1996 - 1997

WHEN the 1996-97 season began few people in Barnsley never mind the rest of the country imagined that nine months later the Tykes would be celebrating their first ever promotion to the top flight.

Danny Wilson had been disappointed with the results from the final third of the previous season and had been very busy in the close season transfer market.

Leaving the club were stalwarts Owen Archdeacon and Brendan O'Connell along with leading scorer Andy Payton.

In return came five signings, the experienced pair Paul Wilkinson and Neil Thompson along with utility player Matty Appleby.

Added to these Jovo Bosancic and Clint Marcelle signed from the continent.

It was Marcelle, whose international clearance didn't arrive until 48 hours prior to the opening game, who netted the Tykes opening goal in a 2-1 win at West Bromwich.

It was the beginning of an excellent start with them equalling the best start to the season as they proceeded to win their next four games and so with 15 points topped the league.

In the next few weeks the form dropped a fraction and the doubters began to think it was to be another false dawn.

Wilson then dipped into the transfer market and brought in experienced striker John Hendrie.

After an initial settling in period Hendrie was to become the inspiration of the team as he reunited with Wilkinson to provide the cutting edge.

During October and November goals flowed freely as the form returned.

It was during that period that they met Bolton twice and had two classic encounters.

The first at Oakwell saw Wanderers go into a two-goal lead early in the second half.

However the Tykes inspirational skipper Neil Redfearn led the recovery and his two goals gave them a share of the spoils.

A month later in the return they again fell behind.

But when Redfearn's second of the game put them in front with 10 minutes remaining it looked as if they would bring home maximum points.

Then with a minute remaining Thompson found an equaliser for Bolton.

For the next two months the two rivals battled it out at the top and Barnsley led at Christmas after they won a passionate local derby at Sheffield United courtesy of an 86th goal by Hendrie.

After the New Year they were to suffer a loss of form.

Two defeats at Loftus Road were blows.

The first in the league not only saw John Spencer's hat trick hit their hopes but Steve Davis broke a leg that was to keep him out for the rest of the season.

They returned in the F.A. Cup only to go down 3-2 on that occasion with Trevor Sinclair's spectacular 20-yard overhead kick being the difference.

The wonder strike won Sinclair the 'Goal Of The Season' award.

A home defeat at the hands of promotion rivals Wolves at the end of February put the Black Country team in prime position to join Bolton, who were now running away with he league, in the Premier League.

Barnsley's response was excellent and in the next 11 games they suffered only one defeat.

It was during that time that they recorded their biggest win of the season, a 4-0 thrashing of Charlton.

With three minutes left a crucial 24-hour period took place.

Barnsley had moved five points clear of Wolves and went to Portsmouth full of confidence.

It was to be misplaced as Lee Bradbury with a hat trick led Pompey to a 4-2 win.

A day later Wolves entertained Grimsby, in what on paper looked an easier fixture.

Despite taking the lead Wolves were held when the Mariners snatched a late equaliser.

So to the Saturday that the Town of Barnsley will remember forever.

Knowing that victory would mean promotion Oakwell was full to the rafters the opposition, Bradford City, were fighting for points at the other end of the table, so there would be no favours.

There has probably been no atmosphere at Oakwell to match that day and when Wilkinson headed home during the first half the ground nearly exploded.

Despite being in control until the break a second wouldn't come.

After the break nerves took over and with City on the lookout for an equaliser the tension became unbearable.

With just two minutes remaining Marcelle danced forward and from the edge of the area scored the most important goal in the history of Barnsley Football Club.

The Town has never seen scenes like it for after the celebrations at the ground ended the town centre became awash with people.

Bolton won the division by 18 points and Crystal Palace who finished sixth came through the play offs.

At the other end Grimsby, Oldham and Southend suffered relegation.

The team went out of the F.A. Cup in the fourth round at Q.P.R. after beating Oldham 2-0.

They didn't fair any better in the Coca Cola League Cup for after beating Rochdale 3-2 on aggregate they went out 2-1 to Gillingham.

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