Blues boss Mick McCarthy has revealed that he was a big fan of today’s opponents Leeds United as a boy growing up in Barnsley.

He says he never saw the Tykes and Whites as rivals during his childhood: “We were in the Fourth Division and Leeds were rampaging through Europe and doing all that stuff!

“I was a Leeds fan - Gary Sprake, Paul Reaney, Terry Cooper, Norman Hunter, Jack Charlton, Lorimer, Gray, Giles, Bremner, Clarke, Jones, Madeley. That was the team, that was my team, 67/68 when I was just a young boy.

“I was always a Barnsley fan, but Leeds were the top team and they were in Yorkshire. But I’m not a fan any more.”

Did he dream of playing for them? “Oh yes, blooming heck, yes! When I was at Barnsley, I had ambitions as a kid. There was a programme on and they were showing them training. Don Revie was the manager and Leeds were the top team.

"They were the best side. I seem to go everywhere else bar Yorkshire for my living, except Barnsley.”

McCarthy’s assistant Terry Connor is from Leeds, supports his hometown club and played for them between 1979 and 1983.

The Blues boss said he crossed swords with his future assistant when he was at Elland Road: “I played against him when he was at Leeds, Terry. He still has the marks apparently.”

In addition to McCarthy and Connor, Town fitness coach Andy Liddell is from Leeds and also supports the club, his father Gary having played for the Elland Road outfit.

Photo: Action Images

townietilidie added 06:13 - Dec 15 Don't worry Mick we won't hold it against you . We forgive you . COYB !!!
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yorksblue added 08:06 - Dec 15 Up here,people from Barnsley are referred to as" Dingles" in ref to the Emmerdale characters. If you ever get to Barnsley, you'll see why. New song in the making - There's only one Suffolk Dingle.
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runningout added 09:15 - Dec 15 Spot blooming on there!... this years game at Oakwel,l I ventured into Barnsley town centre(well I think it was) to use the cashpoint.... it was like the auditioning area for the Jeremy Kyle Show : )
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PimsOclock added 09:52 - Dec 15 Judging by the pic, it would seem Badly Drawn Boy is a Mick McCarthy fan!
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clint_eastwood added 11:24 - Dec 15 Noooooooo!!!!.......Not dirty Leeds!!!
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blueandred added 14:48 - Dec 15 Long live the stereotypes! Barnsley is a cracking little town with a nightlife that is second to none. I was born there and visit relations there regularly and it's as friendly and welcoming place as you will find anywhere.
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