



I've no idea where we were by this stage. Woodseats? Grenoside? Dunno. These were place names that I kept hearing but all my mind was focused on at this point was alcohol. We were about four or five miles away from the pub we were supposed to be stopping at where sandwiches were going to be laid on for us. But we were well ahead of time and it wasn't opening until 12pm, and so a few of us suggested stopping at a Weatherspoons. Again, Ray (and others) scoffed at this and so I walked past the bar gutted. Dyson practically told me to man up and explained there'd be pubs in Dronfield even if the one we were meant to go to was shut. This cheered me a bit, and I motored on. Up a bastárd hill. 

It wasn't any steeper than Harborough Hill, but it had more length. As we climbed it, me, Roy and Marc noticed that Dyson and a few others including Parker had gone out of sight. They were behind us, probably 30 minutes behind at a guess. But Ray and co were on a mission and way ahead. We eventually caught them up and explained about the lads way behind. My idea was to get into a pub and wait for em. We'd gone past the point where we took others' ideas on board and so headed for this pub on the corner. It was closed. Obviously. 



Fast forward a couple of miles and we finally made it into Derbyshire and a Toby Carvery came into view. Yes. We were definitely going in it. Bring on the ale! 

Or not. It was 10:35am and they didn't start serving alcohol until the hour. Typical. Give it 20 minutes and Dyson and the others arrived, and by 11am we all ordered a pint of whatever and had a nice 30 minutes or so relaxing. A few lads looked spent, Ben in particular who I expected to sack it off next. 




This was it now, another few miles non stop, before eventually getting to the pub expecting us, The Three Tuns. We got there around midday and they had put us a reight spread on. Sarnies, chips, growlers etc. I ordered another pint, but by that stage I was towing to do anything but keep my eyes open. It was such a relaxing place I could easily have nodded off. 

Thankfully, it was pretty much all downhill (or flat) from there on in. 



We all waited for the stragglers (Dyson and co), and headed into the home straight together, as one, united. It was an immense feeling, got to be honest, knowing you'd just walked 26 miles for charity. Bit of an achievement. 



Here's a few more photos... 

We staggered on up the main road, and as we neared the stadium we were met by a group of reds supporters waiting for us, who gave us a round of applause. Felt good did that. We shook each others hands, 'well done' all round. The pride felt was something I know I'll treasure. 


Dyson did his media duties with some wally from Peak FM. And then we had our photo taken a few times with the WSB flag, which holds a message dear to us. 

Twas a fantastic trip shared with great people and all for a tremendous cause. 



There wasn't an argument, a cross word between us. Just good fun, humour and encouragement. From a group of lads (and a couple of lasses) who just happen to support the same little football club. Proud. 

We then made our way into the ground, but only after having our bags checked and certain items confiscated. No need for that, but none of us had the strength to argue with the jobsworth stewards. Once inside, we got another pint and sung a few songs, before settling down to watch the Tarn lose at football. Standard. 

The game itself wasn't one I'll remember particularly. We could have come away with something considering the chances we created and spurned, but Chesterfield probably deserved their victory and fair play to em for that. 



After the game, myself, Marc and Roy headed towards the train station (took us a while to find it, mind) and got different trains home. I was fortunate enough to get a seat, and rested my eyes until Leeds. I was glad to be home, once in Bradford, but glad that I'd completed the walk and done my bit for the charity. 

And now I'm going to name as many of the heroes as I can remember. Apologies to those I forget, but I've slept since and have the memory of a fish. 



Adam Glover, Dale Cleeve, Ray Brammer, George Gilmore, Rob Gant, Paul Hicks, Fiona Hall, Daniel Firth, Chris Dixon, Jonny Smales, Darren Skirrow, Damian Green, Waza Bird, Marc Cooling, Roy Kemp, Ian Parker, Liam Dyson, Tony Thompson, Ben Lockwood, Stephen Lowe, Peter Samba, Spencer Davies, Ian Denton.



Like I say, apologies to those I either don't know or can't remember. 



Well done to us. See you all on the next one. 



For anybody still up for donating, here's the link: DONATE HERE 

'Love Barnsley, Hate Football'






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