The glory days of the Premiership and manager Danny Wilson are now long gone and Barnsley, under administration, now look deep in second division trouble.
Wilson led the Tykes to the top flight for their one and only stay in 1997-98, but on his return to Oakwell it was his Bristol City side who strolled to any easy three points.
There was no room for sentiment as City demolished a far from confident Barnsley side.
The home side had started reasonably well and youngster Robbie Williams, making his home debut, went close with a dipping 25-yard free-kick.
But then the young left-back showed his inexperience a minute later by allowing winger Scott Murray to pull the ball back for defender Tony Butler to give City the lead.
Ten minutes later Murray again got past Williams on the right and his inviting cross was neatly headed home from six yards by lively striker Christian Roberts.
Barnsley frontman Rory Fallon should have done better with two close-range headers while strike partner Bruce Dyer fluffed a great chance four minutes before the break.
Barnsley brought on New Zealander Leo Bertos at the start of the second half and it took him just four minutes to make an impact.
Firstly his low drive was brilliantly saved by Steve Phillips and then his deflected shot pulled the score back to 2-1.
But City took just nine minutes to restore their advantage, Peter Beadle heading against the post and Roberts ramming in the rebound.
And City wrapped up the spoils in the 73rd minute when Neil Austin brought down substitute Aaron Brown wide on the left.
Roberts stepped up and his fierce free-kick took a slight deflection and flashed past Andy Marriott for his hat-trick