Sheridan the younger aims to knock John out of the spotlight

Dec 31 2008 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

OLDHAM manager John won’t be the only Sheridan in the soccer spotlight on Saturday.

For while the 44-year-old former Republic of Ireland midfielder brings his promotion-chasing Latics to Town for a League I derby, younger brother Darren will be aiming to guide non-league Barrow to an FA Cup giant-killing feat.

The Cumbrian club head for Middlesbrough in the third round of the FA Cup, and 41-year-old former Barnsley player Darren, who shares the management duties with Dave Bayliss, will be relishing a return to the big time.

The former Football League club are already guaranteed one achievement at the Riverside Stadium – and in the process will take a record away from Town.

For their 7,000 travelling fans will form the biggest-ever away contingent at the ground, bettering the 5,000 who saw Town beaten 5-1 in the third round of the then-Coca-Cola Cup in October 1996.

The maximum away supporters allocation for a Premier League game at the Riverside, which was opened in 1995, is 4,500.

Barrow quickly sold out their initial 5,000 ticket allocation and were granted a further 2,000 by the Teesside club.