A LICK OF PAINT

Barnsley town centre will be empty today, Oxford will be full of tourists and students. Football fans from the two towns are making a day of it at Wembley. The Tykes supporters, venturing out of their comfort zone, are heading south in their thousands. The Johnstones Paint Trophy is a very good excuse for successful smaller clubs to have their day out.

I am going to Wembley today. The sun is up, it looks like it might be a cracking Spring day and it will be a perfect experience, win or not.

Barnsley have had a terrific run of form under Paul Heckingbottom's guidance in Division One and Oxford are in the top handful in Division Two. 

There is a recent blog on Oxford United and there are some references about Barnsley too. After one season as the Associate Members' Cup, Freight Rover sponsored this splendid competition from 1984-7. It then was over to Sherpa Vans to support the Trophy until 1989, the. Leyland DAF Cup until 1991, Autoglass for three years, Auto Windscreens Shield through to 2000 and finally LDV Vans until 2006.

The 1984 final was not played at Wembley due to damage caused to the pitch by the Horse of the Year Show, so it was moved to Boothferry Park, Hull City, and they lost to Harry Redknapp's Bournemouth.

In 1987 the final was decided by penalties, the first time this happened at Wembley when Mansfield defeated Bristol City.

In 1995 Birmingham City beat Carlisle by the stadium's first "golden goal". 

Well known Barnsley players to have trod the turf in these finals include, Wayne Biggins, Rory Delap, Andy Liddell and Martin Bullock. 

Many other famous players have played in this final including Joe Jordan, Shaun Goater, Tim Cahill, Steve Bull, Phil Leal and Ricky Lambert. 

We are in for a super day!