Barnsley FC is a football club from the former industrial town in South Yorkshire of the same name, who were formed as Barnsley St Peter's FC in 1887 by a clergyman by the name of Tiverton Preedy. Within a year of formation, the club had moved into their home ground at Oakwell, joining the Sheffield & District League a couple of years later.
In 1895 the club joined the Midland League and took their present name two years afterwards. In 1897 the club dropped St Peter's from their title, prior to Barnsley being elected to the Football League in 1898 as members of Division Two.
Despite struggling in the league, the 1909-10 season saw the team embark on a sensational FA Cup run, getting all the way to the final under manager Arthur Fairclough. Newcastle United equalised in the final minute of the game at Crystal Palace before winning the replay 2-0 at Goodison Park.
The 1911-12 season saw a repeat of the Cup run to the final. Again, the game went to a replay, this time against West Bromwich Albion. After a goalless draw at Crystal Palace Harry Tufnell scored an extra time winner at Bramall Lane to take the trophy back to Oakwell.
Meanwhile the team continued along in Division Two. After World War One Division One was extended and it was expected that Barnsley would be awarded a place after a good finish before hostilities. However, owing to some underhand dealings their assumed place was awarded to Arsenal.
‘The Colliers’ were relegated in 1931-32 before being crowned Division Three North champions in 1933-34 with Brough Fletcher in charge of the team. 1937-38 saw Barnsley drop back down to the third tier, returning as champions to Division Two in 1938-39 after Angus Seed had taken over as manager.
Post-war action saw stars such as George Robledo and the great Tommy Taylor in the side before he was transferred to Manchester United. Barnsley were relegated in 1952-53, before regaining their position with another Division Three North title in 1954-55 with Tim Ward as team boss.
‘The Tykes’ went down once again in 1958-59 before Johnny Steele was appointed as manager in 1960. Worse was to follow on the pitch as the team went down to Division Four in 1965-66 before regaining their third tier status as runners-up in 1967-68.
John McSeveney was in charge of the Barnsley side that was relegated again in 1971-72, before Steele returned briefly before the arrival of Jim Iley. Allan Clarke took over as manager in 1978, as the Reds were promoted at the end of the 1978-79 campaign before Clarke’s former Leeds United and England teammate Norman Hunter was signed.
The team also contained a young Mick McCarthy as the side became known as a tough nut to crack in cup competitions. Hunter took over as manager in 1980, leading the team to promotion to Division two in 1980-81.
Another former Leeds man, Bobby Collins became manager in 1984-85 before Clarke returned to take up the role. Mel Machin became manager in 1989 as David Hirst scored the goals while the stadium was virtually rebuilt as the side narrowly missed out on a play-off place in 1990-91.
Danny Wilson arrived and put together a fine side as manager to try and achieve promotion which was achieved in the 1996-97 season as the club reached the top flight for the first time, as players such as Neil Thompson, Paul Wilkinson and John Hendrie starred.
The team skippered by Neil Redfearn, with Bulgarian Georgi Hristov amongst several new signings, lasted just one season in the Premier League with Wilson leaving at the end of the 1997-98 season.
Several players left as new boss Hendrie struggled despite the arrival of Craig Hignett. Dave Bassett came in to replace Hendrie for the 1999-00 season, using his experience to make some solid signings.
The Tykes reached the Play Off final after defeating Birmingham City to play at Wembley for the first time. Ipswich Town proved too strong, winning 4-2 but they lost a thriller 4-2. Bassett departed to be replaced by Nigel Spackman in December 2000, but he couldn't work the oracle and was replaced by Steve Parkin a year later.
The 2001-02 season ended with Barnsley relegated to the League's third tier. In October the club were placed into administration by the then owner John Dennis. Much wrangling took place over the ownership afterwards with the League showing their disapproval.
Former Leeds chairman Peter Risdale took over for a short while before departing. Glynn Hodges and then Guðjón Þórðarson both had spells as manager before Paul Hart took over for a short while until Andy Ritchie was appointed.
Ritchie took the side to the 2005-06 Play Off final at the Millennium Stadium after a win against Huddersfield Town where Swansea City were defeated on penalties. The game ended 2-2 with Paul Hayes and Daniel Nardiello scored before Barnsley secured promotion to the Championship on spot kicks.
However, the boss didn't last more than a few months into the new season before he was replaced by Simon Davey. Several new signings including Brian Howard arrived for the 2007-08 season, which saw another memorable FA Cup.
Barnsley went all the way to the Wembley semi-final after dumping out Liverpool and Chelsea along the way. Cardiff City ended any dreams of a final appearance. The team narrowly avoided relegation at the end of the season and Davey paid the penalty soon into the new campaign when he was replaced by Mark Robins.
After a difficult 2010-11 season Robins handed in his notice, with Rochdale boss Keith Hill replacing him. Barnsley proudly finished the 2011-12 season as only one of two Championship clubs to turn in a profit.
Hill was sacked before Christmas 2012 with the team looking likely to be relegated. David Flitcroft came in and steered the side to safety on the final day of the season. Returning boss Wilson could not save his team from relegation in 2013-14.
Lee Johnson had a season at the helm prior to the appointment of Paul Heckingbottom, initially in a caretaker capacity. He led Barnsley to victory in the 2015-16 Football League Trophy as Oxford United were defeated 3-2 with the aid of own goal and efforts from Ashley Fletcher and Adam Hammill.
The Tykes returned to Wembley a few weeks later after defeating Walsall in the play-offs before seeing off Millwall 3-1 as Fletcher, Hammill and Lloyd Isgrove scored for the side skippered by Conor Hourihane.
José Morais had a short spell as team boss in 2018 after Leeds United had recruited Heckingbottom before Daniel Stendel took over after Barnsley were relegated once again. The team recovered to win promotion as League One runners-up in 2018-19.
Gerhard Struber was the manager for the 2019-20 season as Barnsley secured safety in a miraculous end to the season aided by Wigan Athletics’ points deduction. Frenchman Valérien Ismaël arrived at Oakwell as manager from LASK in October 2020 to oversee a remarkable turnaround in form.
The side battled their way to the playoffs where they lost in the semifinals to Swansea City. Ismaël headed to West Bromwich Albion to be replaced by Markus Schopp who lasted just a few months before Poya Asbaghi was appointed. This proved another poor move as Barnsley were relegated.
Michael Duff became manager for the 2022-23 season in League One as the goals of Devante Cole took the side to the playoffs. Bolton Wanderers were defeated but Sheffield Wednesday won the South Yorkshire derby 1-0 at Wembley. Duff departed for Swansea City, with Neill Collins replacing him.
Matters off the pitch also raised their head as the EFL charged the club with five breaches relating to its sale and ownership going back several years. A new investment company was formed to take charge. Collins was sacked two games from the end of the 2023-24 campaign with Martin Deveney put in interim charge.
The side lost their playoff semifinal to Bolton Wanderers, prior to the appointment of Darrell Clarke as manager.
Barnsley FC will play in the EFL League One in the 2024-25 season.
My visitsBarnsley 1 Hull City 4 (Wednesday 1st January 1986) Division Two (att: 8,363)
I travelled to this afternoon New Year's game with my mates on the City supporters coach, which set off from Scarborough. We got there about an hour before kick off and although some Tigers fans went off looking for a pub, it looked to have been a dodgy experience. Instead we went straight inside.
We were on a large open terrace with a small disabled stand in the corner to our right. The facilities for us were spartan to say the least. To our right was the Brewery Stand, a full length cover over the rear two thirds of terracing. he terracing continued at the far Pontefract Road End, which had a cover over it. Terracing also ran down the fourth side, with the covered seated West Stand at its rear. It really was an old fashioned ground with no airs or graces but a decent capacity.
The score was 1-1 at half time thanks to a Mike Ring Tigers goal, but City destroyed The Tykes in the second half with three goals going in the goal in front of us from Bobby Doyle, Stan McEwan and Richard Jobson; which made it even more pleasurable.
The coach journey home was joyous and I celebrated by going to The Nelson for beers and pool.
Barnsley 3 Scarborough 4 (Tuesday 16th August 1988) Yorkshire & Humberside Cup (att: 1,788)
This prestigious fixture took place as part of a pre season tournament in Scarborough's second Football League campaign. Hopes were high that Neil Warnock's new signings were going to lead to a successful season.
Boro were torn apart for long periods of the game by the sublime David Currie. He left the stage to a rapturous ovation from all in the ground with Barnsley leading 3-1. That was all the invitation Boro needed.
Wednesday 10th October 2012
After staying in Sheffield the previous evening and witnessing a dire Football League Trophy game between Doncaster Rovers and Chesterfield, I was on a mission to visit some old and new grounds before heading to the Barton Town Old Boys v Scarborough Athletic clash that evening.
Oakwell had changed beyond all recognition since my previous visit. Above me in the corner was a disabled and sponsors box. Behind the nearest goal was the North Stand, a large single tier of seats where the old open terrace once stood, with the players tunnel near the corner flag.
To the right the East Stand remained the same, but the paddock was now all seated. The far Pontefract Road End was also a single tiered seated stand. Alongside was the Corner Stand, a three level structure containing corporate boxes. This led to the two tiered seated East Stand with more boxes separating the levels.
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