A decade ago today, Stephen Foster scored the most famous goal of his career, shed tears on the Anfield pitch and then spent the evening with a roomful of Liverpool-supporting Freemasons.
Meanwhile, Brian Howard netted a 'life-changing' winner against the Premier League giants, captained the Reds to one of their biggest ever cup shocks, and then led his team-mates into The Mount pub near Oakwell for a drink with fans at the start of a raucous night of celebrations.
Exactly ten years on, both players have retired with Foster now a 'househusband' and also managing property he rents out, while Howard is a football agent with a fleet of young players including Barnsley's Jacob Brown, Jared Bird and Jake Greatorex.
They both still look back fondly on the day when their goals for Championship strugglers Barnsley stunned Liverpool's Champions League-winning manager Rafa Benitez who rested star striker Fernando Torres but played Jamie Carragher, Xabi Alonso and substitute Steven Gerrard. It was part of a glorious cup run which saw another Premier League giant Chelsea beaten in the next round at Oakwell before the Reds lost to Cardiff City in the semi-final at Wembley.
While Howard's sensational long-range winner and Luke Steele's fantastic debut in goal, which saw him make a series of tremendous stops 48 hours after signing, are the most famous memories from that day, the most interesting story is arguably Foster's. The centre-back's only previous goal for the club since joining from Burnley in 2007 had come earlier in the cup run against Blackpool. He stayed upfield following a corner in the 57th minute and climbed above Carragher and Peter Crouch to get on the end of Martin Devaney's excellent cross and send in a header which beat Charles Itandje and cancelled out Dirk Kuyt's opener.
Foster said: "I was a frustrated centre forward and I used to play up front when I was youth player. I always felt confident going up for corners and it was my favourite part of the game.
"When I scored it was pure joy but very emotional. My dad had died about two years earlier but, for some reason, a lot of emotion came back when I scored that goal. I think it was because he put so much energy into my football career, driving me around to games, and he would have been so happy that I had scored on such a big stage.
"He was always proud of me anyway, but that goal would have meant a lot to him, and I knew that so I had tears in my eyes. The cameras would have shown that but all my team-mates just jumped on me and I don't think anyone noticed."
Although a boyhood Manchester United fan due to his dad John supporting them, Foster had grown up around Liverpool fans in Warrington while his wife's father and brother are Anfield season-ticket holders. He said: "They didn't know how to react because they were pleased I scored but obviously they wanted Liverpool to win."
There was further misery to come for the home fans when Howard, furious that referee Martin Atkinson had not given a penalty for a tackle on him by Sami Hyypia seconds earlier, lashed in the winner from outside the box in the 90th minute. Howard said: "I thought it was stonewall penalty and I was chasing the ref. When I picked the ball up again I was so annoyed with the ref that I just hit it as hard as I could. It's all a bit of a blur.
"Being a captain in an FA Cup semi-final was my proudest moment but, in terms of the best feeling, you can't get better than that goal at Anfield. I already had ten goals and ten assists that season but that goal totally changed my life because suddenly people seemed to recognise me wherever I was in the country and even when I went on holiday that summer."
After being clapped off by both sets of fans, the celebrations began in the away dressing room then continued on the bus on the way back to South Yorkshire. Howard said: "Barnsley was totally gridlocked and we were stuck in traffic near Oakwell. I dragged all the boys off the bus and took them into The Mount pub.
"I think the fans were a bit shocked but obviously happy to see us and the staff said we didn't have to pay. I don't think footballers would get away with that now even though it was only ten years ago, but it was a really special moment."
Foster did not go to The Mount, as his father-in-law – a member of the society of masons – had booked him in to attend a Masonic lodge meeting in Liverpool after the game. He said: "The room was full of Liverpool fans and they all knew who I was. I was smiling from ear to ear and they didn't know where to look. It was a three-course meal and I just needed to keep my emotions in check.
"I can't believe it was ten years ago. It feels more like one or two years ago. I am known for that goal and for that cup run. I hit the ground running with Barnsley that season and it set me up for a really good spell there. I fell in love with the club and fans and I still have a really good relationship with them. We definitely rode our luck at Anfield but the determination and organisation was fantastic.
"It was like an attack versus defence training session. We always knew we had players with ability who could provide that little bit of magic like Brian Howard did."
Teams from that day: Liverpool: Itandje, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Benayoun, Lucas (Gerrard 75), Alonso, Babel (Kewell 69), Kuyt, Crouch. Barnsley: Steele, Hassell, Souza, Foster, Kozluk (Van Homoet 60), Devaney, De Silva, Howard, Leon (Campbell-Ryce 71), Ferenczi, Nardiello (Odejayi 55).
