The day did finally arrive. Funnily enough, perhaps a year or two later than many of us anticipated, and the decision made not by men we maybe would have expected, but by the greatest manager this little club of ours has ever had. The 7th of May 2014. The day Barnsley Football Club called time on the reds career of Bobby Hassell.
So much has happened at Oakwell in the decade that Bobby has represented BFC. He's been pretty much pivotal to most of the highlights in that time. Promotion back to the second tier, an FA Cup semi-final, so many victories in local derbies, far too many relegation battles, albeit fought successfully, and so it's fitting that he can leave with his head held high at this sad time for our club whilst the anger and vitriol stemming from our eventual relegation is fired in the direction of everybody else. And it's my opinion that this relegation wouldn't have occurred had he been involved in more than just four matches this season. I cannot prove that. But neither can it be proven otherwise. It's merely an opinion. But I'm basing it on his performances for the club. They're the best indicator. In the last three seasons, he's made less than 50 appearances, so whilst it's not surprising, it's certainly interesting that his win percentage is better than any other player who has made 50 or more appearances in that time.
As I'm sure is now obvious, I'm very disappointed to be talking about Bobby Hassell in the past tense. I disagree with his release. I say that without sentimental influence. My opinion is that he's still good enough to play regularly for our club. You can summise all you like about his fitness, injury issues, but the fact remains he's been available for selection for the vast majority of the last three campaigns and has been overlooked. I won't be using this post to suggest the reasons for that. That's the act of the bitter people among us. I'll just run with the belief that every manager in situ since the Summer of 2011 felt Bobby wasn't good enough. That's an entitlement. They're the boss. It doesn't make them right, but it is their right, to pick and choose the players they want whilst in the hot-seat. And to be fair, it's a very hot seat isn't it? Especially when you don't pick or choose your best performers...
The 7th of August 2004. A very hot and sticky, sun drenched Milton Keynes was the setting for our first glimpse of a future Barnsley legend. I was there. And to be honest, from that day and throughout that first season at Oakwell I saw little to suggest I'd one day be describing Bobby as a legend.
He wasn't terrible. He was more Carl Regan than Scott Wiseman. But yes, it was a tough start for him in a squad at that time that was expected to do a lot better than it actually did.
It was the year after though where he came into his own. No more than in the playoffs. His header at Huddersfield, beating two bigger players to find Paul Reid who scored the crucial second goal says everything about the bloke. Nothing is impossible. That fighting spirit, never say die attitude was prevalent throughout his time at Oakwell. In that playoff final in Cardiff, he played on through injury to help the reds to a victory on penalties.
The thing is, it's not just recent managers who've not selected him. I remember Simon Davey and Mark Robins taking a while and trying out others ahead of him, before eventually realising that Hassell was the man. Unfortunately, the last two managers prior to Danny Wilson returning left it far too late before realising what they had in the dressing room.
In the famous FA Cup run of 2008, Bobby was outstanding at Liverpool at right back. He was even better in the quarter final against Chelsea at Oakwell, this time as a holding midfielder. Composure, quality in possession, and as brave as brave gets in making timely/crucial interceptions and blocks.
Fast forward five years and he again starred in cup ties against Hull and MK Dons. He was then bizarrely dropped for the big clash with Champions of England, Manchester City. The manager at the time preferring recent loan signing Ryan Tunnicliffe. We were smashed 5-0, and Tunnicliffe rejected a second month on loan..
I could go on all afternoon about the many highlights from Bobby's time here, but I'll mention the three that stick in my mind the most. Starting with 'that' clearance at Hillsborough. We never win there. But on that night we did, and for just the second time in my lifetime. We've not won there since that night either.
It was a special goal that earned us that rarest of victories, but it's the goal-line clearance made by Bobby that first springs to mind when remembering that evening. Reminiscent of a similar clearance from Nicky Eaden, over ten years previous, in the same six yard box.
What about the goal he scored against Watford last season? Finally gets on the pitch courtesy of an injury to genuine veteran Rory Delap, and leaps like a salmon once more to head home the winner and earn us a precious three points. That's the true mark of the man. Triumph in adversity. Always proving people wrong. Doing it with dignity.
The outstanding memory for me though, is the day he donned the goalkeeping gloves at Spotland. Some of the saves he made that afternoon were top drawer, not only stopping the shots fired in, but catching the ball. It reminded me of the keepers I grew up watching in an era where goalkeepers didn't feel the need to make a save look better than it was.
The fact it was against Rochdale made it more special. It's when you look back at the key moments from his reds career that you can't help but feeling someone somewhere was writing a script. I know I was only mentioning the three moments, but to emphasise my point, think about the Leeds game. The return of Danny, and Bobby.. You couldn't make it up. Could you?
Hence my sadness at how the season has panned out since that game at Elland Road, for us and for Bobby himself. I was in his company - briefly - on the day we were relegated. He should have been on the field. Instead, he had to watch on like the rest of us as his teammates surrendered one more time. But therein lies the truth. If he wasn't deemed good enough to pull on the red shirt in yet another relegation battle, then it's only fair that he isn't associated with that relegation. As I said at the top of the piece, he can leave the club he loves with his head held high. Proud of his service. Loyal until the last. The last player to represent the club in the third tier...
It is also only fair to mention the countless charities that Bobby is involved with in our town. It'd be easier to list the ones he's not involved in. Then there are the many donations he's made. He's been a fantastic role model at the club, and a superb ambassador for the town itself. I hope that continues to be the case. I was hoping there'd still be a role for him within the club, but again, you cannot dictate to a manager. He has to be in charge. And anyway, I believe Bobby intends to continue his playing career. Personally, I'd love to see him return to Mansfield. That would be the perfect final chapter in his story.. unless we reserve that particular chapter for the day he returns to Oakwell as manager of his and our beloved Barnsley FC.
Thank you, Bobby.
Good luck in the future, wherever that takes you.
And remember, reds fans, his testimonial game is still to be played. A chance to say goodbye (for now) to a legend, a player we'll probably never see the likes of again. Although, give it four years and Reuben Noble-Lazarus will have been a professional for ten years....
We'll have to wait and see on the testimonial. We've heard nothing about it from the club. Their short sentence in thanking Bobby on the official website says a lot about how they look after club legends.
I'm quite surprised that the bloke who seemingly wet himself whenever he was creating youtube videos this season (PERKINS SCORES WITH HIS TEETH!) hasn't put one together in tribute to Bobby. But as ever with BFC, if you want something doing, do it yourself.
I've put a video together of that nature. See the link below the photo.
Up The Tarn!
Click to view: BOBBY HASSELL - A DECADE
