PORTSMOUTH v BARNSLEY NPower Championship, 15 October 2011 at Fratton Park Link to BBC Sport Prieview: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15226238.stm Last season: 19 February 2011, Championship Pompey 1-0 Barnsley Who are Ya? (some of this information is courtesy of wikipedia) Formed in 1887, as Barnsley St Peter, The Tykes have been at their Oakwell home since 1888. They reached the FA Cup Final on two occasions, both before the Great War, with a win and a loss; both finals going to replays. They came close to promotion to the top flight in 1922, but missed out narrowly on Goal Average. After three brief relegations to Division 3 North, either side of World War Two, they found themselves relegated to the Third Division once more in 1959. This time they would spend 22 years in the lower leagues before eventually gaining promotion to the Second Division in 1981. Since then they have spent just five seasons outside the 2nd tier; one of which (1997-98) was spent in the Premier League. Highest League finish: 19th Premier League 1998 Lowest League finish: 16th Fourth Division [League Two] 1966 & 1967 Honours: FA Cup Winners 1912, Runners Up 1910 2nd Tier [Championship] Runners Up 1997 3rd Tier [League One] Champions 1934, 1939, 1955 (as Div 3 North); Runners Up 1981, Play-Off winners 2006. 4th Tier [League Two] Runners Up 1968, 4th (promoted) 1979 Yesteryear 9 September 1961, Third Division [League One] Portsmouth 3-2 Barnsley 50 seasons ago saw the first meeting at third tier level between the two sides. Pompey would go on the win the Third Division title, while a last day win against Torquay would see the Tykes stay up – at the Gulls’ expense! Barnsley League finish: 5 years ago (2006-07): Championship 20th 10 years ago (2001-02): Div 1 [Championship] 23rd - Relegated 15 years ago (1996-97): Div 1 [Championship] 2nd - Promoted 20 years ago (1991-92): Second Division [Championship] 16th 25 years ago (1986-87): Second Division [Championship] 11th Random Fact: Barnsley have spent more seasons in the second tier of English football than any other club Current odds (Thursday Lunchtime) from SkyBet POMPEY: 11/10 BARNSLEY: 3/1 DRAW: 12/5
I know - I'm going to be hoist by my own petard aren't I! However - it's true I'm looking forward to a good win!
