August 2005
A NEW season started with renewed optimism around Oakwell after a summer which had seen Andy Ritchie confirmed as manager; Paul Hayes, Brian Howard; Richard Kell and Danny Nardiello sign on the dotted line and a genuine feeling that something could be achieved on the pitch after years of hurt.
Things got off to the best possible start when Hayes and Chris Shuker bagged the goals to confidently despatch Swindon Town on the opening day. That early season optimism took a bit of a blow on August 9 as newly promoted Scunthorpe United came from behind to snatch a 2-1 success as the Reds struggled a little on the road.
That away curse struck again the following weekend as Colchester striker Chris Iwelumo netted the only goal of the game to condemn the Reds to their second straight defeat.
League One new boys Yeovil Town were next at Oakwell and Barnsley finally got back to winning ways with a well-deserved 1-0 success over the men from Huish Park. It was not plain sailing though and it took a late winner by Robbie Williams from the penalty spot to keep the Reds on track.
At Carling Cup trip to Preston North End following as the Reds created a little bit of history at Deepdale by despatching the Championship side on penalties after the game had finished 2-2 at the end of extra time. Goalkeeper Nick Colgan, on as a substitute for injured youngster Scott Flinders, was the Reds' spot kick hero.
Promotion rivals Brentford were next to visit Oakwell on August 27 and the Bees managed to take home the point they desperately wanted with a 90 minute rearguard action that frustrated the Reds. Barnsley were in front on 24 minutes as Michael Turner sent the ball past his own keeper but the Bees finally showed some attacking intent a minute later as Lloyd Owusu levelled.
Two days later the Reds were on the road again and their early season away day curse struck again at Swansea City. Despite Jacob Burns levelling Kevin McLeod's opener, the Swans ran out winners after McLeod again and Lee Trundle bagged second half striker.
August 2005
P7 W2 D2 L3
AFTER a stuttering start to the season, the Reds entered September looking for a boost.
The recent arrivals of Martin Devaney and Marc Richards had lifted spirits around Oakwell and when Nottingham Forest came to town on September 10, Barnsley gave a glimpse of what was to come throughout the season. The Reds defended resolutely and shut out a lively Forest side, while at the other end Barry Conlon and Chris Shuker bagged two well taken goals to secure the points.
Three days later the Reds made the long trip south to Gillingham and finally ended their away day hoodoo in magnificent fashion as Paul Hayes, Chris Shuker and Daniel Nardiello bagged a goal apiece in a comfortable 3-0 win at The Priestfield Stadium.
The next weekend saw the Reds travel to MK Dons and, although they struggled a little, Ritchie's side picked up another clean sheet and well-deserved point from the game.
Although they crashed out of the Carling Cup with a 2-0 away defeat at Burnley on September 20, the real alarm bells were ringing at Oakwell four days later when Doncaster Rovers again proved to be a real thorn in the side for Barnsley. Despite a sterling display against all the odds following Neil Austin and Antony Kay's controversial dismissals, Barnsley were beaten 2-0 in front of 12,000 supporters. It was to be the Reds' only home defeat throughout the whole regular league season.
Things went from bad to worse a few days later as Ritchie's Reds endured a nightmare 15 minute spell at Bristol City which saw the home side race into a three goal lead. Barnsley had chances in the second half to peg City back but had to make the long journey back disappointed.
September 2005
P6 W2 D1 L3
October 2005
ON the back of two demoralising defeats, the Reds needed to kick start their season in October promotion hopefuls Oldham Athletic came to Oakwell.
Barnsley's own ambitions were slowly eroding as a stuttering start to the campaign had left Andy Ritchie's side in mid-table. Things suddenly got a whole lot brighter though as a Chris Shuker brace and strikes from Martin Devaney and Daniel Nardiello blew away the Latics in emphatic fashion.
A fortnight later Blackpool were the visitors to Oakwell and things suddenly look gloomy as Simon Wiles and Reds' bound Tommy Wright put the Seasiders two up. Barnsley showed tremendous courage and spirit to claw their way back into the game as Marc Richards and Brian Howard bagged late goals to claim an unlikely draw.
Local rivals Doncaster were again at Oakwell on October 18 in a hotly anticipated LDV Vans Trophy clash but again the Reds failed to put on a show against the men from Belle Vue. Despite taking an early lead through Richards, Rovers ran riot and eventually came away 5-2 winners.
It was a devastating result and one that really galvanised the Reds. Four days later Andy Ritchie took his side to promotion chasing Southend and Barnsley battled to claim a well-deserved point after Jacob Burns' netted a second half leveller to cancel out Shaun Goater's opener.
A tough looking trip to Rotherham United following on October 25 and, on a poor pitch in atrocious weather conditions, the Reds showed their promotion credentials with a hard-fought victory after Devaney found the back of the net late on.
October ended on a high with another well-deserved victory at Oakwell as Paul Hayes and Howard found the target in a 2-1 success against Walsall.
October 2005
P6 W3 D1 L1
November 2005
BACK on track and firing on all cylinders, the Reds started November on a high after boss Andy Ritchie was named Coca Cola League One Manager Of The Month for October after a fine few weeks at Oakwell.
Ritchie's Reds continued in the same vein as Paul Hayes netted the only goal of the game to beat Darlington in the FA Cup First Round before returning to league action at Bradford City a week later. The clash with the Bantams was embarrassingly one-sided despite Brian Howard's early dismissal but the Reds had Nick Colgan to thank after the keeper earned a point with a wonderful late save to deny Dean Windass.
Rotherham United were the visitors at Oakwell on November 19 and again the Reds were held at home but this time it took a late surge and an even later Steven Watt goal to deny the struggling Millers all three points. Rotherham finished the game with nine men but had taken an early lead through Shaun Barker.
The Reds were on the road again at the end of November with a tough trip to Swindon Town. The County Ground has never been much of a happy hunting ground for the Reds but two Chris Shuker goals and a third from Martin Devaney secured a thoroughly deserved and comfortable 3-0 win.
November 2005
P4 W2 D2 L0
December 2005
ON a high after a two-month unbeaten run in the league, Andy Ritchie's Reds could all but touch the top six going into December 2005.
The Reds were back on the FA Cup trail on December 3 as Bradford City came to Oakwell and earned a replay after Richard Edghill's late strike cancelled out Paul Hayes' opener.
Barnsley returned to league action just three days later as Marc Richards and Martin Devaney inspired the Reds to a 2-1 home success over Tranmere Rovers.
Scunthorpe United were the visitors on December 10 and Barnsley lit up a cold December afternoon with a five-star showing to blow away the newly promoted side. Hayes was imperious throughout and his all-action display was capped by a fine fifth goal in the 5-2 rout.
The Reds hit five again just three days later as they travelled to Bradford City and again blew away the Bantams to earn a place in the FA Cup Third Round. Although the game went through to extra time, the Reds were always on top and Devaney's outstanding performance led Ritchie's side to a 5-3 victory.
The Reds' decent run had to end eventually and defeat finally came at Yeovil Town on December 17. Robbie Williams opened the scoring but David Poole and Efe Sodje netted in the space of twenty second half minutes to earn the points.
Boxing Day at Oakwell promised much with the visit of struggling Hartlepool United but again the Reds home nerves managed to get the better of them and the visitors stole a point after Eifon Williams had levelled in the second half. Richards opened the scoring for the Reds from the penalty spot mid-way through the first half.
The curtain was brought down on 2005 with an Oakwell cracker as local rivals Huddersfield Town proved to be sterling opponents in a tense and tight battle. The Reds were in front twice through Jacob Burns and Daniel Nardiello but Town levelled first when Andy Booth found the back of the net and then Gary Taylor Fletcher earned a point deep in stoppage time.
December 2005
P7 W3 D3 L1
January 2006
A NEW Year and, with optimism high around Oakwell, the Reds looked for a memorable second half to a campaign that had already promised so much.
2006 started with the arrival of Tommy Wright from Leicester City and the striker did his best to open his account on his debut at Chesterfield on January 2. Wright did everything but hit the back of the net in an encouraging first match for his new club but the Saltergate clash eventually finished goalless.
The Reds were held again a week later as Walsall were the visitors to Oakwell in the FA Cup Third Round. The Saddlers took a deserved lead midway through the second half through on loan winger Kevin James but Paul Hayes continued his FA Cup goalscoring exploits to earn a replay.
Three days later struggling Gillingham arrived at Oakwell and, although the Reds dominated, they could only register a single Chris Shuker goal but it was enough to earn another three points.
Barnsley travelled to Port Vale on January 14 in desperate need of an away day boost but a woeful first half saw the home side stroll into a two goal lead. The Reds responded well with Jacob Burns and Matt Carbon levelling things before Sam Togwell's late deflected strike won it for Vale.
The FA Cup replay at Walsall on January 17 was to prove to be a watershed for the Reds and would eventually kick start their season. Barnsley were appalling at the Bescot Stadium with Michael Leary and Kevin James dumping the Reds out of the FA Cup as the Saddlers ran riot.
Defeat against Walsall proved to be the spur Ritchie's side needed and they bounced back in emphatic fashion with a comfortable 2-0 win over MK Dons at Oakwell on January 21. Bobby Hassell and Marc Richards netted the decisive goals to beat Danny Wilson's strugglers.
A Friday night date with Nottingham Forest live on SKY was next up for the Reds and, in front of the nation, they really turned on the style to blow away Gary Megson's promotion favourites. Richards was again the hero with two excellent strikes although the Reds really could have run up a cricket score at the City Ground.
January 2006
P7 W3 D2 L2
February 2006
AFTER back-to-back wins at the end of January, the Reds were in good shape going into February.
Things got even better when a comprehensive 2-0 victory over Bristol City at Oakwell on February 4 with striker Marc Richards bagging both goals to keep the Reds in the hunt for automatic promotion.
A week later, Ritchie's side were undone again at Doncaster Rovers as Jason Price netted a brace but a hard fought point against Port Vale at Oakwell three days later kept the momentum going. Paul Hayes netted the Reds' goal against the Valiants.
A tough trip to Tranmere Rovers followed on February 18 but again the Reds showed a new found resilience and refused to buckle under immense pressure from the home side. Paul Heckingbottom's goal was enough to take all three points.
A week later and promotion rivals Colchester United were at Oakwell for a colossal top of the table clash. Brian Howard's goal decided it to leave the Reds within touching distance of the top but they had to thank keeper Nick Colgan after a string of late saves kept the Us at bay.
A trip to Bournemouth followed three days later and the Reds' really should have taken the points back north after Stephen McPhail had given them a deserved half time lead. It was not to be and giant Aussie Adam Griffiths leveller earned the Cherries a share of the spoils.
February 2006
P6 W3 D2 L1
March 2006
THE Reds hopes of automatic promotion were left hinging on an eight match run through March and early April as Andy Ritchie's side looked set for a rollercoaster end to the campaign.
Things did not get off to the best start on March 4 as Swansea City came from behind to snatch a point at Oakwell. Andy Robinson opened the scoring for the visitors but goals from Daniel Nardiello and Marc Richards had put the Reds in the driving seat only for Lee Trundle to level late on.
A trip to promotion rivals Brentford the following Saturday proved to be a real watershed for Ritchie's young side as they were bullied out of the game in the first half and found themselves two down after Ricky Newman and Lloyd Owusu had netted early goals. Barnsley rallied after the break and pulled one back when Tommy Wright bagged his first for the club before a late and controversial Owusu penalty settled things.
It was a big jolt to the Reds and they almost pressed the self destruct button again a week later when Joel Porter gave Hartlepool an early lead at Victoria Park. Antony Kay's diving header secured a vital point for the Reds just before the break.
Bournemouth were the visitors to Oakwell on March 25 and the Cherries rearguard display limited Ritchie's Reds and frustrated the home crowd throughout. In the end neither side could find a breakthrough and the goalless draw did little to keep Barnsley in the hunt for automatic promotion.
March 2006
P4 W0 D3 L1
April 2006
APRIL 2006 meant one thing for the Reds - a six game shoot out to secure automatic promotion.
Things got off to the worst possible start as Andy Ritchie's side played Huddersfield Town completely off the park at the Galpharm Stadium but fell foul of Gary Taylor Fletcher's goal from Town's only real attack.
Undeterred, the Reds ground out a point at Oakwell against Chesterfield on April 8 after Derek Niven cancelled out Brian Howard's first half opener.
Barnsley needed a lift and they got it a week later with a trip to Play Off rivals Oldham Athletic. The Reds were simply magnificent and second half goals from Chris Shuker, Stephen McPhail and Martin Devaney wrapped up a comfortable 3-0 win.
Things carried on in great fashion on April 17 as Southend came to Oakwell and saw a rampant Reds race into a two-goal half time lead. However, title-chasing Southend proved that they were no pushovers and Mark Gower and Freddy Eastwood levelled things up.
Howard was again the hero on April 22 as his second half leveller earned a much-needed point at Blackpool but the Reds failure to pick up the maximum meant the top two were finally out of reach.
It left the Reds needing three points to secure a play off place when Bradford City came to Oakwell a week later. Again the Reds battled hard but a determined Bantams side ground out a goalless draw to set up a nailbiting final day trip to Walsall.
April 2006
P6 W1 D4 L1
May 2006
AFTER nine months of intense Coca Cola League One competition, the Reds play off ambitions hinged on 90 minutes of football at Walsall.
Things got off to the perfect start when Marc Richards rose highest at the far post to nod home midway through the first half. It was all going to plan but then Dean Keates netted a controversial penalty just after the break to really test the nerves of the thousands of travelling Barnsley supporters.
Ian Roper did the Reds a favour by getting himself sent off before Daniel Nardiello wrote a little piece of Oakwell history with a late penalty to secure a top six finish.
It meant a two-legged clash with neighbours Huddersfield Town and things were never going to be easy, especially when Gary Taylor Fletcher scored the only goal of the game at Oakwell on May 11.
Four days later the Reds were at the Galpharm and struggling until Paul Hayes won a controversial penalty early in the second half. The striker dusted himself down and levelled the tie with a coolest of spot kicks.
It was advantage Huddersfield again just seven minutes later when Jon Worthington took advantage of Stephen McPhail's back pass to put his side back in front on aggregate. Down but not out, Andy Ritchie's side showed great character and drive to press forward and skipper Paul Reid's goal again swung the pendulum back in the Reds favour on 71 minutes.
Huddersfield were desperate and a fantastic break by the Reds led to Paul Rachubka fumbling Brian Howard's thunderbolt on 78 minutes to give Nardiello the chance to send Barnsley to Cardiff.
May 27, 2006, will go down in Barnsley history as the day the class of 05/06 became Oakwell legends alongside the promotion winning sides of 1996/97 and 1980/81. In front of 25,000 Reds fans, Ritchie's young side became men against Swansea City and brought Championship football back to Oakwell.
Things got off to the perfect start when Hayes converted a Martin Devaney cross on 19 minutes but goals from Rory Fallon and Andy Robinson handed the advantage to the Swans at half time. Nardiello's fine free kick levelled things just after the hour mark and, after 30 tense minutes of extra time, the game was to be settled by penalties.
The Reds spot kicks were all magnificent and when Adebayo Akinfenwa had missed, Alan Tate was left needing to score to keep Swansea in the game. Nick Colgan - the Reds Player Of The Year - made a fine save to send thousands of Barnsley supporters into raptures and spark a summer of celebrations.
May 2006
P4 W3* D0 L1
* One Win On Penalties
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