SHARP, SHARPEST KNIFE IN THE BOX.

Duncan Sharp lived in our village. He was an ex-Barnsley footballer, playing between 1953 and 1962 and he was regarded as one of the toughest half backs in the Football League, though he never received any punishment or sending off.

An intelligent man, who had been a pupil at Barnsley Grammar school, he obviously timed his tackles well and never fouled! In those days I think the decision making by refs was a little different compared to today, but nevertheless Duncan was tough but fair.

He joined the Barnsley club from Woolley Colliery FC at 17 years old in 1950. He played against the likes of Stanley Mortenson at Blackpool, John Atyeo of Bristol City and John Charles at Leeds, typically tough nuts to crack. He even sent a youthful Brian Clough to the other side of the pitch in a match against Middlesbrough and by 1960-1 Duncan had his best season, playing 44 times and scoring 10 goals from what would be regarded as a defensive midfield position.

Duncan was the club captain during their famous FA Cup run in 1960-1, when they won through to the quarter-finals as a Third Division side.
They beat Gateshead (then a League side), drawing away and winning at home.
Then in Round 2 won away at Bradford City.
Next, Rd 3, drawing away at Reading and winning in the replay.
Beating Huddersfield away in R4.
Luton at home (the previous year's cup finalists), in R5.

The Tykes eventually lost in the Quarter-Final to Leicester City 2-1, after another draw away and extra time in the replay at Oakwell, before 40,000 supporters.
The Foxes went onto the final where they met the eventual Double Champions, Spurs, losing 2-0.

Duncan's record shows that he had a spell at Bedford Town FC (1962-3) before he retired from the game at a young age of 29. He started his own haulage business and sold the firm in the late 60s, setting himself up in comfort in Carlecotes Hall, with hunting and polo horses, helped by his wife Patricia, their children and grandchildren.

Sharp was fearless on the pitch but learned and quiet off it. We met him often when he would take his constitutional walk through the village and back, smoking a cigar, which we think he was not allowed to indulge in the house! He had never smoked as a player! I would chat to him about the great players of the 1950s and 60s, Matthews, Finney,Wright, which he seemed to enjoy.
He tried to keep himself fit but suffered from the various mental illnesses of old age and sadly died on 27th October 2016. His funeral is on November 22nd at 11am in Cawthorne. He was 83.