โOur beautiful life in the beautiful gameโ
A personal full time match report after my Dad Glen Oxley passed away peacefully from prostate cancer, written about our life in
#football
, delivered in person at my Dad's funeral.
RIP Dad, my hero x
Say hello to our twin baby boys ๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐ป
Edward James Oxley (6lb 3oz) (right)
Joseph Thomas Oxley (5lb 1oz) (left)
They arrived a minute apart just before 8.45pm on Saturday 10 October at Jessopโs in Sheffield.
Mum and boys are doing really well, Dad canโt stop smiling ๐
How does Sheffield Wednesday manager Darren Moore like to celebrate, asked
@robstaton
last night?
Jelly snakes was the answer ๐
More than happy to oblige after a famous night, never seen a man look so happy ๐
#SWFC
|
@footballheaven
Not really sure what to say, which is unusual given what I do for a living, but today my Dad Glen passed away peacefully at Ashgate Hospice.
Extremely grateful to have said goodbye in person & very lucky to have superb friends & family to help us deal with his incalculable loss.
Extremely sad news this morning about the passing of Bob Jackson, the founding father of the football phone-in. He was 88yo.
Bob launched 'Praise or Grumble'.
It's a genuine honour to follow in his footsteps at
@BBCSheffield
.
Condolences to Bob's extended family and friends.
After 13yrs+ proudly supporting
@syptweet
, Iโm honoured to have an incredible opportunity to follow my dream. Next Monday I start full time with
@footballheaven
team
@BBCSheffield
. As a local lad & a fan of the show, it will be an absolute privilege. I canโt wait to get started.
๐ โItโs been very, very emotionalโ
๐น The man of the night Drew Talbot (
@DroobyT
) after over 9,000 fans attend his testimonial between former clubs Chesterfield & Sheffield Wednesday.
#Spireites
|
#SWFC
|
@footballheaven
I covered
#rufc
just 2 days after my Dad died this summer. Paul Warne walked up to the commentary point and gave me a big hug, he didnโt say much, or have to, having lost his old man this year. Some people just get it, Iโll never forget that.
#WMHD2019
#WorldMentalHeathDay
"People get obsessed with what people earn. I don't see why that doesn't give you problems in depression or lack of self esteem."
On
#WorldMentalHealthDay
Rotherham boss Paul Warne talks about how far the game has come, and how far is left to go.
Sheffield United cannot be promoted on Monday evening when Luton host Middlesbrough after their results tonight ๐ ๐ปโโ๏ธ
But the Blades now know a win against West Brom next Wednesday will confirm their return to the Premier League ๐
#sufc
|
#twitterblades
@footballheaven
๐๐ปโโ๏ธ So Iโve had to pause my
@prostateunited
runs until further notice as Iโm in hospital.
๐ Quite emotional, as I explain below, including being in the same ward as my dad who died from prostate cancer ๐ค๐
Any donations for
@ProstateUK
would be great ๐๐ป
Football.
Incredible to think just 24 days ago, Darren Mooreโs Sheffield Wednesday beat Michael Duffโs Barnsley at Wembley to secure promotion to the Championship.
Now both the Owls & Reds are without a boss, in the same week.
#SWFC
|
#BarnsleyFC
@footballheaven
Not expecting anything official from
#BarnsleyFC
tonight but I understand reports suggesting the club has parted company with head coach Markus Schopp are true.
The Reds are 13 without a win and have lost their last 7 league games.
@footballheaven
@BBCSheffield
WWWWWWWWWW
Doncasterโs form as they win 4-1 at Colchester to record a 10th-straight win & go 5th in League Two.
Rovers were 22nd in February & fearing the drop.
Simply bonkers.
The biggest story in football right now.
The Sal is calling! ๐ป
#DRFC
|
@footballheaven
Is Chris Wilder satisfied with the explanations of the ghost goal at Villa Park?
"Not at all."
"I am absolutely 100% certain, if we were a more powerful football club in the Premier League... I think thereโd have been a lot more made of that."
@footballheaven
#twitterblades
#sufc
boss Slavisa Jokanovic says the clubโs โboard must do what they promised me before I coming here and refresh the squad. Thatโs it. This is simple like I cannot explain it in a different way. They must do it (the board). I am confident they will do it.โ
@footballheaven
๐ฃ โAbsolutely buzzing for himโ
๐ฅ George Baldock ๐ฌ๐ท on supporting Iliman Ndiayeโs Senegal ๐ธ๐ณ at Qatar 2022 ๐ถ๐ฆ after scoring the winner in South Wales ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ to send Sheffield United ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ top of the Championship ๐
Full interview via
@footballheaven
๐ป
#sufc
|
#twitterblades
๐ฃ๏ธ โHecky and Stuart McCall!โ
๐ฅ Joyous scenes at the full time whistle at Bramall Lane as Sheffield United beat Spurs to make the FA Cup quarter finals for a 3rd time in 4 seasons ๐
Iliman Ndiayeโs wonder goal wins it ๐ธ๐ณ
#sufc
|
#twitterblades
@footballheaven
#swfc
maybe relegated this season due to a 6-point deduction for breaching spending rules that had nothing to do with the Owls manager(s), players or fans... just one example of many.
Why should the โbig sixโ be any different when it comes to punishments for the ESL breakaway?
A handful of owners try to tear our game apart and may well try to do so again, and weโre just told to โcalm down and move onโ. Huge admirer of Klopp but heโs spectacularly tone deaf here. Without the fans of our beautiful game it would be much uglier today.
๐ฃ๏ธ โItโs going to be some bloody goal of the season award do!โ
๐ฅ Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Will Vaulks on his stunning strike at Adams Park to seal a 1-0 win vs Wycombe Wanderers โฝ๏ธ
Vaulks says he might gloat, just a littleโฆ and rightly so ๐
#swfc
|
@footballheaven
โI made my debut with my brother and he was in the stands today. The family is just so proud. In the family group chat, my auntie was crying. Itโs mental. This is what Iโve dreamed of since I was going to the games at 7yo.โ
19yo
#sufc
defender Kyron Gordon.
@footballheaven
Awful night for South Yorkshire football with the passing of two local legends.
Between them, Eric Winstanley at
#BarnsleyFC
& Len Badger at
#sufc
played over a 1,000 games for their hometown clubs.
Condolences to Eric & Lenโs family & friends.
@footballheaven
@BBCSheffield
The 22nd of January, my Dadโs birthday. He would have been 67yo today, which is still no age.
You know that thing youโre waiting for? Maybe do it now.
My Dad worked hard all his life & barely got his retirement.
My tribute for his funeral.
My hero.
๐ฃ โIโve had no contact at allโ
๐ฅ Rotherham boss Paul Warne on reports linking him with the vacant Huddersfield Town job.
The Millers drew 0-0 at Middlesbrough tonight to go into the international break 8th in the Championship.
#rufc
|
#htafc
|
@footballheaven
Just spoken with
#swfc
caretaker boss Lee Bullen who is out in Germany. Bullen says he could potentially become the new Owls manager and thinks he'd be ready to step up, if offered the manager's role. Calls it an honour to be in charge. Full interview online asap.
@footballheaven
I'm told there's no change at
#swfc
regarding Steve Bruce. The club hasn't received an approach from
#nufc
. Bruce took the Owls training today at Middlewood and has been around the club.
@footballheaven
CW said 2-0 win at
#efc
was worst
#sufc
have played all season in possession, poor decisions on ball, but Blades boss delighted with defensive organisation, solidity & discipline. Called fans reception at the end absolutely ridiculous.
@footballheaven
I make no apologies for repeatedly sharing this photo.
Itโs 3๏ธโฃ years to the day since
@OfficialRUFC
lost 1-0 at Portman Road.
The significant fact of the dayโฆ my final dad โnโ lad radio trip with my old man.
Eternally grateful to
@IpswichTown
for making the day possible.
Iโve been to many, many games at Oakwell since I first became the
@BarnsleyFC
reporter for
@BBCSheffield
in 2008, today was different.
There was a real vibe on the pitch, off the pitch & in the dugout, which is remarkable given the apathy & anger of last season. Great to see.
I cannot begin to tell you how proud we are as a family that my Dad & former
@HallamFC1860
player Glen Oxley now has a memorial plaque at the WORLDโS OLDEST FOOTBALL GROUND, Sandygate.
A HUGE thank you to everyone at
@HallamFC1860
for making this happen ๐๐ป
Barnsleyโs John Stones & Sheffieldโs Kyle Walker are Champions League winners ๐
What outstanding careers theyโve had since coming through the ranks with the Reds & Blades.
Congratulations lads, Kings of Europe ๐
@footballheaven
@BBCSheffield
#BarnsleyFC
#SUFC
Per sources, Iโm told a deal is in place for Canadian international Liam Millar to join Sheffield United after the Copa America.
The 24yo former Liverpool youth spent last season on loan at Preston from Swiss side FC Basel.
#SUFC
|
#twitterblades
@footballheaven
New EFL fixtures out.
๐ Saturday 9 November at 3pm
Sheffield United v Sheffield Wednesday
Barnsley v Rotherham
Now that would be quite an afternoon, although I suspect the authorities may have something to say about it!
#BarnsleyFC
#RUFC
#SUFC
#SWFC
@footballheaven
1๏ธโฃ5๏ธโฃ years ago today, I travelled to South Wales as a nervous 21yo just out of
@sheffielduni
for my 1st match as a BBC football reporter.
Now Iโm about to start my 16th season with the
@footballheaven
team & my 3rd full time at
@BBCSheffield
.
Proud & privileged doesnโt cut it.
A thank you message at the end of
@prostateunited
, particularly for my wife
@gemmalou
๐๐ค
Over 150km ran in 30 days raising money for
@ProstateUK
Feeling proud, feeling emotional, thinking about my Dad and missing him horrendously.
Season number 2๏ธโฃ1๏ธโฃ in local radio, number 1๏ธโฃ7๏ธโฃ with
@BBCSheffield
starts with
#BarnsleyFC
in Cardiff, the first of 3๏ธโฃ live games over 8๏ธโฃ bumper hours in
@footballheaven
from 2pm.
The
@EFL
is back, let the games begin!
See you in South Wales ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ
I โค๏ธ this photo but I canโt believe this is a year ago ๐
Saturday 12 January 2019, the last time my Dad would come on a
@BBCSheffield
road trip with me.
@IpswichTown
&
@OfficialRUFC
were superb in making it such a special day for us both.
My hero, I miss him so much.
Iโm at Portman Road tonight for
#itfc
against
#rufc
in League 1.
The last time I was here was January 2019, with my Dad; our last โdad โnโ ladโ trip before he passed 6mths later (as per my profile photo).
@ProstateUK
scarf in his place tonight for DAB comms in
@footballheaven
So it seems Sheffield Wednesday would have won 2-0 today had the club not shown a replay of George Byers โgoalโ so swiftly on the big screen.
I wonder if that process will change now.
Certainly a disallowed goal & a situation to discuss on
@footballheaven
this Monday.
So
#BarnsleyFC
can secure a Championship playoff place with 2 games still to play, just 9 months after avoiding relegation to League 1 with the final kick of last season.
Remarkable progress.
Huge Yorkshire derby win tonight, especially after the disappointment of St Andrewโs.
My Dad Glen finished his long playing career with Old Edwardians, in his late 50s. He loved playing football.
Tonight I presented
@footballheaven
in my Dadโs shirt, and dedicated the show to him, on the eve of what would have been his 66th birthday.
๐ง
As I said to Daniel Stendel in a post-match interview early this season... Das ist wunderbar! ๐ฉ๐ช
Delighted for
#BarnsleyFC
returning to the Championship at the first attempt.
What a remarkable job Stendel & his staff have done in their first season at (undefeated) Oakwell.
๐ฅ Full time scenes at Oakwell as Barnsley record a famous 4-2 win and complete a South Yorkshire derby double against Sheffield Wednesday.
Watters & Kitching with late goals for the Reds after Gregory had equalised for the Owls.
#BarnsleyFC
|
#SWFC
@footballheaven
From Will Griggโs on fire ๐ฅ to the greatest team the world has ever seen ๐ด
A flavour of the celebrations on the Priestfield pitch as
#rufc
players & staff celebrate promotion to the Championship.
@footballheaven
|
@BBCSheffield
Six months ago I was โnever doing a half marathonโ ๐๐ปโโ๏ธ
Really proud to represent
@BBCSheffield
and complete my first half in Sheffield in 1hr 56mins ๐ช๐ป
Brilliant event, crowds were fantastic.
Thanks to my dad Glen &
@rooth_ben
for the inspiration ๐๐ป
๐ โTrainingโs been excellent, gafferโ
๐ That awkward moment when your new boss hears you talking about them ๐
๐น Sheffield Wednesday midfielder George Byers on Xiscoโs preseason programme after making his return to action at Chesterfield ๐ต๐ฆ
#SWFC
|
@footballheaven
โ๏ธ Great to meet & interview new Sheff Utd midfielder Anis Slimane ๐น๐ณ for the latest edition of Blades Heaven - out now wherever you get your podcasts ๐ฑ๐ป
๐น๐๐ป Anis was tracking Unitedโs promotion push from the start of 2023 ahead of a potential move!
Congratulations to
@valerien_ismael
&
@BarnsleyFC
Readingโs draw against Swansea means the Reds will compete in the Championship playoffs for a place in the Premier League.
Not bad for a team who were seconds away from relegation to League 1 just 9 months ago.
@footballheaven
Huge congratulations to Rotherham United in completing their Championship survival mission ๐๐ป
What a journey itโs been over 6๏ธโฃ yo-yo seasonsโฆ well the ๐ช has finally stopped spinning for the Millers.
Amazing to share another fantastic
#rufc
experience with ๐
@ronniemoore53
Re tonightโs topic on
@footballheaven
, Iโve never understood fans leaving football games early, or fans leaving any event early for that matter. Why bother going at all if youโre not going to stay until the end? Itโs an individuals choice, and rightly so, but I donโt get it.
Absolutely, bang on Mr Wilder. People simply wouldnโt say โManchesterโ.
Saying โSheffieldโ is disrespectful to the Blades, the Owls, and arguably more importantly, to the worldโs OLDEST football club
@sheffieldfc
Itโs been an incredible day celebrating my boysโ 2nd birthdays ๐ฅณ but itโs also
#WorldMentalHealthDay
and I wanted to share how my day started, collecting the anxiety meds that help me to function as a key part of my mental-health toolbox.
Kindness starts with yourself ๐๐ป
Great โPraiseโ tonight
@BBCSheffield
from Mick the Owl for his son Matthew & nephew Adrian. They were 2 of an impressive 3,578
#swfc
fans at Ewood Park and walked 6 miles to the ground after their car broke down. Thatโs commitment, especially for a 4-2 defeat. Well done gents ๐๐ป
Weโve just passed the
#sufc
team bus going onto the Sheffield Parkway. Stopped at traffic lights, we could hear the singing from inside our car. Driver had a big smirk on his face. Expect a fun scene at Bramall Lane when they arrive!
@footballheaven
Chesterfieldโs trip to Watford is much more interesting than most of these games, as is Gillingham at home against Sheffield United.
Iโm sure the Spireites & Gills would also be much more grateful for the ยฃ85k live TV payment.
#Spireites
|
@footballheaven
Still canโt make sense of this, even though I heard it live driving back from Bolton and have listened a few times!
Another slice of audio gold served by the original football phone-in Praise or Grumble.
Well handled
@robstaton
๐
๐ Heโs back at Oakwell after a 7-year absence.
๐๐ Double trophy winning former captain Conor Hourihane returns to Barnsley as player/coach before assuming a full first-team coaching role in 2026.
#BarnsleyFC
|
@footballheaven
One of the best pieces of radio you will ever hear ๐๐ป
This is what football means.
Raw emotion from Tom the Spireite about his beloved Chesterfield, from the heart after a heartbreaking playoff final defeat.
@BBCSport
@BBCMOTD
I implore you to listen.
Informed that Steve Bruce is at
#swfc
training ground this morning as he continues to be linked with the vacant
#nufc
managerโs role. Iโve just checked and there still hasnโt been a formal approach from Newcastle.
@footballheaven
Co-hosted an event Iโve wanted to host since its inception (
@footballheaven
Managersโ Special) and scored 2 goals in a 6-5 win for
@kagfc
after our opposition agreed to swap to a later kick off time.
Not a bad Monday evening, itโs as if someone was looking down on me tonight...
Current scene at a drenched Hillsborough with a pitch inspection due at 5.30pm ahead of
#swfc
ahead of Accrington Stanley.
I think itโs fair to say there is a doubt about the game.
@footballheaven
@BBCSheffield
Business done at Oakwell this transfer window. All late bids rejected. Pinnock, Moore, Cavare, Thiam all remain
#BarnsleyFC
players. Daniel Stendel will be a happy head coach after keeping them all in red.
@footballheaven
#sufc
boss Chris Wilder says Lys Mousset, John Fleck, Rhian Brewster, John Egan and Enda Stevens all have a chance of playing against West Ham on Sunday after various injury issues; will make a late call & give them all every opportunity to be involved.
@footballheaven
#sufc
manager Chris Wilder has agreed a new 3yr contract with the club, effective immediately, after guiding the Blades from League 1 to the Premier League.
@footballheaven
First I commentated as 4,500 fans returned to support
#BarnsleyFC
in the Championship playoffs.
Then I played in a Staff v Media game & scored a penalty at the away end, while
@IanOllie7
helped babysit our twin boys.
All at Oakwell in the last 24hrs.
Special, surreal times ๐
Keep walking, keep talking, keep doing whatever you need to do to keep yourself mentally and physically in shape ๐๐ป
No shame, no stigma, just action.
Posting my latest pharmacy trip for the people I know that need to see that this is normal.
#mentalhealth
#TimetoTalk
A fourth January 22nd without my dad Glen ๐ข
He would have been 68 today.
A special man taken from us far too soon, who never got to meet our little legends Ed & Joe.
Extremely grateful for the years we had, immeasurably gutted about the years weโve lost.
๐
@ProstateUK
๐ค
Brilliant to see the
@Lionesses
win
#WEURO2022
with
@robstaton
who has done a superb job capturing the day for
@footballheaven
๐๐ป
Big ๐๐ป to the
@BBCSheffield
sports team & the wider station for a fantastic collective effort in covering the tournament ๐ป๐
Football is home ๐ก
Sheffield United are now under a transfer embargo for default of payments due to another club (Regulation 52.2.3), according to the EFLโs Embargo Reporting Service.
#sufc
|
#twitterblades
@footballheaven
Best Local Station of the Year at the radio โOscarsโ (
@radioacademy
) is
@BBCSheffield
๐
Wow, what an incredible achievement for a wonderful group of people who care passionately about South Yorkshire & North Derbyshire ๐๐ป
Ridiculously proud to work with my local station ๐
#sufc
boss Slavisa Jokanovic says:
โIf we donโt do (signings) we are not enough serious for the job.โ
โBefore I arrive here we are talking about the strategy of the club and we need to follow our strategy.โ
@footballheaven
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder confirms Ivo Grbiฤ & Sam Curtis are set to be announced as Blades players.
Wilder has also confirmed Ismaila Coulibaly is leaving the club on loan.
Interview to follow via
@footballheaven
.
#SUFC
|
#twitterblades
Brilliant moment on the drive to Cardiff.
#BarnsleyFC
fan sees the
@BBCSheffield
car around Monmouth, hangs out the passenger window and screams โUUUUREDZโ at the top of his voice with two clenched fists.
Away days are special days, especially after 17 months.
@footballheaven
Huge thanks to former
#BarnsleyFC
&
#SWFC
striker turned psychotherapist Sam Winnall after joining us for our latest
#TimeToTalkDay
special on
@footballheaven
๐๐ป
Must-listen for Reds & Owls fans after his switch between the 2 clubs.
๐ง Full hour here ๐
In memory of the mightiest oak of a man, tiny acorns will grow ๐ณ
Visited my Dadโs memorial tree today at the Longshaw Estate on the first anniversary of his passing.
Miss him terribly, today and every day. My hero, gone but never forgotten x
Itโs fair to say Ed & Joe werenโt thrilled with the first half of
#swfc
against Millwall earlier, or was it my commentary that was sending them to sleep ๐
Leaving these 2 with mum today was tough but it was great to be back with the
@footballheaven
team on
@BBCSheffield
๐ป
Liam Lindsay says the
#BarnsleyFC
players had a squad meeting this week without the coaching team before a meeting with them; positive, senior players led the way, good to hear everyoneโs point of view; shows level of maturity for young group.
@footballheaven
Incredibly grateful for so many precious moments with our new extended family but my paternity leave is over and today Iโm back behind the mic on
@footballheaven
for full commentary of
#swfc
v Millwall on AM & DAB from 3pm on
@BBCSheffield
.
Letโs get this show on the road ๐
One of the best games Iโve had the privilege to call for
@BBCSheffield
๐๏ธ
The Blades are heading back to Wembley after beating Blackburn 3-2 in the FA Cup quarter finals ๐
๐ฅ๐ง from Paul Heckingbottom, Tommy Doyle & Wes Foderingham available now via
@footballheaven
๐ป
So this May (19-23), Iโm going to walk 120+ miles over 5 days between the top 25 menโs and womenโs football clubs in the
@footballheaven
area.
Why? To raise awareness about
#mentalhealth
and raise money for local Mind charities.
More details & links to follow soon but... 1/3
#sufc
boss Slavisa Jokanovic says he cannot be satisfied with this game (0-0 at Luton) and with the start to the season; team played without quality, without energy; we didnโt create anything; if anyone deserved to win it was Luton; clearly we need to improve.
@footballheaven
๐ด
#rufc
are in the
@PapaJohnsTrophy
final ๐ด
The Millers beat Hartlepool on penalties after drawing 2-2 after 90 mins.
๐ฅ WATCH here as Paul Warne describes what it means to be heading back to Wembley, and for those who went to Crewe ๐
@footballheaven
|
@BBCSheffield
Re sellout at Lane, CW says fans have to bring their โA Gameโ to the table. Players & staff will be at maximum, fans have to do same. Misplaced pass canโt be met with a moan & a groan. Every right to opinion but need them. Players deserve backing & full support.
@footballheaven
๐ธ This is Football Heaven ๐ธ
Thatโs 1๏ธโฃ8๏ธโฃ seasons completed for
@BBCSheffield
and 2022/23 may just top the lot, for many reasons.
Memories that will last a lifetime.
Unbelievably proud to be a member of the
@footballheaven
team.
To everyone involved, thank you ๐๐ป๐๐ป
Iโm hearing about Barnsley interest in former loan goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith, one to keep an eye on for Reds fans.
The 28yo ex Sheffield Wednesday stopper played a key role in helping Derby County win promotion to the Championship last season.
#BarnsleyFC
|
@footballheaven
Joyous scenes at the caravan in Filey ๐
Fish & chips from the seafront followed by
#ENG
beating
#GER
at Wembley in a knockout game at a major tournament.
What a time to be an English football fan ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ
South Yorkshireโs backline = Wall
Come on ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฆ
#EURO2020
If you listen to anything today, make it this, it really got me in the studio ๐๐ป
Extremely grateful to
#DRFC
fan Andrew for sharing his story on
@footballheaven
about the priceless moment he shared with his dad (who has dementia) during the Barrow comeback.
๐ฅฒ "I've not had a moment like that in my adult life that I can cherish, with my dad, with his illness. I'll hold onto it forever."
This was an emotional call from Andrew the Doncaster Rovers fan last night
#DRFC
|
@BBCSheffield
If thereโs enough doubt, just call it off.
How many times have we been through this situation, especially with Barnsley over recent years?
Travelling fans have to be a top priority, and nobody can wait until 1pm before setting off for Stevenage.
#BarnsleyFC
|
@footballheaven
Referee Sam Purkiss, the EFL and the PGMOL have requested a secondary pitch inspection at 1pm this afternoon.
We will update supporters with the outcome as soon as possible.
George Baldock becomes the 2nd player to commit his future to
#sufc
today, signing a new contract until 2022. The news follows Oli Norwood's decision to retire from international football with N Ireland, in order to concentrate on his club career at Bramall Lane.
@footballheaven