Proud Barnsley chairman Watkins has eyes on repeat Wembley visit

Maurice Watkins has – while also sampling plenty more delectable moments at the home of football over the years.

A director of Manchester United for 28 years from 1984 to 2012 and also a board member of the club’s PLC between 1991 and 2004, the current Barnsley chairman has seen it, done it and got the equivalent of the Wembley 
t-shirt.

Despite his familiarity with its fixtures and fittings, attendance in his current capacity at Oakwell in Sunday’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final will be an an an extra-special proud moment for the Mancunian.

Watkins is an esteemed figure not just in footballing spheres, but also the wider sporting realm – his extensive roles include current chair of British Swimming, the Rugby League European Federation and being a director of Lancashire CCC, among others.

He readily admits to boyish delight in donning his boots at Wembley in the dim and distant past for Manchester United non-playing staff sides in friendly matches there – and the sensation of a cup final victory if Barnsley beat Oxford United would represent a rich addition to his medley of memories there.

“I will be very proud going there as Barnsley chairman, although I am already very proud that we have got there – the JPT is not an easy competition,” he said.

“The team, after a difficult beginning, have shown mettle, enthusiasm and that they can play a little bit.

“It is a fantastic occasion that you look forward to and you want to make the best of the day. It is a wonderful opportunity.

“Competitions like these are well supported and keenly fought and it spreads the opportunity of playing at the ‘Mecca’.

“We still have the possibility of getting in the play-offs and who knows, we might go there again. If we do, it will be an excellent year.”

On his countless memories with United, he added: “I have been a few times with United successful in the FA Cup and Charity Shield and we also went in the Champions League.

“I also played three times there with United’s club and ground non-playing staff side and they were three great occasions, although there weren’t as many spectators there for a final.

“On the third occasion, the number of spectators increased dramatically towards the end and I wondered if news had got out that we were playing or maybe people were coming to watch the greyhound racing afterwards!”

As Watkins can attest, given his first recollection of Wembley, it is much better to be reflecting on a victory rather than a loss there – even accounting for the fact that he witnessed one of the greatest-ever cup finals staged at the revered venue almost 37 years ago.

“My first recollection of going to Wembley was in 1979 when I was doing legal work for Manchester United, but not yet on the board,” he added. “We played Arsenal and lost in the last few minutes.

“Frank Stapleton scored and a few years later, I was involved in his transfer from Arsenal to United. My real recollection is having an invitation to the after-match meal and party and for some time, I couldn’t find the room where everybody was because there was silence and no-one spoke.

“That just indicated to me how serious that going to Wembley is – moreso if you don’t win.

“But there’s no substitute for going to Wembley – just walking out on the pitch and looking up and seeing everybody there...

“In the old days with the old changing rooms, it was quite a long walk from where you were sitting and walking around after the game and spotting a few people you know is lovely. And there’s nothing like a winning dressing room.”

A winning mentality is something that has been spectacularly fostered this calendar year at Barnsley, whose current form – and perhaps mindset – is the polar opposite to some seriously dark moments in the autumn and early winter.

Amid the Reds’ demoralising club record-equalling run of eight successive league defeats, the board brought in well-respected sports psychologist Bill Beswick to examine issues of confidence, attitude and character among players.

While the input of Beswick, who worked with Steve McClaren during his time with England, is far from the main reason for the Reds’ upturn, it has played its part according to Watkins.

Watkins said: “I do quite a lot of work with Bill with the swimming and he has been very helpful to some younger athletes.

“I like to think he’s had (an impact). He came along and spoke to the players and Lee Johnson. He was very complimentary about the Barnsley set-up.”