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Rothred from barnsley originally, but now live in rotherham, been watching barnsley since I was six.
What was your first game?
Luton 1967
Describe the most memorable and the worst game you have seen and why?
Bradford promotion to premier league - such a special, special day, three generations of my family were there to see something we'd only dared to dream about since childhood but never expected to see. In addition it was my sons ninth birthday and he heard it read out on the tannoy at half time which made it extra special for us all.
Worst game was relagation from the championship against Norwich at home. A big crowd turned out, its just a pity the players didn't. An accumulation of bad managerial appointments and poor purchases saw us sink far below the level we should be at.
Who are your current local rivals and why?
Rovrum, Doncaster and the unmentionables in the city of 7 hills. For me the biggest is Rovrum because I'm surrounded by millers fans (all 10 of them) at home and at work and they give me serious gip.
Who are the best and worst players you have seen?
Best 4 players I have seen play for barnsley are Mick Mcarthy, Neil Redfearn, Ronnie Glavin and Craig Hignett. Mick because he was a barnsley lad playing for his own town who gave everything and was international class (as he proved later in his career). Neil because he was the man who got us into the premier leading by example with goals, grit and a good footballing brain.
Ronnie is the only player who managed to get a roar of anticipation and excitement from the crowd every time he got the ball. His abilty to carry the ball, beat players and score goals has never been repeated at Oakwell. Craig was probably the player we were lacking in the premiership season, his guile, nous, and abilty to change the course of games with a stroke of genius almost got us promoted in 2000 single handedly.
I'm not going to name names for the worst players other than to say there were probably 8 or 9 who soaked up most of the parachute money we received after relegation from the premier without turning in the performances their large salaries demanded. They know who they are and they almost cost Barnsley its football club.
How did you fare last season?
Some astute purchases but they didn't gel under Paul Hart, Andy Richie came in late and got them together but by that time it was too late to mount a challenge.
Where do you think you?ll finish up this season?
If we carry on our current form until the end of the season and keep key players fit. top three.
If Barnsley were a TV personality, who would it be and why?
Roy Walker - "say what you see". That catchphrase just about sums up barnsley folk
So already this season you've wanted to sack Richie, although your now doing alright. Whats the current feeling towards the manager?
I've never wanted to sack Richie and have stood firm against his critics. I want some stability, not more chop and change. He's made some very good purchases this season that have augmented last seasons buys and the home grown talent. He talks sense, is good with the press (unlike the last incumbant) gets the team playing attractive, exciting football and for the first time in years I've started to go to Oakwell expecting to win.
So what do you think of The Millers?
Not much going for them at the moment, they have no money, only a small number of fans (partly due to the pressures of other, more successful south yorkshire teams and partly due to a large percentage of their possible fan base being made up of foreigners who show no interest in the club). In addition they have not much of a ground and the teams performance reflect the fact that it is run on a shoe string. Finally, the manager is extremely scarey. He was a thug on the pitch, is he a thug in the dressing room??? (we wish!!! - ed)
Which current or former Millers player has impressed you the most?
Most impressive miller has to be Ronnie Moore, Barnsley fans always had a good crack with him as a player and a manager and he led you to your best ever period, with next to nothing. which fool got rid of him?
Glad to be rid of Conlon? at least for a while?
Big Baz is a trier and I can't fault him for his effort, but he just can't get in the box when we need him there. The number of times I have seen us break from defence, swiftly go down the wing and put in an early cross only to find Baz still lumbering past half way line is too many to count this season.
Are you happy with your chairman and board members?
I'm fence sitting at the moment. Everything is kept hush hush I suppose it will all come out in the wash in the long run.
Which team do you want to beat this season the most and why?
Doncaster, they've pasted us once and robbed us once (due to a very dodgy ref) so I think we need to bring them back down to earth.
What sort of line up can we expect from you?
4 - 4 - 2
Colgan
Hassle Watt Kay Austin
Shuker Mcphail Burns Devaney
Richards Hayes
Who's your strongest/weakest link?
Midfield is extremely strong, probably the best we have had in the last three years. Strikeforce are not putting the ball in the net at the moment so they are probably our weakest point.
What's your predicted score?
Barnsley 2 Rovrum 0
Who's going up?
Barnsley, Huddersfield, Swansea
Who's going down?
MK Dons, Tranmere, Blackpool
And finally?.Meat and tatty, Beef n Onion or Balti?
Meat and tatty (yours are far better than ours)