FRANK BARTLETT

These two chaps skipping their way down the Barnsley pitch side include Frank Bartlett (left), a local lad who played for the Tykes in the early 1950s.

The team photo, below, is from 1953-4 ,when he made his debut and he was still in the first team in 1962/3 (front right). Overall Frank played 325 times and scored 80 goals. Born in Chester-Le-Street in 1930, he was one of seven children. He played in local side Kimblesworth in Durham and for Blackhall Colliery, before arriving at Oakwell in 1950. His career was interfered with by National Service, but he soon opened his account on March 7th 1953 against Yorkshire rivals Leeds United, scoring in a 2-2 draw.

You might wonder where this is coming from, well Barnsley Market! I was there today doing a bit of specialist shopping when I found a bookstall with many football books on sale. I grabbed one, "1001 Football Moments" (which didn't feature Frank Bartlett) but did feature his grand daughter who was selling the books. I bought the book for £3! Bargain!!

Frank enjoyed a successful FA Cup run in 1960-61 when Barnsley, then in the old Third Division, reached the 6th Round Proper. He scored 4 goals in the campaign and enjoyed victories over Gateshead (replay needed), Bradford City, Reading (replay needed), Huddersfield Town (with England World Cup full-back Ray Wilson in the Town team... replay needed! with over 44,000 in the crowd),  Luton Town (who had been to the Cup Final in 1959) and eventually a defeat against Leicester City, (lost in replay understandably, with Gordon Banks in the Leicester side). Barnsley played 10 cup ties in that season.

Leicester eventually got to the Final and lost to the Double Winners, Tottenham Hotspur.
In Division 3, the Tykes came 8th. You need to see this video!
https://vimeo.com/82980664

As a result of the magnificent cup run, Barnsley were awarded the Sunday Pictorial Giant Killers Cup. The trophy was awarded to Duncan Sharp, at a formal banquet at the Royal Hotel in town. Duncan, a Barnsley stalwart, was captain, and I met him when he took his daily constitutional walk past our house, when we first moved to our present address in Carlecotes. Duncan was a local footballing hero who sadly died a few years ago.

After 10 seasons Frank moved on to Halifax Town, Goole Town and Kexborough Rovers, dropping down the "pyramid".

Those Tykes whom you might know?
Danny Blanchflower, Georgi Hristov, Gerry Taggart, Arthur Kaye (was regarded as the next best thing after Stanley Matthews and hence was sold to Blackpool), David Hirst, Mick McCarthy, Ronnie Glavin....the list goes on......