Due to aching limbs and a tired mind this will be one of my shortest entries in the blog, but I have cobbled together a short video which I'll link to below where you can see lots of photos from yesterday's event as well a few silly clips from the night before. I'll apologise now for the odd word of a blue nature but I'm not apologising for myself and Roy being a pair of plums. It's what we do. But aye, yesterday was an amazing experience. To push yourself so hard physically is a challenge even for someone as fit/young as I am, but in our team we had a wide range of age groups each with the aim of walking 24 miles in order to raise much needed funding for two fantastic charities. Some found it harder than others and I doff my cap to one lad in particular whose blisters were so bad that by around 8 miles in he was forced to 'silly walk' the next 16. But did he jump in the support vehicle? No. He soldiered on, smiling. It's that kind of attitude and spirit that I love about our supporters. Hats off too to the walkers from Lincoln and Bradford who joined us for the final 5 miles. And massive respect to the Bradford kit-man who'd walked for over 24 hours all the way from Lincoln, some 60 or so miles. I don't think I'd fancy that. I should also give a mention to Barnsley FC's CEO, Ben Mansford who along with the clubs marketing man, Linton Brown, completed all 24 miles (27 miles if you include the bit where folk went the wrong way). He's gone well up in my book, Ben. A great attitude, great spirit. I think I've accepted him as a Barnsley man now. He was taken to hospital once he'd reached Valley Parade suffering from exhaustion and after an overnight stay I'm pleased to report he's back home now and looking forward to next season's walk.... I can't begin to explain the humbling feeling I experienced once we started to hit Bradford, with so many people giving us their support. People clapping us as we walked by, buses, cars beeping their horns. Some even came out from their front doors to thank us for what we were doing, I welled up at one point when an old chap in his City shirt stood at his gate clapping us, in tears. Folk were passing money through car windows and by the time we reached the city centre I found it all a bit too much for me. Once we arrived at the stadium we were greeted by City staff who gave us a terrific reception and we paid our respects at the memorial at 1.30pm which again had me close to tears. Living over here in the city I'm all too aware of the impact the tragic events 30 years ago had on the community and whilst it was a sad occasion I felt proud to be playing a small part in remembering the 56. After some food I departed to find a beer whilst most of the walkers stayed behind to do a lap of the pitch. I wasn't keen on doing that bit as I feel I'd have been far too emotional to cope, but the others were given a fantastic reception by the fans who were inside at that point by all accounts. I again became a wreck during the singing (in unison, both sets of fans) of You'll Never Walk Alone. Belted out the last few words in order to fight back the stomach churning going on. I associate that song with sad times (the fire at Valley Parade and the Hillsborough disaster) and happy (our promotion vs Bradford 18 years ago today), so aye, my feelings were all over the shop! On the 56th minute of the match our fans began a respectful 'stand up for the 56' chant which was then joined in on by the home support and all four sides of the stadium were rocking for about a minute. I felt enormous pride at that point. Football IS only a game. It's the people that matter, and just like on May 4 2013 it was very special to be at a reds match where a rival Yorkshire club's fans joined us in a very united manner. Proud of that. I will leave you now with the video link, and thank anyone who donated to the cause. Huge respect to my fellow 55 walkers from Barnsley too, there wasn't a bad egg among us (unless we're counting me) and over the last 12 months whilst the players may have struggled to put the required pride back into the town, I'm certain that the superb element of our fanbase definitely has done, in spades. Kudos to you all, and see you again soon. Maybe. Here's the video, and like I say, no apologies for enjoying ourselves....
Yes, it's not literally the end of the season just yet, but that hasn't stopped football clubs across the country asking supporters to vote for their player of the season or selecting the best goal scored etc, so it's not going to stop me either, from giving my report on how I feel each player has fared for us in the 2014-15 campaign. It's been a very typical BFC season hasn't it? We've lost more games than we've won, we've sacked a manager, have a negative goal difference and will be seeing myriad personnel changes this summer because of all that. Exciting eh? Regular visitors to this blog will perhaps recall the half term reports I did, erm, halfway through the season. Here's a link to that particular entry which might or might not be of interest to you: HALF-TERM REPORT So here goes. And remember, I'm not the voice of all Barnsley supporters, I'm not a better fan/supporter, I'm just a Barnsley bloke who enjoys discussing the club he loves be it online, in print or through video. Cheers. ROSS TURNBULL
Played - 27 Won - 10 Drew - 4 Lost 13 Goals Conceded - 40 Early fitness issues delayed Turnbull's return as first choice reds keeper, and after an up and down season those same issues resurfaced and he hasn't appeared for Barnsley since Lee Johnson became head coach, having played last in the 5-1 away mauling at Crawley Town before a long standing back injury required surgery. As I say, it was an up and down season for Ross. In some games he won us points by himself with some superb goalkeeping. In others, he was left easily beaten. At 30 years old and with another year left to run on his contract, he'll need to have cured his injury woes and then face up to the task of dislodging Adam Davies who has made the number one jersey his own in Turnbull's absence. 6/10. ADAM DAVIES
Played - 23 Won - 10 Drew - 8 Lost - 5 Goals Conceded - 22 Thrust into competitive action for the first time in his fledgling career, Adam made a decent fist of things at the start of the season before a bit of a mare against Milton Keynes at Oakwell. A clean sheet in his next appearance mattered not as he was quickly replaced by the fit again Ross Turnbull. Brought back in owing to Turnbull's injury, Davies has since been in inspired form with six clean sheets in his last twelve appearances which has included just the one defeat away at Colchester. He's not only replaced the number one short term, I'd suggest he IS now the number one. 8/10. MARTIN CRANIE
Played - 43 Won - 18 Drew - 10 Lost - 15 Goals - 1 Club captain and the last player remaining from the 'Hillcroft' era, Cranie has been picked in various positions again this season and played okay enough in all of them. He hasn't quite been the force at this level that I'd hoped he would be, but he's not been poor in my opinion either. Just very, very 'meh'. Out of contract this summer, and I honestly couldn't care less whether he stays or go. Fair to say I'm very 'meh' too. I sometimes think he's worth keeping around at this level, but then again I'm not sure we've ever got value for money out of him. So why would next season be any different? 6/10. LEWIN NYATANGA
Played - 49 Won - 17 Drew - 13 Lost - 19 Goals - 5 If Martin Cranie hasn't lived up to expectations in the third tier, I think it's fair to say Lewin Nyatanga has. The 26 year old defender of Zimbabwean heritage has also operated in multiple positions with varying degrees of success, he's contributed at the other end with goals and assists, and been for me our most consistent player of the season. He, like Cranie is out of contract in June too, and it'd be a huge surprise to me if LJ doesn't do his upmost to retain the 30 cap Welsh international. 8/10. PETER RAMAGE
Played - 23 Won - 10 Drew - 5 Lost - 8 Goals - 3
Brought back for a second loan spell, 'Rambo' has had an in and out campaign again, with injuries occurring all too often. He's had some solid games to look back on, and quite a few of average quality if I'm being kind. When you look at our centre half options at this level you can't help but scratch your head when looking at our goals against column. But as it's been pointed out often enough, we've had a bizarre tendency to recruit nice lads in this position for years when we've been crying out for owt but. He wants to stay here full time and if he is willing to accept a salary that fits within LJ's budget etc then I appreciate there'd be positive reasons for keeping him. But my head is saying no thanks. I look at the way we dispensed of a much better defender last summer, and like Ramage, a nice bloke in Bobby Hassell, and so I don't believe we should be giving Peter what the club felt the legendary Hassell didn't deserve. 6/10. JEAN-YVÉS M'VOTO
Played - 16 Won - 5 Drew - 2 Lost - 9 Goals - 0 'Big Jean' was the one player I felt would suit League One the best. It's where he'd performed for most of his time in England. To be fair to him he's not had the benefit of regular games this season and in some of them he's looked no worse than the regulars picked before him. But the lad has the ability to cost you a goal or a game with just one lapse in concentration or one silly judgment. Now were he an academy lad making his breakthrough you could accept these mistakes. But we're talking about a well paid foreign bloke in his mid twenties. I just don't see any point in retaining him, again, another centre half out of contract. 5/10. JAMES BREE
Played - 13 Won - 6 Drew - 2 Lost - 5 Goals - 0 After making his debut in the final game of our Championship relegation campaign, 16 year old academy prospect James Bree soon became Danny Wilson's first choice right back after the disappointing form of Reece Brown. Naturally a midfielder, Bree played with the sort of cool nature associated with players much older and played his part in some cracking victories during the Autumnal months. An injury picked up in a youth game in late November put the brakes on a very promising first season as a pro. 8/10. MASON HOLGATE
Played - 20 Won - 8 Drew - 5 Lost - 7 Goals - 0 The injury to one academy defender opened the first team door for another as young Mason has become a regular fixture in the reds defence since December. He's looked equally as impressive as Bree for the most part, leading many of us to get excited and to mention the surname Stones when discussing him, and that's to his credit for making such an impression so quickly. However, his rash challenge at Doncaster and his recent poor form suggests we may have been getting carried away a little and instead of proclaiming him the new John Stones we should appreciate a fantastic introductory half season for Mason Holgate, which will only aid his development going forward, hopefully at Oakwell. 8/10. GEORGE SMITH
Played - 18 Won - 6 Drew - 4 Lost - 8 Goals - 0 A rollercoaster season for Smith, who was expected to be our first choice left back last summer before a broken foot ruled him out in August. He was then sent to Bradford Park Avenue once fit, on loan but wasn't even getting games there before Wilson recalled him in late December and he's been a regular ever since. The appointment of Johnson and his decision to recruit Declan John on loan saw Smith unfairly dropped in my opinion but he's recently fought his way back in and put in some more solid displays at the back. 7/10. JAMES BAILEY
Played - 29 Won - 14 Drew - 6 Lost - 9 Goals - 0 He's either underrated or overrated, splits fan opinion down the middle, James Bailey has much like Cranie had a very 'meh' season for me. I wasn't a fan initially, but his style grew on me and in the last couple of months I've been convinced that we're a better unit with him a key part of it. He has the ability to control the tempo of games, a great range of passing and I feel he's well liked by teammates. However, it's obvious that Johnson prefers the tenacious over the technical and so Bailey has often been dropped. Another year left, but I'm not convinced he's going to be part of LJ's grand designs going forward. Which would for me be a shame. 6/10. LUKE BERRY
Played - 35 Won - 12 Drew - 11 Lost - 12 Goals - 2 The lad making the biggest jump for me in terms of standard, Luke Berry has had a fine first season as a professional. An attacking midfielder with defensive qualities, he was played slightly out of position for me for most of the season owing to Wilson's lack of options in other areas, but Berry always put in a committed performance and during that good Autumn run he was our driving force from midfield. He looked jaded by Winter and I think it was clever to give him a rest then, because he came back much sharper for it. However, his next rest went on for too long in my opinion and the arrival of Ben Pearson and Josh Scowen pushed him out of the first team picture. Recently given a chance by Johnson and taken it well which should stand him in good stead for pre season. I really enjoy watching him play and feel there's lots of development in him. Fingers crossed. 7/10. CONOR HOURIHANE
Played - 51 Won - 19 Drew - 13 Lost - 19 Goals - 13 One of, if not the best starts to a BFC career ever. Everything Conor touched turned to gold in the first half of the season with glorious goals galore, assists by the bucket-load and had supporters comparing him to the likes of Redfearn and Hignett. Unfortunately, his form deteriorated after Christmas and his goals dried up full stop. His last goal from open play? December 20th against Orient, because I'm not including the one that went in off his arsé at Oldham. The assists haven't dried up though, they're as regular as our goals... think about it. He isn't Neil Redfearn, he's definitely no Craig Hignett either, in fact, he's not even Brian Howard. He's a fairly young lad signed from a struggling fourth division side who has gone on to double his career goals tally, practically carrying us at times with his production. He's another two years left on his contract, he's never said or done anything anti-BFC and despite my own vote going to Sam Winnall, it'll be a bloódy travesty (he sez having not voted Hourihane) if he isn't named Player of the Season. I doff my cap to you, Conor Hourihane.. Barnsley loves you more than you will know. 9/10. DALE JENNINGS
Played - 24 Won - 8 Drew - 5 Lost - 10 Goals - 3 The one player at Oakwell with the ability and talent to excite the reds faithful and become both a hero and future big fee departure. Unfortunately, he's become more known for his shape, his attitude, his fitness and the fact his promising career looks potentially over at just 22 years of age. Again showed in brief glimpses the kind of quality that should be operating at a much higher level. But all too often shown why he's merely a third division squad player whose level of fitness would look more acceptable on a Sunday League field. One last chance this summer/next season? Only LJ knows that answer. 4/10. JOSH SCOWEN
Played - 19 Won - 8 Drew - 5 Lost - 6 Goals - 2 The final signing by Danny Wilson, he came to the club a total unknown to most of us but Josh Scowen is pretty much regarded as first name on the team sheet by many such has been the impact he's made since making the step up from League Two. A tenacious and combative midfielder with no little ability too, he looked the part in central midfield during that six game winning run. For reasons known only to the new manager Josh has recently been positioned out wide but still given a good account of himself and it's been such a start to his reds career that a fair of amount of our supporters will be naming him their Player of the Year. 8/10. BEN PEARSON
Played - 20 Won - 9 Drew - 5 Lost - 6 Goals - 1 Signed in January on loan from Man Utd, Pearson like Scowen has terrific energy and will to win and he's had a decent impact in his time at Oakwell. Gets the ball, and moves it on quickly. Initially looked to have lots in his locker but as time has progressed he's looked limited. This could be down to instruction though, you never know. His appearance on Saturday leaves me thinking that LJ will be trying to get him back next season, which I wouldn't be against so long as it's not at the expense of Luke Berry in particular who I feel offers more. 6/10. KANE HEMMINGS
Played - 28 Won - 11 Drew - 6 Lost - 11 Goals - 5 A gamble that was worth taking, Kane Hemmings scored plenty of goals in Scotland last season and had some sort of pedigree having once been at Rangers, but it's not really happened for him here at Barnsley and I'd be very surprised if his contract is extended beyond the end of the season. I'm still of the belief that he'd score more goals in a two up front with wingers, but I'm not sure that's how we'll be playing under LJ next term so may as well move on. 5/10. SAM WINNALL
Played - 35 Won - 13 Drew - 11 Lost - 11 Goals - 12 It took him a while to get going, just two goals from his first thirteen games, but once he did get going he was only stopped by a hamstring injury at the end of November which ruled him out for over three months having just notched seven goals in eight games. Not only a goal threat, he assists others and puts in the graft we Barnsley supporters expect. His emotional celebrations to each and every goal scored especially the reaction at full time to us in the away end at Bumhole Lane after his winning goal give you the impression this lad actually cares about his football and he's become a bit of a cult hero really. He edges Berry into second place in terms of the laikers I've enjoyed watching the most this season, and unfortunately for common sense I've selected him as my Player of the Season ahead of the very unlucky Nyatanga and Hourihane, purely because I've based it on the one player I'd be most gutted to see depart. 9/10. MILAN LALKOVIC
Played - 16 Won - 7 Drew - 3 Lost - 6 Goals - 0 Despite an exciting first couple of appearances, Milan has proven to be very disappointing so far at BFC. No goals, and rarely looks close to changing that, far too often he attempts to do too much when the simple option is on. Not just that, but as a winger who isn't scoring or creating he's also giving his full back no protection whatsoever. Just 22 years old though with another 12 months on his deal to run, perhaps we'll see better from him next season? 5/10. GEORGE WARING
Played - 19 Won - 9 Drew - 4 Lost - 6 Goals - 6 Another loanee brought into the club by Danny Wilson just prior to his dismissal, Waring has been one of the best we've made in recent times with goals, assists and good hold-up play up top. Nowhere near the finished article but lots of raw ability to work with and I'd like to see him here full time if it's possible next season. 7/10. As you've possibly noticed, I've not listed the likes of Lita or Treacy (see my half term report) nor younger lads like Digby, Cowgill or Abbott. Those youngsters haven't had enough matches for me to give a fair assessment of them, and the same goes for our most recent loanees such as John, Stewart and Ibehre. I have only rated the lads who've played over 10 games this season and who are still at the club. However I feel this season was at its most enjoyable when Fulham loanee Ryan Williams was with the club and likewise latterly when we had the exceptional services of Blackburn winger John O'Sullivan. I think I this time do speak for most reds supporters when I name those two lads as exactly the sort of players we're in dire need of this summer and certainly in O'Sullivan's case, the exact character too. A winner. It's been the sort of season I expected if I'm honest. We've added some more than capable individuals, some promising young lads but we've rarely quite looked a proper team. On the rare occasions it's looked like one, injuries or whatnot have cropped up. It's not surprising to me that we've had such an inconsistent year. This is what happens when you've just a month or less to try and cobble a squad together, when your captain is a bloke you've tried moving on and when such a rush job means you're soon having to dip into the unknown that is the loan market. And when you then change manager mid season, you're throwing even more uncertainty into the equation. Absolutely stunning turnaround from first the caretakership, and continued by LJ. But that proved just a quick injection and we've ended the season as we started it, with another rebuild around the corner. But LJ has the time this summer that last year Danny didn't. He also has those talented and promising individuals tied down. It's not like the out of contract lads are key players. So I'm not surprised that Johnson speaks with confidence and optimism when he discusses his plans for pre season. The finances are there, the pull of being a big club at this level is a key factor too when recruiting and so it's imperative that he has at least the same success in the market that Wilson enjoyed. He certainly can afford more misses than hits, so to speak. But as already detailed he needs to address our wide areas (both defensively and attacking) and successfully. Fingers crossed. Again.
Before the season actually ends for real, we've a couple of games remaining which have at least a bit of spice to them. Away at Bradford this weekend means we'll be well backed for a Yorkshire Derby. More on that later. And then we sign off for the summer with a home clash against Keith Hill's Rochdale. It'll be his first return to the Oakwell dugouts since his well documented tenure came to an end here back in the Winter of 2012 and if the reverse fixture at Spotland was anything to go by then expect a lot of ill-feeling pointed in his direction, and possibly toward the likes of Tom Kennedy and Stephen Dawson who aren't many reds fans' favourite former players. But aye, this weekend is a big one for a small group of us reds supporters as we again embark on a charity walk to a game of football. The match on Saturday means we're the visitors to Valley Parade on the day that the Bantams are remembering the 56 supporters who perished at the stadium 30 years ago. The walk has been co-organized by the WSB fanzine and the Supporters Trust, and BFC supremo Ben Mansford will be joining us on the 24 mile journey from South to West Yorkshire, setting off at the silly time of 4am from Oakwell. Despite my legs, knees, feet and back disagreeing with me, I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the last walk we did to Chesterfield which raised an awful lot of money for a homeless charity in town. This time around we're fundraising for two charities, one a local one (Jaxon's Gift) and the other being the Bradford Burns and Plastic Surgery Unit. Please, if you can, click on the link below where you can donate anything from as low as just one pound. Every bit helps, every pound is appreciated. BARNSLEY TO BRADFORD WALK - CHARITY PAGES
That's your lot for this update. I hope you found this suitable and not at all arrogant or posted with an "I'm better than thee" attitude. And not once did I mention Huddersfield Town..... oh bollócks. I'll hopefully be back later next week with a review of the Bradford walk/game. Cheers. 'Love Barnsley, Hate Football' Whitey
