IT'S BEEN EMOTIONAL

After what seemed a decade of wondering and waiting, yesterday, Barnsley supporters finally had their opportunity to say thank you and farewell to a club legend who gave unstinting service to BFC and the town he made his home over a decade where he played a big part in some of our finer hours in recent history. Oh, Bobby Hassell... 


This wasn't ever going to be the ideal testimonial but I've no time for pointing the finger of blame at anyone for how the event was organised. The man himself seemed happy enough with it in recent interviews so if it satisfied him then that'd do for me. But aye, ideally this would have been a testimonial in its truest form. Unfortunately, it seemingly had to go hand in hand with a BFC pre season fixture so we had the bizarre spectacle of seeing Bobby playing alongside current reds, and Lewin Nyatanga apart, lads he'd never played with before. Thankfully though, some late allowances were made and for the last twenty minutes Bobby was to be joined on the field by ten of his former teammates including eight of the 2005-2006 promotion squad. 

For a while, sat stationary on a train somewhere between Leeds and Normanton, twenty odd minutes without any movement or update from Northern Rail as to what the chuff was going on, I feared I'd not even make it to Oakwell to say my goodbyes to Bobby and the others. But the choo choo did eventually crawl its way to Barnsley, on one engine apparently, just the thirty minutes late and I made my way into town to wait for Roy. Had a swift jar in Chennels. They've refurbished the gents since I last went in there ten weeks back. Not yet cured the sticky floor issue though that's plagued those bogs since I began drinking back in the mid 1990's. Bit of filler there, you know how much I like to pad out these blog posts. 


I soon met up with Roy and we had a quick pint and a catch-up in Bramah's, discussing each others holidays and how things were at work etc. As you do. It was nice to see a few Mansfield fans in there too, the weather was decent enough if a bit on the blowy side for my liking. Kept making a mess of my hair.
What? 


We arrived at Oakwell at about 1.45pm, bought a souvenir programme each and headed into Redfearn's. For once, June was pleasant and didn't try to stop us getting in. Perhaps she's had customer service training over the summer? Once inside it was obvious that this match hadn't enticed as many folk down as I'd have liked. There were more Mansfield fans in there then reds at one point. We met up with Darryl, one of the lads who did the Bradford charity walk with us, who looked at least a stone heavier than he did the last time I saw him. Obviously enjoyed a few barbies last month. I remain ten stone wet through no matter how much I devour, which if I was a woman would be a good thing probably, but I'm all man and yet look like a boy. Was asked for ID yesterday when buying fags. I'm 33 next month. 

Roy, Darryl, Moi

Three drinks later and after having a chat with Dodworth's answer to Indiana Jones we made our way to the East Stand. Our last time in that stand was the opening day of last season when we were embarrassed by Crawley Town. I don't like it in there much, the view's too good which gives you the impression you're Jose Mourinho and know how to fix the myriad problems the manager can't see. Although you do get to appreciate the splendour of the West Stand, including the jazzed up dugouts. Nice to see they've done a bit of work on them for once rather than just chucking out the occupant. 


As usual, I forgot to take photos until the end of the game, or film stuff, so I've no record of what was a bloódy emotional moment as Bobby led out a Barnsley side for the final time. Because my partner happens to be friends with Bobby's partner, I've had the pleasure of her company, and that of her kids who are all a great credit to both Sarah and Bob. So I felt a little teary I have to admit when I saw him walking out with them, little Micah on his shoulders. 
There was a few presentations and photos taken at that point, it was good to see Mr Cryne there in particular and also another lad I call a friend in Matthew Murray who was on PA duty and did a fine job of it I reckon, not even a trace of that American accent he's picked up. Speaking of Matt, I'm going to share his tribute for the programme he did on here at the end, I think it warrants a greater audience. I'd also like to say well done to Matty Goodwin who did a terrific job (along with Sarah) in making that programme a specially good read and fitting souvenir for reds fans.

The game itself bored me to tears. Friendlies usually do in fairness. I felt Bobby was our best player in the time he was on the pitch, but then I would do. He scored the penalty earned by Scowen who continues to win decisions from referees in a very dubious fashion. It's not very Barnsley, Josh. But it was nice to see Bobby plant it beyond the keeper. Does that count as his 10th goal for us? 

I'll pass quick comments on regards our current laikers now. 


Davies had nowt to do really. Bree and Smith were more like wingers than full backs, with Mawson and Nyatanga in turn then looking more like wide centre halves as a result. Which left huge gaps when we gave up possession, which was often. Extra marks to Bree for one bucaneering run forward, and extra marks also to Smithy for not going with that despicable top-knot again. If footballers spent more time honing their skills and less time trying to look like bellends I'd appreciate that. It's not a fashion show. You play for Barnsley in the third division, pal. 

The new lad Mawson looks a unit. I probably wouldn't call him a bellend if he had a top-knot. He's ginger too, extra marks. I thought Scowen was busy but ineffective for once, but then, he's not a winger so I can't say I'm looking forward to seeing him forced out of position again to accommodate central midfielders who run about a bit but can't pass beyond ten yards and rarely do so in a positive manner. The returning Ben Pearson is a good addition, we saw that in his first month here last term. Unfortunately, in much of his 20 or so appearances he offered little other than sideways or backwards passing and the ability to run about a bit. He's only young though. Hopefully he'll improve and Man Utd can then flog him to another club and we'll start again, again. 

His Old Trafford teammate made his debut, Joe Rothwell, and other than a clever roulette trick (I play FIFA on the Playstation) and that lovely finish for the goal I didn't notice him. Sign of a good laiker? 
The lad who didn't want to be here but then did want to be here with the bad attitude and the good attitude started up front, and Conor Wilkinson didn't impress me at all. That long distance strike was tidy though, but other than that he reminded me of Rory Fallon. And the lad alongside him with no name was for me the pick of the bunch albeit after a slow start. I didn't see his goal as I'd left for the toilet but even without seeing that I saw enough to suggest he'd be worth another look, but if we sign David Ball then I reckon a cheeky bid for Rochdale's Andy Cannon wouldn't go amiss.. 

Went for a beer at half time, £3.70 for a warm bottle of Carling. Which will be the last beer I buy this season from inside the ground. Bumped into a few familiar faces, Gaz of West Stand Bogs fame - gave him a kiss after I'd first not noticed him at the side of big Juddy G. Had a good catch-up with club SLO and all round good egg, Carlo whilst having a smoke. And a chat with Dave who doesn't post on the BBS forum because it's full of bellends, like me. When taking up our seats for the second half I spotted Steve, another good lad who'd told me he wasn't going to the match. It's the hope that gets you, pal. And the best photographer called Ian in Barnsley also said heyup to me, but I never heard him or saw him. Looking forward to him uploading his latest BFC themed imagery at some point today. 


I won't say much else on the game except to mention Matty Templeton who offered something unique once on - he ran with the ball. It was weird. Like proper football and that, I'm not used to seeing it. But then at long last, the moment we'd all been waiting for, the current reds team were all replaced by a host of former reds in their thirties. Again, weird. We're not used to seeing lads with no resale value. 

I appreciate it was only 20 minutes. I accept it was a friendly. But I saw football played in that period that I've not seen in years. Players making runs into space, forward passes (honest), two wingers and a lovely team move capped off by a trademark Nardiello goal. It was a joy to watch, and it should have been the full game. He might have put a few pounds on, but Brian Howard still has 'it'. We saw Antony Kay spreading play from deep; Chris Shuker - I model my forehead on his - still the annoying little shít for the opposition; full backs in Austin and Hecky who can pick out runners in the channel; Foz and Reidy making up for having no mobility by showing that grit that epitomised their time here as captains, and DISCO, Martin Devaney rolling back the years and showing in just 20 minutes what the current BFC squad lacks - width, wingers, skill. 

As I say, joy to behold. And let's not forget that save from big Preecey. I adored that bloke when he was here, I still do now that he isn't. You can have all the hungry youths that you want in a squad, but there's nothing like experience and it's paramount to have leaders and characters. That final 20 minutes we had a side full. And it really hammered it home just how good those lads were for us, the promotion heroes especially, because I think time has been unfair on them if I'm honest, folk tend to think we were lucky that season to go up. Nonsense. We had a fortunate spell in extra time against Swansea City, but there was nothing lucky about that promotion and that squad is still a terrific blueprint for success in my opinion. A squad brimming with young, homegrown talent, sprinkled with characters, leaders and experience. 
Could you imagine that set of lads not talking to each other during a match? Not spending free time with each other, instead going home to play computer games, get a new tattoo, a new silly haircut or updating their instagram? I miss the days where you'd hear about our lads being seen shítfaced in town. It's the modern game though, Andy, they tell me. Aye, and the modern game is pants. 




Here's a few photos..... 

Stephen Foster

Howard and Devaney

Neil Austin

Foz, saying goodbye...

David Preece

Antony Kay

Paul Reid

DISCO

Nards

Brian Howard

It was an absolute privilege to be able to see some of my favourite ever tarn laikers one more time, to say goodbye to them too, although I do hope we see them again in some capacity, I always enjoy these sort of occasions and I'm led to believe that West Stand Bogs are looking at staging an anniversary dinner with the promotion heroes of 2006 so I'm up for that if it comes off. And who knows, perhaps we'll be celebrating another third tier promotion next May too? Looking at the team/club right now I can't see it happening, not unless we recruit players capable of exciting the supporters and hurting the opposition. It's only pre season, I'm mindful of that but I saw very little from our current players yesterday to suggest we'll do owt special this coming season. 
But I'll be there whenever possible, as ever, cheering them on. It's what I do. It's what I'll always do. As well as being honest whenever I discuss this little club of ours.. 

I'll next be at Oakwell on August 1st for another pre season friendly which means a lot to me personally (for those folk who know). That will be a stern test for our lads just a week before the real football begins in earnest at Chesterfield. And on the Monday after that I will be one of the guests on the first show of the season for the Radio Barnsley 'Football Report'. As of today, confirmed guests are CEO Ben Mansford and Tommy Wright in the studio from 7pm to 8pm, with Martin Devaney and Bobby Hassell in the studio for the second hour, 8pm to 9pm, with a phone call guest in Sam Winnall. Not a clue how they're going to fit all that in, especially the way Ben takes ten minutes to answer a question. No idea how we're all going to fit in the studio either, I might have to sit on someones knee. Looking forward to it though. It's a fantastic voluntary service offered up for us reds supporters and if anybody out there wants to guest appear on the show, I suggest you get in touch with the team on twitter via @RBFootball_. 

As promised, here's Matthew Murray's tribute to Sir Bobby Hassell that featured in the souvenir programme yesterday....... 





Let's rewind to August 2011. My wife Becky and I were trying to launch our own charity and had a dream to build an orphanage in Kenya and help save the lives of children who were in extreme poverty and sometimes went days without food. Some were HIV positive and others had suffered horrific physical and sexual abuse. They were in desperate need of hope. 

The plan was there - but the money wasn't. We needed over £100,000 to build the children's home which was broken down into several stages. One of the first costs was a £600 fee to pay for legal formation of the charity. Even that seemed a lot of money. 

But then came a minor miracle - Keith Hill's Barnsley beat Reading away from home after Bobby Hassell had been recalled to the squad. A few hours after the game, my phone rang: "Matt, it's Bobby, how you doing, pal? I get an appearance fee and a win bonus totalling £600 for today, and I'd like to give it all towards your work in Africa." 

I was blown away. Bobby had no idea of our financial needs but was clearly moved with compassion and decided to give his entire bonus towards helping these needy children. 

He duly popped round the next day and handed the cash to my wife. Fast forward to July 2015 and that orphanage is flourishing. The building is paid off and we have more than 100 children in our care, all of whom are housed, clothed, fed and educated to a high standard. 

Bobby has been a supporter of our work ever since. He and his wife Sarah sponsor the ongoing living costs of several children in our orphanage each month, he's organised bag packing events at supermarkets, rallied schools and Reds fans to donate clothes and has been a constant moral support to me as a personal friend through all of life's ups and downs. 

When my car had broken down on the way to Bristol City a couple of years ago, Bobby raced down the M1 to help out. He was also one of the first on the scene when my son Josiah was fighting for his life in Sheffield Children's Hospital after a serious operation, offering prayers and comfort. I've visited churches, prisons and community events with him as he has selflessly poured out his time and energy to help others. 

We'll probably never see another Bobby Hassell at Barnsley Football Club. You won't find anyone with a bad word to say about him in the town, and even after his departure from the club he has continued to represent Barnsley so positively. 

Another striking memory is that although, in my opinion, Bobby may not have been a favourite of some managers, he never once criticised them, attacked them or tried to stir up trouble against them. As I'd rant about the club's misfortunes and poor form, he would simply smile and tell me there were more important things in life to worry about than whether nor not he was in the starting XI. 

I'd like to thank you Bobby, not only for being a great player and helping us to a memorable promotion, a once-in-a-lifetime cup run and battling to keep us in the Championship for so many years, but for your honest love and devotion to our town and our club. You're rightly nicknamed Sir Bobby. 

Matthew Murray

King's Children's Home

"Being a footballer is about far more than just taking to the pitch and Bobby has proved that he is a man to be cherished. I am proud to call him a friend." 

Patrick Cryne 

From a personal perspective I would like to thank both Bobby and Sarah who have been great with me over the years especially in giving me that exclusive interview for this very blog when he was released by BFC over 12 months ago now. If there's anything you can say about Bob it's that he's always got time for people, even if he literally hasn't got time. He goes that extra yard. On a couple of occasions when I was struggling for tickets, he'd find out and I'd get a message from him "I've got you a ticket Andy". Even yesterday he messaged me so he could make himself available so I could get a photo and a few words from him for this blog post. But due to Northern Rail that never came off. However, I did get my photo. 

Thanks, Bob. And see you soon. Barnsley legend.