AFTER playing in four FA Cup Finals and lifting the famous old trophy once, former Reds boss Allan Clarke believes Barnsley have brought breathed new life into a competition that has lost its shine in recent years.

Speaking exclusively to Reds Head of Media Rob Knowles for www.barnsleyfc.co.uk, Allan said: "It is unbelievable and I was absolutely delighted for everybody connected with the Club. I just hope they go and win the whole thing now. There will never be a better chance for Barnsley to win the FA Cup.

"It is amazing, it really is. When you look at the two teams they have knocked out to get to the Semi Final then they really do deserve to win it.

"Like anything you need a bit of luck to win the FA Cup and the best team does not always win it in the end. It was the same in my day although now the game has changes so much but not for the better. The top four teams have bought up all the trophies now so this season has been a breath of fresh air.

"I played in four FA Cup Finals and was lucky enough to win it once. You need the rub of the green to do that. Hopefully Barnsley will have that.

"People have devalued the FA Cup in recent years and I think a lot of that is down to the number of foreign players throughout the divisions. They just do not know what the FA Cup means to an Englishman.

"Barnsley have put that magic back into the Cup this season.

"I can remember vividly watching my first FA Cup Final back in 1954 when my team - West Brom - beat Preston North End 3-2. It is every young Englishman's dream to play in the FA Cup Final at Wembley. I think foreigners do not realise that it is the greatest cup competition in the world.

"This weekend will be great for Barnsley. I wish them all the best and hopefully they can see what a FA Cup Final is like".

Allan joined the Reds as player-manager back in 1978. He made 47 appearances for the Club, netting 15 goals. The former Leeds striker - who netted the winning goal in the Whites 1972 FA Cup Final win over Arsenal - bossed the Reds until 1980. He returned to the Club for a second spell as manager in 1985, spending four more years at Oakwell.

REDS AT WEMBLEY - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW LINKS

John Hendrie
Craig Hignett
Paul Heckingbottom
John Beresford
Steve Chettle
Norman Hunter
Ashley Ward
Allan Clarke
Nigel Spackman
Danny Wilson