Mick McCarthy has fond memories of his years with hometown club Barnsley, not least the time he spent with his "mentor" Norman Rimmington, who is still working for the Tykes at 90 years of age.

Locally-born Rimmington was a goalkeeper at Oakwell in the 1940s and after spells with Hartlepool and Denaby United returned to the club as a coach and has subsequently worked there as kitman, groundsman, physio and even caretaker-manager.

McCarthy says he always meets up with him when back at Barnsley: “Rimmo’s still there, I’m looking forward to seeing him, he was 90 in November and is still doing the kit.

“He’s been there about 70 years, he was the physio when I was there, he used to put a great big lamp on you. Not sure it did any good but he used to put it on you.

“Rimmo did all that, he’s been the groundsman, I don’t know if he’s managed at some stage, he’s certainly been the first-team coach and he was a goalkeeper in his pomp.

“But he was definitely my mentor as an apprentice, as a 16-year-old. He’s fabulous, I owe him a lot of my career. He’s a great guy. He’s the first person I seek out at Oakwell, I go find him and have a brew with him.”

Speaking in an interview with the Barnsley official site, Rimmington says he always knew McCarthy would make it and the Town boss believes he played a significant role in making that happen.

“It’s easy when people say that when somebody has gone on and made it but I guess he did because he filled me full of confidence and encouraged me and made me feel as though I was going to be a player,” McCarthy said.

“I had no doubts at Barnsley, I thought I was going to be an apprentice for two years, sign pro at 18, get in the first team and leave and go somewhere else, and that’s just what I did.

“I think he helped give me that, he encouraged me all the time. And he was just brilliant. Loved listening to his stories.

“He was the groundsman and used to divot the pitch on a Monday morning and I was the head apprentice and it was me that got it in the ear if it wasn’t done properly.

“Just a great football man, and has still got his eye for players. I still ring him and seek his advice if he’s seen one.”

He recalls being proud to make his Barnsley debut: “I was 18, it meant everything to me at the time, and even more so that everybody had been telling me that I’d never make a footballer.

“It was like one in the eye to one or two of them and then 272 games later [even more so]. I had the best of times.

“I had a great time at every club I played at but, of course, Barnsley I grew up there as an apprentice, cleaning the bogs, sweeping the terraces and doing the boots.”

He particularly remembers one of those who said he wouldn’t make it: “The real pertinent one that sticks in my mind was when I’d just signed, one of my old teachers.

“I think I went back to school that summer, I used to go to the canoeing, abseiling or whatever, and he asked me what I was doing for a job and I said I’d signed on at Barnsley as a player. ‘You’ll never make a footballer!’. That was real encouragement!

“But to his credit, when I went back having made it as a player, there was nobody more delighted for him than he was."

Photo: Action Images

Gobbs69 added 08:46 - Feb 7 I've had massive respect for Barnsley ever since the play-off final with them. Their fans were brilliant to us.
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OldKingColey added 09:44 - Feb 7 Well said Gobbs, great banter on the tube on the way to Wembley with them. After the game two dirty great Barnsley fans approached me and a mate looking quite menacing but all they done was shake us by the hand and wish us luck in the Prem. Top set of fans, not bad for northerners!!
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yorksblue added 12:05 - Feb 7 The old boy was on local tv recently. A very spritely 90 year old and a top bloke. Did my assessor aaward training stewards at oakwell. Good place to learn the ropes and nice club too.
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