1999

Any headline that has the words ‘Super Imps’ in it is worth writing about.

Having lost 4-2 at home, this game seemed a formality for the home side, but we raced into a two-goal lead. On 69 minutes, Richard Peacock’s curling effort came back off the crossbar, and had it gone in, City would have overturned the deficit and possibly gone on to win the game. Possibly.

Instead, Craig Hignett inspired a late comeback from the team two divisions above us, creating for Mike Sheron to give them the advantage. With the home crowd behind them, future Imp Nicky Eaden chipped in with a late goal.

An injury to Super Kevin Austin marred the game, one that kept him out for a year. He’d been ever-present but only appeared once more for the Tykes, and only played 11 matches over the following three years. No injury? Who knows. At the end of the campaign, Barnsley were beaten play-off finalists, coming a single game from the Premier League.