A postcard from ... Barnsley

By Chris Lepkowski on February 9, 2008 10:50 PM | Permalink

1. No electricity in the WOODEN main stand. In the press room things aren't much better - no tea, unless we unplug our laptops from charge. Our computers don't charge but we drink our tea. We want a compromise but told the surge in electricity will bring South Yorkshire to a darkened halt.

2. Heaven 17 over the PA before the kick-off. Temptation? I have one to leave Barnsley as soon as possible.

3. Playing see-saw with my laptop on the six-inch wide flip desks. Dean Kiely would be proud of my reaction times. My bosses will be proud they're not paying out for a new HP.

4. I'm supposed to be sat behind somebody called Benny Hill. I keep a look out for Syd James, Leonard Rossiter and Tommy Cooper. Not even a short bald-headed bloke to slap on the head. Certainly no women dressed in underwear. This isn't my day.

5. I look around, listen to the music, notice the lack of electricity, the general demeanour of Barnsley folk.

Fire up the Quattro and get me back into 2008.

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4 Comments

baggie bear said:

our result was just like 1981 as well

February 10, 2008 7:56 PM

Brummy road said:

rubbish result. get a center back in peace

February 10, 2008 7:58 PM

Ken Dodd's tickle stick said:

Barnsley is living proof that it really is grim oop north.

February 11, 2008 11:06 AM

Dave Morgan said:

Not wishing to prolong the South Yorkshire stereotypes as I'm a Baggie fan who has lived in Doncaster for 15 years, but what you say about Oakwell's West stand is pretty much on the ball.

I've been to every game we've played there since 1993, and it is on a par with Stoke as a miserable place for Baggie folk, whether on or off the pitch. We seem to reserve our worst possible performances for this place, year in, year out. I call it the 'Oakwell Experience.'

Just to finish - those acres of empty seats in the West Stand were once full to the brim with Barnsley 'fans' like a certain mate of mine. He supported them avidly for one whole season and has not been to the ground since. Yes, that's right, the year they spent in the Premiership. So, although we can't beat them on the pitch, at least Albion can take pride in the great support our team can command, which was once again to the fore on Saturday.

February 15, 2008 1:07 PM