A FILM created by Barnsley FC fans which relives the most famous era in the Reds’ history will make its debut at The Lamproom on Sunday.

Daydream Believers a 100-minute documentary focusing on the impact the club’s promotion to the top flight in 1997 had on the town will be shown to sold-out audiences each day next week.

Having fought their way to Division One’s second automatic promotion spot behind runaway leaders Bolton Wanderers, it meant Danny Wilson’s Reds were in the top flight for the first time in their 102-year history.

In their final home game of the season, a Yorkshire derby against Bradford City, the Reds knew a win would be enough to clinch their runner-up spot and they triumphed 2-0 to spark jubilant scenes on April 26, 1997.

The film-makers interviewed then chairman John Dennis, manager Danny Wilson, assistant Eric Winstanley as well as various players including John Hendrie, Adi Moses, Nicky Eaden, and Arjan De Zeeuw.

They also spoke to Ken Loach, the director of Barnsley-based film Kes, football writer Henry Winter, officials from the National Union of Miners and various Reds’ fans who witnessed the promotion-winning campaign and the club’s year in the Premiership.

Liam Dyson, one of the film’s creators, said: “The town was really struggling and hadn’t had much joy for a long time, so the promotion brought back belief and excitement.

“It’s the most successful time in the club’s history and it will possibly never be repeated. We wanted it to be formally documented especially as there is a new generation of fans coming through who can’t remember that period and some weren’t even born.”

Barnsley’s first and so far only season in the country’s top division ended in relegation having finished 19th, five points from safety.

Eric Winstanley, who told the Chronicle he remembers the promotion scenes like it was ‘yesterday’, said the film ensures the Reds’ younger fans will know about the most important time in its history.

“It’s something no-one who witnessed it will forget,” he said. “Barnsley’s always been a yo-yo type of club which has gone from division to division, so this was a special time which had never been witnessed before.

“Many people didn’t think we were big enough to get to the top flight as we’d been a feeder club for established teams, so you can imagine the excitement when we were playing the big boys.

“It’s important this era is never forgotten and it’s the first and only time in more than 100 years that it’s happened.

“We were only there for one season but we did the town proud.

“The boys behind the film have done a great job so the people who witnessed it can reminisce and those not old enough to have seen it can watch what happened with their own eyes.”

Dennis, the chairman at the time, believes it’s vital future generations have a documented history of that era to look back on.

“We’re all very grateful to the lads who have put the film together as it’s a special record of a special time,” he said. “Danny and his staff achieved promotion in style and what it did was provide amazing positivity to a town which had gone through so much negativity.”

Proceeds from the film will be donated to Barnsley Hospital’s Tiny Hearts Appeal.