As far as I am aware Barnsley.F.C.have always been known as The Tykes but I remember in 1912 or 13 we were Drawn away at Arsenal,my old Dad took me to the match and we were behind one of the goals where some supporters had a banner saying something like “Up the Colliers” And a couple of them had miners lamps with them and were testing for gas between the goal posts.So maybe that was where the Colliers name came from but we were always called The Tykes because my Dad told me and he went to school in Barnsley before the First World War.(Although he was born in Lancashire as was my Mum so I haven’t got a drop of Yorkshire blood in my body but I am still a Tyke)
Yes - you should always support your local club - because it’s not just about football - a successful football club has a positive impact on the community.
For example - when Sheffield United last got promotion to the Premier - the impact of that saw £££millions pour into Sheffield City creating countless number of jobs in that city.
BBC Radio Sheffield were reporting this at the time.
So then - a guy from Barnsley with 3 kids that are wanting jobs - but he supports Sheffield United has assisted in a small way of creating jobs in the middle of Sheffield - but not where he lives in Barnsley.
There are literally 1000s upon 1000s of guys like this living in Barnsley that have no connection whatsoever with Leeds or the Sheffield clubs but choose to support those clubs.
IMO - that’s wrong. They should support their local club and by doing so support their local community.
In saying that - the Barnsley District is immediately surrounded by other large towns and cities. Some of the people living in places on the edges of these towns and cities see Barnsley as their local town.
For example - my mother is from Brampton and went to the catholic school in Wath - her family and people around there see Barnsley as their local town.
If they say they are going into town - they mean Barnsley even though they live in the Rotherham District.
You can buy the Barnsley Chronicle in newsagents in Wath.
This applies to other places such as Stocksbridge, Denby Dale, Hemsworth, South Kirkby etc etc.
As for people from Rossington now living in Sprotborough (posh) they should support Donny.
I have a cousin - born in the same bed as me in the Dearne Valley - but from an early age lived in High Melton and now Cadeby - who is a Sheffield United fan - I say to him he should support Doncaster where he was brought up.
Welcome,its great to have a supporter from the USA and would be even better if you could come over to Barnsley sometime but don’t make it too far in the future I am getting very close to my 82nd birthday.Did you know there is a small town or village in the USA called Barnsley? I forget just where it is but there was a coalmine there so it could have been coal miners from our Barnsley that started it off.
Try Hopkins County Kentucky.