Barnsley's Monday night TV appearance was a rare treat - if only the result had lived up to the billing

By Ian Winwood

Published 15:36 12/11/09

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At the start of this week I was able to see the most unusual of sights: The team I support – regular readers will know that I waste good money and energy following Barnsley Football Club – were shown live on television, all the way from freezing Oakwell.

So I invited myself over to my friend Dan’s house out in the wilds of South London. I got there early so we could take the kids for a walk in the park, then as the two sons were dispatched off to bed I wondered aloud “how does thing work?” as I frowned at the remote control as if it were a dog I had taken to the theatre.

Barnsley’s opponents that night were also from the Socialist Republic of South Yorkshire. And for once, Sheffield United weren’t sure of a win, to stretch their run of triumphs over The Tykes to 10 matches. If Barnsley could break a nine-year-duck against The Blades then they would leapfrog the Brammal Lane side.

Playing in our customary red shirts, white shorts and red socks, the home team began brightly. The best squad I’ve seen at Oakwell since the Premier League Promotion Season, the crowd were spoiled for choice when it came to which player’s name they would sing a eulogy. Darren Moore, Adam Hammill, John Macken all took their place in the crowd’s chorus.

Now, enmity exists between the two clubs separated by just three junctions of the M1. At the corresponding fixture last season, Barnsley striker Iain Hume was out for almost eight months after defender Chris Morgan, formerly a Barnsley player, and from the town (or ‘tarn) delivered a swift elbow to the side of the head. For a moment there it looked as if our number seven might die as a result of Morgan’s intervention. Taking his place as second half substitute, the Canadian’s skull looks like a baseball.

I have a theory that when it comes to goals, seeing your team score summons from within you a state of euphoria that is entirely out of proportion with the ball crossing the line. No matter how much I like going to see, say, Green Day – who I saw no less than four times in October – if I cheer the band it is a voluntary reaction. The footballing equivalent is like a bomb going off inside your ribcage.

So Barnsley went one up in the second half. But then Sheffield United were gifted a penalty kick, from which they scored. Barnsley then took the lead for a second time, but the team representing the fourth largest city in England were awarded a second penalty . Again they scored, final score: 2-2.

So I thanked Dan and his wife Anna for their hospitality and departed into a frigid night and a train to Victoria and then up to Camden Town. Living here means that I don’t get to see Barnsley as often as I would like – I’ve been to four matches so far this season – which means a slot on Sky Sports 1 is something worth seeing.

Great night, disappointing result.