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Another quiet week saw little to rouse Fairway from the managerial routine until Wednesday evening - when the Reserves took on Grimsby at Blundell Park. It was something of a smash and grab raid in the home of the fishing fleets - Chaz Wrigley and an injury time Neil Higgins goal earning a somewhat fortunate 2-1 victory.
Barnsley v Accrington Stanley - 17.3.07 - League Two
Fairway would leave his side unchanged for the visit of relegation-threatened Stanley - and saw them take an early lead on 18 after Wroe crossed for the late-arriving Chris Shuker to stab home at the far post. The Tykes added a second on 37 - Richards' cross hit goalwards by Wroe, with Nardiello finishing off from close range at the second attempt. Cruising at the break, Fairway left his team unchanged while Stanley improved early in the second period, coming close through a long range Cattermole effort. On 70, Heslop and Wrigley made appearances - replacing Wroe and Richards, but on 82, were forced into a third change when Shuker limped off to be replaced by Kell. 4 minutes of added time passed without incident - and Barnsley, always in control, held on for another home win, their 13th of the season.
Chris Shuker's injury would be confirmed as bruised ribs on Saturday evening - with the midfield man ruled out for a fortnight. It would be a blow to Fairway - Shuker his only ever-present so far this season. Elsewhere, Paul Heckingbottom would also be out for a week, having picked up a cold and being sent home by the medical team to rest.
Carlisle , meanwhile, returned to winning ways in style - a 6-0 thumping of Wycombe showing that the Cumbrians were still very much involved in the promotion race.
On Monday, Barnsley's injury woes would strike again - Brian Howard ruled out for up to a month with a groin strain, after Fairway turned down the offer from his physios of painkilling injections for the left winger. With the majority of the season gone - and, whisper it quietly, Barnsley practically assured of promotion, the manager felt it was a risk that he was not willing to take.
Wednesday would see news of benefit to midfielder Johannes Djourou - the Arsenal loanee set to miss Saturday's match with a callup to the Switzerland Under 21 side against Malta - and whilst Fairway congratulated the young midfielder, it did leave him wondering quite what sort of side would be able to travel to Mansfield on Saturday.
A 1-1 draw for the second string against Colchester on Wednesday evening saw a much improved performance. Chaz Wrigley again scored for the Tykes, with Fairway and Andy Porter both very much agreed that the young striker is a player of some potential. Porter's insight, perhaps, the reason that landed him the post of Youth Coach at Oakwell.
Friday saw Johannes Djourou in action for the Switzerland Under 21's. As expected, they romped to a 4-0 win over Malta's youngsters - Djourou getting 90 minutes at the heart of the defence.
Mansfield Town v Barnsley - 24.3.07 - League Two
With Barnsley down to the bare bones, Fairway brought Vaughan and Devaney onto the bench, with Neil Higgins and Simon Heslop earning starting berths on the flanks - Adam El-Abd replacing Morais, who pushed into Djourou's midfield role, at the back. Despite the changes, it was still an important game for the Tykes - a win would see them assured of at least a spot in the playoffs, and a possible 15 point gap between themselves and those playoff places. With that in mind, a good start was essential - and on 12, Higgins floated a free kick to the far post for Richards to head home. Richards added a second from close range on 22, and the away end party was already beginning, despite wet and windy weather at Field Mill. At the break Fairway introduced Kell for Wroe, the latter on a booking, before the Stags pulled one back on 53 when ex-Tyke Alex Neil found Birchill in a good position to slot past Ubbergen. Nardiello's cross then found Richards for his hatrick on the hour - a close-range header - and once again, the wind was back beneath Barnsley's wings. A fine stop at the death from Pressman denied man of the moment Richards a fourth - but the victory had been wrapped up long before then.
Mansfield 1 - Barnsley 3
Attendance; 4425
Barnsley League Position; 1st (Playoff Place Assured)
As expected, Barnsley's victory did guarentee them a playoff place after the game - with Fairway knowing that just five points from the remaining six games would be enough to crown his side as Champions.
Walsall had also spotted this, evidently - with Steve Burr's dismissal from the playoff-chasing League One side on Saturday evening, Fairway was immediatley installed as favourite to take the role. For Saddlers fans, his response was negative - stating 'No Interest' in the job when asked by a local journalist in the aftermath of the Tykes' victory at Mansfield.
England , meanwhile, needed a late David Beckham penalty to round off his brace and complete a 2-1 win over Ukraine . With much media interest on the two newcomers to the squad - Joey Barton and Gary O'Neil - it was perhaps inevitable that both had a bit part role. Barton looked useful when playing the first 66 minutes before his replacement, whilst Pompey's O'Neil didn't make the bench. Sven-Goran Eriksson had a win in his final match - the Swede announcing his intention to retire at the end of the English season, FA Cup Final Day, a month previously.
On Sunday the gossip-mongerers - as Mick Halsall was appointed as Walsall boss - linked Fairway with another job - that of Dario Gradi at Crewe . Legend Gradi, 65, took early retirement with his side in trouble at the foot of League One, and, again, Fairway was named as the hot favourite for the job. Again, he denied interest - "Why would I want to leave a club who will most probably play in League One next season for one who quite probably won't?" was his simple answer.
Wednesday - another reserve match, another Chaz Wrigley goal - a 1-1 draw against Hinckley seeing the striker continue his rise in the estimations of Tykes supporters. Meanwhile, back at Oakwell, Chris Shuker would resume training after being given the go-ahead earlier than expected after his rib injury.
Barnsley v Rochdale - 28.3.07 - League Two
The big day, here at last. Fairway left his side unchanged for the visit of Rochdale - one in which a point could see Barnsley become the first club in English senior football this season to secure automatic promotion. All it would take was a victory or a draw for the Tykes and anything but a win for fourth placed Carlisle United, at home to Accrington. It would be no easy task though - Rochdale lay third in League Two, whilst Carlisle's opponents, Stanley, are fighting for their lives at the foot of the table. The party atmosphere at Oakwell got started early - on 2 minutes, a long ball forward found Nardiello, who left marker Lambert for dead - taking the ball into the box, before squaring for Wroe to net at the far post. A second followed on 18 in equally calamitous circumstances for the visitors - Koo-Boothe dwelt on the ball on the edge of his own box, only to be robbed by Richards , who slotted past the advancing 'keeper with accuracy. After Chris Dagnall had been dismissed for Dale on 26, Morais then headed a third on 32. On the stroke of half time however, Rochdale reminded expectant home fans - and players - that there was still a game to be won - Lambert thundering home a free kick into the roof of the net, leaving Ubbergen clutching at thin air. Fairway replaced Nardiello, suffering a knock, with Wrigley at the break, reminding his side to keep their performance up - but on 57, they got another scare - Hamilton ghosting in to add Rochdale's second at the near post. 10 minutes later however, Richards netted the fourth - a thunderous drive to claim his 15th of the season - as Fairway changed his personell again, with El-Abd and Higgins introduced for skipper Kay and a tiring Shuker. In fact, it was turning into a real ding-dong battle - Hamilton netted again for Rochdale on 76, and on 82, Blair Sturrock tapped in from close range to level the scores at 4 each. There would no more - the final whistle sounding to applause from both sets of fans for a tremendous battle - and then, hushed expectation and hope. They were waiting - and eventually, word arrived. Accrington had won - 1-0 - but a win for 5th placed Darlington, almost forgotten about in the mathematical debate, meant that the promotion party would have to go on hold for another week.
As well as the disapointment of not securing promotion in March, the Tykes would also miss out on that 'First to be promoted' tag - that going to Southampton , who's victory at home to Plymouth sealed their promotion back into the Premiership.
Fairway picked up the Manager of the Month award on Sunday - his third since arriving at Oakwell - whilst striker Daniel Nardiello showed little sign of the knock which forced him to be withdrawn against Rochdale in a light training session. Sunday would also see Nottingham Forest lift the Johnstone's Paint Trophy after a penalty shootout win over Crewe Alexandra , who officially announced - although he had no input into the team for the showpiece - Terry Brown as their new manager ahead of kickoff.
On Tuesday young midfielder Kevin Foster would be ruled out for a week with a stubbed toe. The injury had come at exactly the wrong time for the right-sided teenager - with Fairway telling him, and striker James Butler , who has also recently turned 17, that he would be deciding on their futures at the end of the month - both now on month-to-month deals at the end of their youth contracts, and looking for their first professional deals.
One youngster who is certainly impressing though is Chaz Wrigley , and another goal for the Reserves - this time the only one in a 1-0 win over Cambridge - did no harm to the 17-year old hitman's cause.
Thursday would see 'keeper Craig Samson ruled out for a couple of weeks with a wrist injury - and while his absence was not a major blow with Joe Hart now at the club, the manager would still address his players before training, urging them to try not to pick up any injuries - mindful of the - very slim - chance that his side could still be involved in the playoffs.
Grimsby Town v Barnsley - 7.4.07 - League Two
With Chaz Wrigley ineligible - having played for the Under 18's in a 3-2 win in the morning - Fairway again brought Martin Devaney into the senior squad for what - with his contract up in the summer - could well be his final Barnsley match day squad appearance. A scrappy opening saw chances for both sides, before, on 25, Barnsley's Nicky Wroe fell on the edge of the area. The visiting fans screamed for a penalty - but the referee would only book the midfield man for diving. It was all a bit scrappy and nervous - Grimsby too seemed to be affected - themselves still floating around towards the top of the table and hopeful of a playoff place - and at half time, Fairway took off the booked Wroe, bringing on young Higgins in a bid to inject some flair into the match. Williams cleared off the line for the visitors on 59, whilst Grimsby duo Woodhouse and Hampshire were linking up well, the latter guilty of wasting chances. On 67 Fairway sacrificed skill for workrate - withdrawing Austin for El-Abd and Heslop for Kell, in a bid to close out the match. Four minutes later, the ball was in the net - with Grimsby's Cohen on the end of a free kick. It was then all hands to the pump for the Tykes - but they could just not find their way through a resolute Darlo back line. Richards had a chance five minutes from time - shaking off a determined defender to meet Shuker's pass, only to screw a shot well wide of goal. It would be a case of wait and see - again.
For the fans, the news would come on the supporters coach on the way home. The players got it a bit sooner - Phil Younghusband scored on 87 and 89 for Darlington , earning them a point at Bury. It was not enough - they had to win. Barnsley were promoted to League One with four games remaining.
Fairway now became a media darling - reports, reviews of the season and interviews galore in the Sunday press. One thing did emerge for definate however - the manager considered his players worthy of League One, telling the Barnsley Chronicle that he had; "No doubt whatsoever that the current crop of players would succed in League One". He was also pleased to recieve a phone call from fellow promotion chasing boss, and Barnsley legend, Neil Redfearn - currently flying high with Conference side Scarborough , congratulating him. Redfearn, who made his name with the Tykes, seemed geniunley delighted when Fairway too praised his abilities - and a lasting friendship was sealed.
Barnsley v Cheltenham Town - 9.4.07 - League Two
It would be quickly back to the grind however after promotion - with Cheltenham visiting Oakwell on Bank Holiday Monday, and determined to spoil what could be a Title-winning party. Fairway made one change to his squad - Devaney off the bench, Chaz Wrigley back on it - and then saw his side wade into a quagmire of a pitch. It was a battle too - Cheltenham, second in the league, were in no mood to mess about, and battled Barnsley for every ball - with Chris Shuker and Marc Richards both forced off injured, for Higgins and Wrigley respectivley, just before the break. Fairway tried to calm his men at the interval - making a third change with El-Abd for Austin - and telling them that they could go out and win it, winning the title at their home venue, in front of expectant fans. They took it to heart - and two minutes after the break, Wrigley's ball found Wroe through the middle, for a thunderous drive into the roof of the net. Cheltenham, a proper footballing team, continued to try and pass their way to success - and although they had a number of chances, on a wet and heavy pitch, the more direct approach of Barnsley seemed to be reaping rewards. On 77 however, it was a passing move which saw Barnsley take the ball from their own penalty box to the goal - six passes, half the team involved - and Nardiello guiding the ball into the net at the far post for his 15th of the season. 4 minutes of injury time couldn't end soon enough - the pitch invasion was next!
Champions - and Fairway's second career title, after Istres last season. The plaudits continued to roll in, but for now, it would be a chance for the players and staff to relax somewhat - the job done with three games to play.
Chris Shuker and Marc Richards would be ruled out through injury after the game - a facial injury ruling Shuker out for a week, whilst Richards picked up a thigh strain, keeping him out for three.
Tuesday, and Brian Howard returned to training after a groin injury - the left winger able to return for the final weeks of the season.
On Friday morning Fairway invited Neil Higgins into his office. Higgins, who had turned 17 two days before, had impressed, and would be offered a 2-year, professional contract to stay at Oakwell. Unfortunatley, there would also be bad news for two of his fellow youth teamers - both Kevin Foster and James Butler were to be released at the end of their youth deals - neither having made a senior start for the club, although Foster did make two substitute appearances.
Leyton Orient v Barnsley - 14.4.07 - League Two
With Richards and Shuker out, Fairway brought Higgins and Wrigley into the side, handing Danny Moore a place on the bench. There would also be non enforced changes - Joe Hart making his bow between the sticks, while Paul Heckingbottom replaced Heslop wide on the left. It took just three minutes for the Tykes to take the lead - a long ball forward flicked beyond the 'keeper by Nardiello, but Wrigley still had work to do to shrug off his marker and reach the ball at the far post, steering it home from close range. The second followed on 23 - Higgins playing an inch-perfect ball to Wroe , who turned on the edge of the area and lashed home his 10th of the season with unnerving accuracy. With the Tykes in command at the break, Fairway replaced Djourou and Nardiello, sending on Kell and Moore to join in - fringe players both, but with the title already won, Fairway was keen to give them match practice. The opening spell of the second half saw Orient come at Barnsley more - Hart busy in goal, whilst skipper Antony Kay was crucial at the back, returning plenty of long balls forward with powerful clearing headers. On 68 though Orient won a free kick, and lofted the ball forward towards Echanomi. It didn't get there - Williams intercepting, his quick lofted pass finding Wrigley, and a second ball into the path of Wroe was fired into the corner to claim a classic counter-attacking goal for the third. Fairway replaced Higgins with Heslop on 83 as Orient continued to be lacklustre as an attacking force - Carcary in particular wasteful - and for a side with playoff ambitions, they will need to perform far better should they reach the crucial knockout games.
On Sunday morning, a delighted Neil Higgins put pen to paper on a 2-Year contract at Barnsley - the young Scot signing his first professional contract after successfully coming through the Oakwell Youth system.
The weekend would also see Chester City become the first club to fall through the trapdoor into the Nationwide Conference - leaving Kidderminster, Peterborough and Accrington fighting it out to avoid being the second club to go down. Their replacements, however, are by no means certain - with two Conference games to go, any two from six could still take the title and automatic promotion, whilst clubs down to 8th position still harboured Playoff ambitions.
By midweek, Stuart Fleetwood and Craig Samson had both returned to training - the former back in light training however, and highly doubtful for Saturday. Meanwhile, a Wednesday reserve victory over Tamworth saw Martin Devaney score again - the winger no doubt hoping to impress any scouts watching, with his Oakwell contract up in the summer and unlikely to be reknewed.
Barnsley v Macclesfield Town - 21.4.07 - League Two
Barnsley's final home match of the season would see Howard return for Heslop on the left in an otherwise unchanged side - Higgins and Hart continuing in the starting eleven. It would also be a home farewell for Johannes Djourou - the Arsenal midfielder, on loan at Oakwell, seemingly not keen to make his move a permanent one, despite his contract up for expiry in the summer. Barnsley battered the Macclesfield goal early on, with Nardiello, Wrigley and Wroe all coming close, visiting 'keeper Montgomery by far the busier of the two. Fairway replaced one teenager in Wrigley with another in Danny Moore at the break as the second half continued in much the same vein - Montgomery denying everything that Barnsley could throw against him - Moore, Higgins, Nardiello, Wroe and Howard all coming close. On 70 further changes saw El-Abd replace Kay and Heslop replace a tiring Wroe in midfield - but still the Tykes could not beat the 'keeper, with Moore's powerful header closest on 77 - tipped over the top. The game would, however, end in cheers - Barnsley, despite only drawing, were still Champions - and the final home match of the season was wrapped up by the traditional lap of honour. The match too had been played in the right spirit - Macclesfield condemmed to midtable obscurity, Barnsley already league winners - and no cards of either colour for either side.
Saturday's big game though was the first of the FA Cup Semi Finals - with Charlton advancing at the expense of Norwich , with a 2-1 victory at Wembley - England international Darren Bent netting the winner right at the death to break Norfolk hearts.
In a testament of the FA's planning, the second semi followed on Sunday also at Wembley, with Liverpool beating Bolton 1-0 thanks to a Sanil Tuncay goal late in the first half - leaving many supporters agonising over whether to risk Sunday travel chaos to travel to the capital.
Wednesday saw another reserve draw - with departing duo Tony Vaughan and Martin Devaney both scoring in a 2-2 draw at Peterborough . In Europe, Celtic memorably beat Inter Milan 2-1 to reach the final of the European Cup , whilst at Old Trafford, Manchester United achieved the same margin of victory over Werder Bremen - only to go out to the Germans on the away goals rule - setting Celtic up with a trip to Athens, and the chance to win their their second European Cup, with the current crop of players getting the chance to emulate the great team of 1967.
Bristol Rovers v Barnsley - 28.4.07 - League Two
The final day of the league season would see the Tykes travel to midtable Rovers with two changes to the side - the returning Stuart Fleetwood replacing Wrigley, and Chris Shuker, back after a late fitness test, replacing Higgins on the right. On 6 minutes though it would be the home side who took the lead - Walker lashing past Hart from just inside the area - and 15 minutes later, Rix added a second - Barnsley's early showing poor for those who had travelled. It was indeed all a bit scrappy, and Fairway rang the changes with three off at the break - replacing Fleetwood, Williams and Wroe with Moore, El-Abd and Higgins. Barnsley did look better after the break, and on 57, Shuker and Moore combined to provide Nardiello with an easy tap-in. The joy wouldn't last - on 59 the impressive veteran Den Dunnen added Rovers' third - before Nardiello stole the show - pulling one back on 73, and then pinching an equaliser three minutes from time to claim his hatrick. 4 minutes of injury time saw not a glorious comeback completed, but instead bookings for Howard and Moore. It was typical end of season stuff, with both sides making errors after a long, hard campaign - and proving nothing.
The final day of the season then had seen Kidderminster Harriers drop back into the Conference in the cruellest of circumstances - up until injury time with a draw against Mansfield, when, at London Road, Kevin Braniff scored the winner against Yeovil for Peterborough - keeping the Posh up on Goal Difference alone. Elsewhere in League Two Blackpool , managed by ex-Barnsley boss Rick Holden , fell out of the Playoff Places on the final day, with Orient's 1-0 win over Carlisle condemming the one-time league leaders to another season in the basement division. At the top, Cheltenham Town and Rochdale joined Barnsley in automatic promotion. Coming into the league would be Hereford , Champions of the Conference, whilst Aldershot, Exeter, Scarborough - managed by ex Tyke Neil Redfearn - and Forest Green Rovers would compete for the second promotion place through the playoffs.
In League One, Preston North End and Lincoln City achieved promotion whilst Crewe continued their fall from grace, relegated after losing to Swindon whilst Northampton avoided the drop by beating Rotherham by a goal to nil. Sc unthorpe, Southend and Stockport would join them, relegated to the final tier of the Football League.
Sunday saw the conclusion of the Championship - Southampton already Champions, and Reading joining them - with Plymouth, QPR, Sunderland and Cardiff contesting playoff places. Hull, Watford and Coventry would go down to form some of Barnsley's League One opponents next season.
The week would go quietly - training, albeit light, still going on, with summer admin work starting to build up. Fairway confirmed to Martin Devaney and Tony Vaughan that they would be released from the club on the expiration of their contracts - news which neither wanted to hear, though both had long expected.
The Premiership finished on Sunday with Liverpool crowned Champions after victory at Newcastle - Rafa Benetez's side could now go on to take the double with a win in the FA Cup Final next weekend against Charlton - so no final success for retiring Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson . Ipswich joined the already down Stoke and Manchester City after going down 1-0 away at Charlton.
There would though, be bad news for the seemingly injury-prone Stuart Fleetwood on Saturday. Just two days before the squad broke up for the summer, the striker came in for extra strength work - and picked up a chest injury after over exerting himself in the weights room.
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