Almanac Soccer: Barnsley in the Doldrums
The former FitzWilliam Inn in Barnsley
It’s been about two months since I last reported on the Tykes, however if I had optimistic tidings, it would have been much sooner.
Way back in December when the weather got nasty, Barnsley drew with Huddersfield Town and then lost to Preston North End. A few days later they drew with West Bromwich Albion but then the rot set in; Blackburn Rovers were too good in late December.
To welcome the New Year, the match between Blackpool and Barnsley was postponed because of Covid. It seems that a number of the Tykes had Covid and they couldn’t field a team. But worse was yet to come, over the next six games Barnsley were beaten by Birmingham City, Nottingham Forest, AFC Bournemouth, Cardiff City, Huddersfield Town and Luton Town.
So the Tykes are sitting stone motherless last on the Championship ladder and looking a certainty to be demoted to League One. Now I know the sighting of a first swallow doesn’t make it a Spring (English saying), but somehow, out of the blue Barnsley defeated Queen’s Park Rangers 1-0. I had to check a couple of times to see if I was reading it correctly, but it was true. QPR, in the running to win promotion to the Premier League, beaten by the Tykes headed in the opposite direction to League One.
For Barnsley to stay in Championship they have to win all the remaining games and hope the three teams above them lose all their games, not what I would call a likely outcome. The Tykes have pulled off remarkable comebacks over the years, could they do it again?
The other bit of Barnsley news came as a shock to me. The FitzWilliam Inn, my favourite watering hole. has been closed since 2006 and is looking derelict. No wonder my attempts over the years to get in touch have failed. Really sad to see it in this condition, when thirty years ago it was such a warm welcoming pub.
More from Rod Oaten can be read Here.
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Sad to see the end of Barnsley as a contender, a far better bet for the top echelon than friendly Fulham, poncy Luton or vengeful Sunderland…
My team Newcastle seems to have escaped the drop to the Championship and can look forward to a brighter future without the stifling ownership of Mike Ashley.
If your name is not Manchester City or Liverpool then the relegation wolf is always sniffing around the door. I am sure that Barnsley can make a comeback in the next year or two, look at Leeds.