Quote Originally Posted by ramAnag View Post
I know nothing about 1912 and Arsenal being preferred to Barnsley, Gunter, and it may well be that you have a case...but it was 108 years ago!
As for Barnsley being every other club’s ‘second favourite team’ when they were in the Premiership, I don’t think they were being ‘patronised’.
Don’t you think it was the same for Bradford City and Oldham Athletic during their halcyon days? They’re just three relatively poor - as in lack of wealth not skill - northern sides who surpassed expectation and people wanted to see do well.
I hope you stay up, you deserve to, but I seriously don’t think you’re ‘mocked and reviled’...well not as much as Forest and Leeds.


I think much of it is down to perspective, ramAnag. Supporters tend to dig up events from the past to justify their belief they are singled out for unfair treatment. But Arsenal have never been out of the top flight since 1912 so it sticks in the throat even more. Oldham almost became part of the furniture in Division One...weren't they there for thre years? (I think it was before the PremierLeague) so they received some respect even though the town itself is the biggest ***hole you can imagine. Bradford City were looked upon as a welcome addition to the big boys (okay, Everton, Watford, etc). Dennis Wise and Mark Lawrenson regularly ridiculed Barnsley although I've never particularly valued those two's opinion anyway.

Leeds...despised? Surely not. As for Forest, I'm delighted they didn't quite make the play-offs. The way some of their fans reacted to losing at Oakwell was childish and foul-mouthed, and I hoped the club are docked enough points to ensure we stay up, Wigan or no Wigan!