Grand Day Out: The life and times of Barnsley at Wembley

BARNSLEY head to Wembley for the second time in 57 days in Sunday's League One showpiece with Millwall - and if it is the same outcome as in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final win against Oxford United on April 3, then Reds supporters certainly won't be complaining.
Barnsley Sam Winnall with the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. Picture: Tony Johnson.Barnsley Sam Winnall with the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. Picture: Tony Johnson.
Barnsley Sam Winnall with the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. Picture: Tony Johnson.

All told, Sunday is Barnsley’s fourth appointment at the home of football.

Here is the lowdown on Barnsley’s previous Wembley appearances.

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Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final, April 3, 2016: Barnsley 3 Oxford United 2

Barnsley goalkeeper Luke Steele saves a header from Cardiff City's Gavin Rae during the FA Cup Semi-Final in 2008. Picture: PA.Barnsley goalkeeper Luke Steele saves a header from Cardiff City's Gavin Rae during the FA Cup Semi-Final in 2008. Picture: PA.
Barnsley goalkeeper Luke Steele saves a header from Cardiff City's Gavin Rae during the FA Cup Semi-Final in 2008. Picture: PA.

Barnsley edged a thrilling Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final with Oxford United at Wembley to win the competition for the first time in their history - and triumph for the maiden occasion at the home of football.

League Two side Oxford deservedly led 1-0 at half-time through Callum O’Dowda’s header, but Barnsley recovered to lead 3-1 following a powerhouse second period after a few cajoling words in the dressing room from Paul Heckingbottom.

Chey Dunkley nodded into his own net under pressure from Reds’ top-scorer Sam Winnall, before Ashley Fletcher fired in a loose ball from eight yards.

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Oxford, who were aiming to become the first fourth-tier side to win the competition since Luton Town in 2009, came close to making it 2-2, but Tykes goalkeeper Adam Davies made a stunning reaction save to keep out Liam Sercombe’s close-range attempt.

Barnsley's Sam Winnall equalises against Oxford in the JP Trophy final at Wembley earlier this year. Picture: Tony JohnsonBarnsley's Sam Winnall equalises against Oxford in the JP Trophy final at Wembley earlier this year. Picture: Tony Johnson
Barnsley's Sam Winnall equalises against Oxford in the JP Trophy final at Wembley earlier this year. Picture: Tony Johnson

It proved a key point with Adam Hammill soon curling in from outside the area following a mazy run in a delectable Wembley moment.

Danny Hylton’s bullet header set up a tense finish, but the Oakwell outfit, backed by 25,000 ecstatic fans, many of whom were clad in flat caps, held on.

FA Cup semi-final, April 6, 2008: Barnsley 0 Cardiff City 1

Joe Ledley scored the only goal to end Barnsley’s magic FA Cup run and send Cardiff through to a final against Portsmouth.

Barnsley goalkeeper Luke Steele saves a header from Cardiff City's Gavin Rae during the FA Cup Semi-Final in 2008. Picture: PA.Barnsley goalkeeper Luke Steele saves a header from Cardiff City's Gavin Rae during the FA Cup Semi-Final in 2008. Picture: PA.
Barnsley goalkeeper Luke Steele saves a header from Cardiff City's Gavin Rae during the FA Cup Semi-Final in 2008. Picture: PA.
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Ledley volleyed them in front inside nine minutes after Barnsley failed to deal with a Tony Capaldi long throw and that is how it stayed in what proved a low-key last-four clash.

The Tykes responded well, but had keeper Luke Steele to thank for denying Trevor Sinclair from close range.

Steele also kept out a Gavin Rae header before the golden chance Barnsley craved arrived on the scene.

But Kayode Odejayi - hero in the quarter-final stunner against Chelsea - missed a glorious chance to level when he was put clean through on goal, only to shoot wide.

Barnsley's Sam Winnall equalises against Oxford in the JP Trophy final at Wembley earlier this year. Picture: Tony JohnsonBarnsley's Sam Winnall equalises against Oxford in the JP Trophy final at Wembley earlier this year. Picture: Tony Johnson
Barnsley's Sam Winnall equalises against Oxford in the JP Trophy final at Wembley earlier this year. Picture: Tony Johnson
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Championship play-off final, May 29, 2000: Barnsley 2 Ipswich Town 4

Darren Barnard was left to rue a costly penalty miss as Dave Bassett’s Reds saw their Premier League dreams dashed by Ipswich Town.

The Tractor Boys survived a late attack of nerves to climb back into the top-flight for the first time since 1995.

Town had goalkeeper Richard Wright to thank as they came from a goal down to make it fifth time lucky at Wembley, with defeat tough on two-goal Craig Hignett.

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Wright produced a stunning save in the dying seconds to deny Barnsley an equaliser, having earlier saved Barnard’s spot-kick.

Just six minutes were on the clock when Hignett picked the ball up 35 yards out and struck a dipping shot that crashed off the bar and into the net off Wright for a memorable 21st goal of the season.

Ipswich drew level from the most unlikely source on 26 minutes when veteran defender, Redcar-born Tony Mowbray - making the 673rd appearance of his career - rose at the far post to power a header past Kevin Miller.

A game-changing moment arrived moments before the break when the Reds were awarded a penalty after Wright felled Hignett.

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But Wright redeemed himself by guessing right to palm away Barnard’s effort.

Another Yorkshire-born player in Leeds fan Richard Naylor, on as a sub for the injured David Johnson, put the East Anglians ahead five minutes after the break.

Marcus Stewart flicked on Wright’s long goal-kick and Naylor pounced.

Stewart then made it three with a firm header from Jamie Clapham’s cross and despite Hignett bagging his second, this time with a successful Reds penalty with seven minutes to go, Ipswich added a late fourth through Martijn Reuser.