Barnsley were handed the FA Cup draw of their and us fans dreams with a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool - seven time winners of the competition!
Anfield is now likely to be packed with Reds fans who will be dreaming of a repeat success of the famous 1-0 Premier League win at Anfield in 1997.
It is the first time Barnsley have drawn Premier League opposition in the FA Cup since Tottenham Hotspur came to Oakwell in 1999 in the Quarter-Finals and a superb solo goal from David Ginola was enough to ensure Spurs progression. Ironically that year was also the last time The Reds made it beyond the Third Round before this campaign.
The last time one of the "Big Four" entertained Barnsley was Manchester United at this Fifth Round stage in 1998 when The Reds secured a famous victory in an Oakwell replay, but even that didn't capture the imagination this tie should as both United and Barnsley were in the same league that year and played each other four times that season.
This will be the sixth time Liverpool and Barnsley will have met in the FA Cup with the earliest being as far back as 1895, just eight years after Barnsley was formed and when the club was still called Barnsley St Peters. Liverpool triumphed 4-0 that day, as they did exactly 100 years later at Oakwell.
In between the sides had FA Cup meetings in 1905 (Lost 1-0 away) and 1914 (drew 1-1 and lost 1-0 away)
Most Barnsley fans of a slightly older generation then myself will fondly remember the two meetings between the sides in the League Cup in 1982. At that time Liverpool were at the height of their powers at home and in Europe. Containing players such as Alan Hansen, Graeme Souness and Kenny Dalglish, they were held 0-0 at Anfield before defeating Barnsley's heroes 3-1 at Oakwell.
Barnsley do have hope however as fellow Championship outfit Burnley knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup in 2005. Worryingly though, their two opponents this year (Luton and Havant and Waterlooville) were both hit for five when they arrived at Anfield….
Still, Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Fernando Torres- you haven't met Brian Howard, Dennis Souza and Daniel Nardiello yet!!!
COME ON YOU REDS!!!!
P.S The tie is scheduled for the weekend of 16th/17th February. If the tie takes place on Saturday 16th February the Championship home game with Queens Park Rangers scheduled for that day will be postponed.
P.P.S The club have announced that if non season ticket holders attend tomorrow's Championship match with Colchester at Oakwell and retain their stubs from the match ticket they will "jump the queue" for Liverpool tickets and be second in line behind season ticket holders.
From
www.barnsleyfc.co.uk:BARNSLEY supporters attending tomorrow night's match with Colchester United are advised to keep hold of their ticket stubs to get priority booking for our FA Cup clash at Liverpool.
Full ticketing arrangements for the game at Anfield will be confirmed at the earliest possible opportunity but supporters who attend tomorrow's Coca Cola Championship clash with Colchester (January 29, 2008) will be able to book their tickets after they go on sale to season ticket holders and prior to them going on general sale, subject to availability.
The Reds expect to be able to confirm ticketing arrangements within the next seven days.
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