A TRANSFER-LISTED Oakwell legend was the match-winner the last time Barnsley won a league fixture at Sheffield Wednesday. Twenty-three long years ago. Ronnie Glavin was out of favour with manager Norman Hunter – having been criticised for ‘not tracking back and doing his fair share of defensive duties’ – but he came off the substitutes’ bench, replacing Derrick Parker, and poached his 17th goal of the season to earn the Reds a notable 1-0 victory in front of 22,427 fans. In his match report of the old Second Division derby tussle, the then Chronicle Sports Editor Keith Lodge wrote: “It was ample illustration of the sometimes unpalatable truth that intuitive skills can succeed where hard graft and total commitment to the team cause have failed..

“Glavin never has been, and never will be, the sort of player who will run and chase and cover. That’s why you have the likes of McGuire and Ronson in the ranks. “Glavin has always scored goals. And always will. And until a replacement can be found with the same ability to win matches through quality finishing it is difficult to see how the enigmatic Scot can continue to be overlooked.” But since that April 14 Bank Holiday Monday back in 1983, a Hillsborough hoodoo has had Barnsley in its vice-like grip. The Reds have suffered seven successive league defeats at the home of the Owls – in contrast to the meetings between the two clubs at Oakwell, where the Reds have gone six matches without losing. Now it is up to Andy Ritchie’s 2006 brand of Oakwell players to try and end the dismal run of results at Hillsborough. There might not be a better time. Wednesday, who beat Barnsley to League One promotion by a year, are currently propping up the Championship and are struggling to find the net. Paul Sturrock’s Owls have won just one of their 10 league fixtures and have scored six goals, as to Barnsley’s three wins (two away from home) and 15 goals. However, Wednesday’s defensive record is good considering the position they currently find themselves in. They have let in 10 goals from those 10 opening games, while in contrast Barnsley have conceded a whopping 21. The Reds will come face to face with one of their former players tomorrow, Barnsley-born Drew Talbot, who quit football – and the Oakwell Academy – before being enticed back into football by Wednesday. On the other hand, Reds left-back Paul Heckingbottom, who hails from Royston, will be wearing the colours of his hometown team as he returns to face his old club. Some people will try and pass off the Hillsborough derby as just another game. But the majority of fans don’t go along with that. It means much, much more, to players, supporters and management alike..

For example, in the 2001-2002 season Barnsley went to Wednesday on the back of a winless streak stretching six matches – and despite taking an early lead through a Kevin Gallen wonder goal, the Oakwell outfit ultimately put in a dreadful, often spineless display which resulted in a 3-1 defeat. It proved to be the last straw for then chairman John Dennis, who disposed of manager Nigel Spackman the very next day. In the return match at Oakwell that season, Barnsley, under new boss Steve Parkin, got their revenge, as a brace from Mike Sheron and a goal from Chris Morgan swept the Reds to a resounding 3-0 victory in front of the Sky cameras. Roll the years forward, to 2006. Barnsley, having achieved promotion to the Championship via play-off glory, are four points ahead of Wednesday in the table. But they need to take some of their home comforts against the Owls on the road. Do that and they may just end their Hillsborough hell. l Midfield goal-getter Glavin will always be regarded as an Oakwell legend – and did have a spell as Barnsley assistant manager and coach under Gudjon Thordarson. He was also manager at both Emley and Worksop, but left his post with the latter club, by ‘mutual consent’ just last week.