A year ago today

[ClaretTony]

Anyone remember it?

Barnes and the Keeper.jpg (548.41 KiB) Viewed 2738 times

[beddie]

No idea, what happened I know a lot of supporters were not that keen on Ashley but for me he was one of those players whilst not being the most skilful gave everything he had to the cause. A brilliant signing for us.

[Anonymous Claret]

What a day!

Along with Spurs in the 08-09 semi final of the League Cup, after the first goal went in that was the best atmosphere I have experienced on the Turf. It was electric.

[CoolClaret]

Flown by that

What a brilliant day that was!

[gawthorpe_view]

The 'Annas Zaroury' song after the second goal was probably heard in Darwen.

[BurnleyFC]

No idea, what happened I know a lot of supporters were not that keen on Ashley but for me he was one of those players whilst not being the most skilful gave everything he had to the cause. A brilliant signing for us.

Serious question - which Burnley fans weren’t that keen on Barnes in his time with the club?

Like all players as they get older they lose a bit of sharpness, perhaps written off too early, but overall he was superb and an absolute legend for us.

[Vino blanco]

I was one of those who at the beginning of last season, after the first half dozen matches, who said it was time for Barnes to move on after being a wonderful servant to the club.
After his rebirth agsinst the bastards at home one year ago, he was a changed man and epitomised all the right things about the team. He became exactly what we don't have now...a will to win, happy to put his body on the line, but above all a leader of men.

[beddie]

Serious question - which Burnley fans weren’t that keen on Barnes in his time with the club?

Like all players as they get older they lose a bit of sharpness, perhaps written off too early, but overall he was superb and an absolute legend for us.

We had a lot of moaners near us in the Longside Lower. I remember one game when I was shouting for Weghorst to be subbed for Ashley and one guy stood up a few rows in front and starting laughing at me saying, “Barnes” he’s f——— shite and you’re talking shite”. I got lucky though because a couple of big lads over to one side then stood up and told the guy mouthing off to sit down or they’d come and sit him down. Last season with the way we were playing I didn’t hear any mouthing off even from the guy who had previously aimed his comments at me.

[JLR81]

shoving the keeper into the net gets funnier with every watch

[Dark Cloud]

The 'Annas Zaroury' song after the second goal was probably heard in Darwen.

The "Anna's Zaroury" song ringing round the Bridge Beer House about an hour after the game finished was probably still resonating in Darwen!

[Since62]

Agree with Vino, players always come and go and supporters have their favourites but when Ashley left it did feel like the end of an era. We really need one or two of the new recruits to step up and connect with the fans.

[ClaretTony]

Ashley Barnes - in January 2014 he looked like an underwhelming signing from Brighton, coming in really as no more than backup for Danny Ings and Sam Vokes. Nine and a half years and almost 300 appearances later, he was anything but underwhelming. Players come, players go but I think we are missing him.

[Leisure]

Ashley Barnes - in January 2014 he looked like an underwhelming signing from Brighton, coming in really as no more than backup for Danny Ings and Sam Vokes. Nine and a half years and almost 300 appearances later, he was anything but underwhelming. Players come, players go but I think we are missing him.

He would certainly be preferable to Jay at the minute.

[NottsClaret]

I remember waiting for team news pre-match, watching the cricket on the big screen, and most people were disappointed Jay Rod was out and Barnes would be starting. Then he turned in one of his best performances for us and established his 'legend' status.

I told the kids after that seeing them being born had just been nudged down a place on the 'greatest day of my life' list. They were cool with it.

[Goobs]

I remember waiting for team news pre-match, watching the cricket on the big screen, and most people were disappointed Jay Rod was out and Barnes would be starting. Then he turned in one of his best performances for us and established his 'legend' status.

I told the kids after that seeing them being born had just been nudged down a place on the 'greatest day of my life' list. They were cool with it.

Strangely we had the opposite sort of thought. We thought it was just the right sort of game for Barnes to be involved in and hoped his extra fight and desire to win the derby (strange considering Jay being homegrown) would possibly help us with a slight edge.

Never for 1 second though did we see that level of performance coming from either him or the team.

[IPAclaret]

The sight of the once arrogant b'turds in the CFS utterly dejected and silent knowing full well they'd been completely outclassed made our beer session after the match even better, if that was possible.

Part of me still wishes we'd have put more past them, I honestly think we let them off the hook.

UTC

[Loyalclaret]

I remember waiting for team news pre-match, watching the cricket on the big screen, and most people were disappointed Jay Rod was out and Barnes would be starting. Then he turned in one of his best performances for us and established his 'legend' status.

Can remember that feeling, stood looking at the team in a pub in Burnley Wood - we were worried.

He will never be forgotten in this town after that performance.

[bodge]

His interview after the game ensured he will be part of Burnley folklore, in addition to his performance that day

[Rowls]

What a fantastic day to be a Claret.

Forever grateful to everybody wearing the shirt that day but Barnes was immense.

[claptrappers_union]

I remember waiting for team news pre-match, watching the cricket on the big screen, and most people were disappointed Jay Rod was out and Barnes would be starting. Then he turned in one of his best performances for us and established his 'legend' status.

This. It wasn't in the script for an over-the-hill, unfashionable forward to come in for the local hero and to totally tear Blackburn apart.

The goals
Pushing the keeper into the net
The standing ovation as he was subbed off
The Bench's reaction to the MOTM announcement
The ‘bastards’ comment post-match

Legendary

[BradTee93]

The sight of the once arrogant b'turds in the CFS utterly dejected and silent knowing full well they'd been completely outclassed made our beer session after the match even better, if that was possible.

Part of me still wishes we'd have put more past them, I honestly think we let them off the hook.

UTC

Same here! Thats my only regret from that day was the final score, that was the chance to avenge the 5-0 & like you said we let them off the hook.

Although the video of the whole Turf going "Your f*cking s*it" is priceless!

[KRBFC]

I think Barnes himself would admit he wasn’t playing well at the start of last season so those writing him off were justified, he turned it around though and was a brilliant leader, I said last season I’d have given him another year and tried to shift on Jay Rod.

still think we miss Barnes and we’re short on strikers, bring him home in January.

[Eli&Conroy]

Massive fan of Barnes. I think it was a mistake to let him to. His personality both on and off the pitch would surely have helped bring on some of the younger / inexperienced players. For me, a lot of his off the ball work was very much under appreciated particularly when defending and attacking at set plays and corners. Something we are dreadfully short of at the moment. Very much a master of the dark arts.

[jedi_master]

Felt it was a big mistake to let him go considering the state of our strikeforce at the end of last season and so it has proven. He would walk into our team at the moment (if he was fit) and would certainly be the type to keep the squads chins up.

[Quicknick]

No idea, what happened I know a lot of supporters were not that keen on Ashley but for me he was one of those players whilst not being the most skilful gave everything he had to the cause. A brilliant signing for us.

I think he was skillful. Two-footed, great first touch, good passer.

[ClaretTony]

Felt it was a big mistake to let him go considering the state of our strikeforce at the end of last season and so it has proven. He would walk into our team at the moment (if he was fit) and would certainly be the type to keep the squads chins up.

Exactly why I think he should still be here

[bfcmik]

No idea, what happened I know a lot of supporters were not that keen on Ashley but for me he was one of those players whilst not being the most skilful gave everything he had to the cause. A brilliant signing for us.

At half time up at Sunderland people were relieved to see him subbed off he was so bad. In his Town Hall balcony interview he said himself that he had wondered if it was time to hang up his boots because he was so far off it.