Barnsley Football Club

Oakwell Stadium

Grove Street

Barnsley 

(Away Fans – Queens Road, Barnsley, Sat Nav postcode S71 1AN and NOT S71 1ET)

Link to Barnsley FC Visitor Guide – visitor-guide-22-23-v1-compressed.pdf (barnsleyfc.co.uk)

Alan Bloore, Barnsley FC Supporter Liaison Officer, will be at the Away Turnstiles to assist FGR supporters from 1:45pm onwards.

By Supporters Club Coach For full details of Away Travel which has changed from last season, this includes pick up times: – Click here: – FGR Away Travel – Forest Green Rovers Supporters Club (fgrsc.com) For further information, including pickup point locations Away travel arrangements 22/23 – Forest Green Rovers Supporters Club (fgrsc.com) Book coach ticket with your match ticket from FGR. 25% discount for FGR Supporters Club members. Click – Tickets | WE ARE FGR By phone on 0333 123 1889 Monday to Friday, between 9am and 3pm. Please try to book early.

BY CAR

Away end parking – Queens Road, Barnsley – Sat Nav postcode S71 1AN and NOT S71 1ET

Exit the M1 at junction 37 and take the A628. Stay on this road and you’ll quickly see signage pointing you to Oakwell.

Car Parking

Away supporters should use the Queens Ground car park (S71 1AN) with cars charged £5, minibuses (under 16-seater) at £10 and coaching spaces are £20. Please be advised that all vehicles must remain stationary for at least 10 minutes after the final whistle. The exit gate of the South Stand car park, situated at the top of the drive (right turn only) will not open until all visitors’ coaches have vacated the away car park.

Disabled Parking

Barnsley have 12 car parking spaces for away supporters situated in the Queens Ground car park. These are allocated on a first come, first served basis, charged at the standard £5 per car rate. Speak to the steward at top of the car park, and they will direct you.

Please call 01226 211183 or email boxoffice@barnsleyfc.co.uk for more information.

BY TRAIN (Please see the note below regarding access issues from the Town Centre & Railway Station)

From Stroud this takes over 4 hours and involves a couple of changes at Cheltenham & Sheffield. Train timetable is subject to changes.

Barnsley Interchange is a modern transport hub located just a 15-minute walk from Oakwell (its colour scheme has resulted in nicknames and jokes involving dolphins, Telly Tubbies etc.). The station is served by trains running between Leeds, Huddersfield and Sheffield. From the interchange, turn left and away from the town centre and head towards and then under the bridge that the dual carriageway runs across. Once under the bridge, cross the road carefully and turn left up the slip road before taking the first right turn onto Queens Road.

Then, head forward towards the Metrodome Leisure Complex and Oakwell will quickly become visible at the bottom of the hill on Grove Street.

Away supporters are housed in the North Stand, it is a large single tier, covered stand, housing around 6,000 fans. Replacing a former open terrace, it was opened in 1999. This good-sized covered stand is mostly free of supporting pillars, meaning you normally get a very good view of the playing action. The normal allocation for away supporters is 2,000 tickets (FGR have 500 tickets) and fans are normally housed on one side of this stand on the West side (towards the old Main Stand. The acoustics of the stand are not bad meaning that visiting fans can really make some noise.

There is a row of supporting pillars running across the stand towards the rear of the stand. So, if you are seated above Row NN, then you may have a pillar partially obstructing your view. This is only a factor if the stand is full so should not be an issue for FGR supporters.

The facilities on the fair-sized concourse are good and access is given to an adjacent open-air area if fans wish to smoke.

An unusual feature of the stadium is a purpose-built stand for disabled supporters. This is a three-floor structure that sits at the corner between the East and South Stands.

Link to Barnsley FC Visitor Guide – visitor-guide-22-23-v1-compressed.pdf (barnsleyfc.co.uk)

Inside the Ground

Food on offer inside the ground includes a range of Pukka Pies, Sausage Rolls, Burgers, Hot Dogs, and Chips. Please note that the refreshment kiosks do not accept card payments and are cash only.

There is the ‘Beer Bar’ but away fans can only access this when they have taken over the whole stand so probably not applicable to FGR.

The Metrodome Leisure Complex.

In The Town

Popular with away fans and in easy walking distance of Oakwell is the Metrodome Leisure Complex, which has a bar inside. Post code – S71 1AN.

Barnsley FC state ‘Apart from Metrodome, there are NO other designated pubs due in the main to the distance from the ground and the ongoing problems at Barnsley rail/coach interchange’

Please see the note below regarding access issues from the Town Centre & Railway Station.

The Dove Inn on Doncaster Road. This pub which is listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide is an outlet for the Old Mill Brewery. It is only a five-minute walk away from the ground down Oakwell Lane and is happily frequented by both home and away fans. Further along, Doncaster Road (on the right after the Primary School on the left) is the Barnsley East Dene Working Men’s Club, which is happy to admit visiting supporters (including accompanied children) for a small donation. You can also leave your car there at a cost of £2.

There are two real ale outlets in the town centre. Both are within a couple of minutes’ walk of the Transport Interchange. The Arcade Alehouse is an award-winning micropub in the Victorian Arcade. Usually, 5/6 real ales and ciders on offer. Local pork pies on matchday. Small groups of away fans are welcome. The other is the Old No7 on Market Hill. This is the brewery tap for Acorn Brewery. There is always a choice of pale, bitter and stouts/porters on offer from Acorn plus guest breweries. They also sell cider and a wide choice of craft beers. Pork pies sold on match days. There is also a cellar bar which usually opens when the pub is busy’. In Market Street near the Alhambra Shopping Centre is a Wetherspoons outlet called the Silkstone Inn. Like the Arcade Alehouse and Old No.7 it is listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. Also popular with both home and away fans is another Wetherspoons called the Joseph Bramah on Market Hill.

The Corner Pocket on Elm Row, around a 10–15-minute walk from Oakwell. Cheap beer, cheap food but all homemade – chips, chip butties, burgers, pie and peas, 

Drinking elsewhere in the town centre is generally not recommended, especially the Garrison, which is very much a home pub.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS FOR SUPPORTERS TRAVELLING BY TRAIN OR THINKING OF GOING INTO BARNSLEY TOWN CENTRE BEFORE THE GAME.

Important information from Barnsley Council regards the pedestrian crossing at Jumble Lane.

Supporters and those using the town centre are advised of changes to the Jumble Lane crossing for the 22/23 seasons until the new Market Gate Bridge is installed.
When the crossing was closed in March 2019, a temporary bridge was erected over it. However, that bridge will now be closed for an hour before kick-off, during the match and an hour after each home game until further notice to support the safety of fans and other users. This is subject to change based on individual matches.
The alternative walking routes include:
– Midland Street, Eldon Street and Schwäbisch Gmünd Way
or
– Kendray Street, Mayday Green, Cheapside, Wesley Street, Lambra Road, Pontefract Road, Grove Street

There will be no access for supporters via the Alhambra Centre.

As part of the operation, the following changes will be in place at Barnsley Interchange:
– There will be no access through the Interchange, where the bridge will be closed except for those with access needs. – Access to and from the bus station will be via Eldon Street and Schwäbisch Gmünd Way.

– Access to the Interchange from Schwäbisch Gmünd Way will be for access to the railway station only, including being open for fans travelling to and from the game by rail.- The existing temporary accessible route via Schwäbisch Gmünd Way and the transport interchange is available for those with access needs.

Supporters are reminded to use the designated and installed crossing points on the roads for their own safety and the safety of other match-going fans.

Wheelchair users or supporters with pushchairs are advised to use the pavement/footway on the Court House side of Eldon Street during peak times to avoid congestion.

Market Gate Bridge will link the existing public transport and the Market Gate car park to The Glass Works as part of the redevelopment of Barnsley town centre. It will be fully accessible and will accommodate footfall on matchdays.

For more information on parking, click here. https://www.barnsley.gov.uk/services/roads-travel-and-parking/parking/

Barnsley Council, Barnsley FC and South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience.

Barnsley Interchange – Designed by dolphins or home to the Telly Tubbies?

(Link to Barnsley FC Visitor Guide – visitor-guide-22-23-v1-compressed.pdf (barnsleyfc.co.uk) )

1. What is the cost of car parking and coach parking in the away car park?

£5.00 for Cars, £10.00 for Mini Buses (under 16 people) and £20.00 for Coach parking.

Can you inform your supporters and coach companies using Sat Navs to put in Queens Road Barnsley postcode S71 1AN and not the club postcode of S71 1ET? Otherwise, you will end up going up the wrong street to the away car park, from which there is NO entrance to the Car Park

2. Is there any specific information for disabled fans and ambulant disabled fans travelling to the game? For example, do they need to advise anyone if they need car parking.

They should tell the steward at top of the car park, and they will direct them. Depending on the number of coaches you bring they should be directed to the bottom of the car park.

Further information is available in our supporters guide on the main club website www barnsleyfc.co.uk, under the matches link.

3, Are there any other designated away fan pubs in the Town centre or near to the ground?

Barnsley Metrodome Leisure centre, which is situated at the top of the away car park. They have limited capacity on matchdays.

Apart from Metrodome, there are NO other designated pubs due in the main to the distance from the ground and the ongoing problems at Barnsley rail/coach interchange.

Please see separate document on problems around the railway station and access

4. AWAY TICKET COLLECTION.

Away fans are advised to collect any pre-booked tickets prior to the fixture from Main Reception at Oakwell which is in the South Stand. Tickets for away fans are usually available to collect from 6.30 pm onwards.

5. Will alcohol be available in the away end for our fans? Is this beer and cider only or do you serve other alcoholic drinks?

It is mainly beer and cider and is served in the away end. Again, depending on numbers, they sometimes open another specific bar.

6. Are match programmes only available outside the stadium?

They will be available at bottom of your Car Park

7. Do you have a text (or other) service in the event our fans need to report any incident or unacceptable behaviour?

REPORTING PROCEDURE VIA KICK IT OUT APP.

You can report an incident of discrimination via the Kick It Out app which can be used on iPhone and Android devices. Download the product from the Apple Store or Google Play. If you are attending any home matchday and you have received or been witness to, or have any concerns about any incident of hate, you can report it immediately by texting HATE to 60777.

8. Is there any other information that you think our fans should be aware of?

RE-ADMITTANCE There is no re-admittance to the stadium should you choose to leave before the end of the fixture.

FLAGS & BANNER POLICY

 We encourage an exciting atmosphere at matches and fully endorse the bringing of flags and banners to Oakwell, but these must adhere to the guidelines set by the club in tandem with the stadium’s safety team as stipulated below: •

The Club reserves the right to refuse the allowance of flags or banners to be displayed, particularly if the content is deemed to be offensive, insensitive, discriminatory, defamatory or inflammatory.

• Any item that the Club or any of its employees deem possible to be used as a potential weapon and/or compromise public safety will not be permitted inside the stadium.
• Any item above the area of 60cm x 100cm must be flame retardant and have a fire safety certificate to prove so, provided in advance of kick-off.
• The flagpole should be no bigger than 7mm in diameter and one metre in length. The material should ideally be plastic and rounded/covered at the end.
• Flags and banners should be presented to stewards prior to entry to the stadium where they will be inspected in accordance with this list and approved prior to admittance.
• The Club reserves the right to confiscate any flags or banners brought into Oakwell Stadium which weren’t pre-approved by our stewards prior to entry.

Barnsley are 9^th with 21 points.

Recent results – Morecambe 1 Barnsley 0, Barnsley 0 Lincoln 1.

Michael Duff in his Cheltenham days winning Manager of the Month

Michael Duff – He is no stranger to Gloucestershire. In a career spanning from 1995 to 2016, in which he made over 700 appearances, he played as a defender for Carterton Town, Cheltenham Town, Cirencester Town (on loan) and Burnley. At international level, Duff earned 24 caps for Northern Ireland. From 2018 to 2022, he was the manager of L1 club Cheltenham Town, having previously managed the Burnley Reserves for two years.

Duff led Cheltenham Town to their first ever automatic promotion from League Two as manager on 27 April 2021. His team subsequently finished the season as League Two champions.

He is believed to be the only player to have played in each of the top eight tiers of English football in ascending order

Josh Benson

Josh Benson, Barnsley’s current equal top scorer, won the Sky Bet League One Goal of the Month for his sensational strike against Charlton Athletic in September.

Originally from Essex he started at Arsenal as a schoolboy before making joining Burnley. He played on loan at Grimsby before joining Barnsley in July 21.

Devante Cole Devante Cole, son of Andy Cole who played for Manchester United & Newcastle, is Barnsley’s current equal top scorer. He was Barnsley September player of the month. He first played for Barnsley on loan from Manchester City in 2014 after playing for 7 other clubs in between, both north and south of the border, he joined Barnsley permanently in 2021. Somebody was a bit indecisive.

Liam Kitching made 44 appearances for FGR between 2019-20.

Nicky Cadden made 77 appearances between 2020-22 and scored 9 goals. His twin brother is a professional footballer as was his father so be suspicious if he comes out for the second half with a different hair cut or looking older.

James Norwood made 172 appearances for FGR (initially on loan from Exeter & then permanently) between 2010- 2015 and scored 48 goals. He is FGR’s second top all-time scorer behind Christian Doidge.

Jamaica International Ethan Pinnock (FGR 2016-17, 37 apps, 3 goals) later played for Barnsley- now at Premier League Brentford. Ethan was a key player in FGR’s promotion to the EFL.

Jack Aitchison played 74 times and scored 10 goals over 2 loan spells (firstly from Celtic and later from Barnsley) at FGR. Jack was very popular with FGR supporters, almost as popular as his Mother and the rest of his family.

Goalkeeper Bradley Collins in season 2017-18 he played 39 times on loan at FGR from Chelsea helping FGR avoid relegation in their first season in L2. He was Barnsley’s player of the season 21/22.

‘Feed the Beast and he will score’ – Jon Parkin began his career at Barnsley and played for FGR 2014-16 making 84 appearances and scoring 38 goals. In his autobiography he wrote ‘The Forest Green Rovers fans were great, but they are a strange bunch – and I don’t mean that in a bad way.’

Wales International Kieffer Moore (FGR 2016-17, 33 appearances, 7 goals) later played for Barnsley, now at Bournemouth in the Premier League.

Barnsley FC founder, The Reverend Tiverton Preedy (left) could be very persuasive.

Barnsley were founded in 1887 by Rev Tiverton Preedy and moved into Oakwell stadium the following year. The club’s colours were originally blue but were changed to red and white in 1904.

Barnsley spent the 1890s in local leagues, before gaining admittance to the Football League Second Division in 1898. They twice reached the final of the FA Cup whilst still in the second tier, losing to Newcastle in 1910 and winning the competition with victory over WBA in 1912. The club suffered relegation in 1932 but secured promotion as Third Division North champions in 1933–34. They won the Third Division North title for a second time in 1938–39, having been relegated the previous season. Relegated again in 1953, they secured another Third Division North title in 1954–55. However, further relegations left them in the fourth tier of English football by 1966. Promotion from the Fourth Division was achieved in 1967–68, though they were relegated after just four seasons. The club secured two promotions in three years under the stewardship of Allan Clarke and then Norman Hunter, and from 1981 would spend sixteen consecutive years in the second tier.

Premier League Football was secured for the 1997–98 season with a second-place finish in the First Division, though they relegated after one season and dropped down to the third tier in 2002. Barnsley won the 2006 League One Play-off Final and remained in the Championship for eight seasons. Relegated in 2014, they won both the 2016 Football League Trophy and the 2016 League One Play off Final, though this time spent just two seasons in the Championship. In 2017, a majority stake in the club was sold to a consortium that included Chien Lee, Neerav Parekh and Billy Beane. Barnsley won promotion out of League One with a second-place finish in 2018–19, before being relegated out of the Championship again in 2022. Barnsley have spent more seasons and played more games at the second level of English football than any other team.

The Barnsley mascot is a dog called Toby Tyke, who stars in his own cartoon.

Wentworth Castle Gardens

• Elsecar Heritage Centre.
• Elsecar Heritage Railway
• Cannon Hall Museum, Park, and Gardens – featured in TV’s ‘A Farm Through Time’, it also has military exhibitions including ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’.
• Wentworth Castle Gardens. (National Trust). Gardens only, the castle is not normally open to the public.
• Monk Bretton Priory – Free entry – disused monastery owned by English Heritage.
• Pot House Hamlet – Craft shops.
• Under ‘Barnsley Facts’ below – see the story about the plan to turn Barnsley into a Tuscan style town.

Well known supporters past & present –

Michael Parkinson – Broadcaster.

Dickie Bird – cricket umpire (There is a statue to him in the town).
Darren Gough – cricketer
Shaun Dooley – actor
Daniel Kitson – actor (Phoenix Nights)
Ian Kelsey – actor (Emmerdale)

Brian Glover (Actor)

In 2002, the council made plans to convert Barnsley into a “Tuscan hill town”. This would have made it similar to towns in northern Italy. If completed, there would be a surrounding wall and lights beaming out from the town hall.

It is an interesting story and not as crazy as it might sound, although the architect Will Alsop’s vision was never fully realised there are vestiges of the concept in Barnsley.

Will Alsop did design many interesting buildings in UK and abroad.

Link to an article on the whole story – The twenty-year old plan to turn Barnsley into a Italian hill village that was never to be – YorkshireLive (examinerlive.co.uk)

Photos of some of Alsop’s buildings which did get built, in UK and abroad, are on his Wikipedia page Will Alsop – Wikipedia.

Sadly, Will Alsop – ‘A man unfamiliar with gyms’ – died in 2018.

Barnsley Clock

Overlooking the Mandela Gardens is the controversial £32,500 Barnsley Clock, which sits on the side of The Civic building. No longer working, the clock comprised red lights. A long line was the minutes, a shorter line was the hour, and the dot was the second. People didn’t realise it was a clock and when they did, they still couldn’t tell the time.

Barnsley is home to the first ever bottle bank, which was first used in 1977. There are now around 50,000 across the country.

 Barnsley in Films, TV & Books.  It’s arguably most famous for the book ‘A Kestrel for a Knave’ written by Barry Hines and its big screen adaptation, ‘Kes’ directed by Ken Loach. It tells the story of a young boy from Barnsley called Billy, who takes up falconry in order to escape his inevitable path of working down the local coal mine.

When the 1969 film “Kes” was released on video it had to be dubbed into standard English for the US audience. Because of the strength of the regional Barnsley accent and dialect spoken by the characters in the film, Americans found it difficult to understand.

Barnsley featured in a ‘Monty Python’ sketch in which the son of a family of actors was disowned by his parents after running away to Barnsley to become a coal miner.

Another popular film based in Barnsley is ‘Brassed Off’ directed by Mark Herman in 1996. The film focuses on the story of the Grimethorpe Colliery band, formed in 1917, and their struggles to cope with the closure of their pit in the early 1990s.

Sinking Feeling – There were 11 colliery pits in the Barnsley area, these are now all closed. The town used to be 200ft above sea level but due to subsidence in the hundreds of mines that are underneath the surface, surveyors recently found that the town was dropping by around 11ft a year and it’s estimated that by 2050 Barnsley will be a lake. Barnsley Council’s official position is that this may reduce the need for hose pipe bans, and they intend to build a water sports centre to bring much needed jobs to the town. Slogans such as ‘Barnsley – Barbados of the North‘ have been mooted.