Your Guide to Barnsley, Oakwell (A)

[Friendsoffulham]

Your Guide to Barnsley, Oakwell (A)
by the Football Ground Guide



Capacity: 23,009 (all seated)
Address: Grove Street, Barnsley, S71 1ET
Telephone: 01226 211 211
Fax: 01226 211 444
Ticket Office: 01226 211 183
Pitch Size: 110 x 75 yards
Pitch Type: Grass
Club Nickname: The Tykes or Reds
Year Ground Opened: 1888
Undersoil Heating: Yes
Shirt Sponsors: C.K Beckett
Kit Manufacturer: Puma
Home Kit: Red and White
Away Kit: White and Green
Third Kit: Royal and Navy Blue

WHAT IS THE OAKWELL FOOTBALL GROUND LIKE?
Approximately three sides of the Oakwell ground were redeveloped in the 1990's. On one side is the particularly attractive two-tiered covered East Stand running along one side of the pitch. Opened in March 1993, this stand has a capacity of 7,100. Opposite is the classic looking West Stand, part of which dates back to 1904. It was made all seated in the mid 1990's, but is only covered at the rear. On its roof is perched an ugly precarious looking television gantry which obscures a probably more attractive gable. At the Pontefract Road End (now named the CK Beckett Stand) is an all seated, covered stand for home supporters, which has a capacity of 4,500. This stand was opened in 1995. The other end, the North Stand, was previously an open terrace, but is now a relatively new single tier, covered stand, housing around 6,000 fans. This is the most recent addition to the ground being opened in 1999 and has greatly enhanced the overall look of Oakwell. 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. There is also an electric scoreboard at one corner of the North Stand, on top of a security control room. The teams come out from one corner of the ground between the North and West Stands.

WHAT IS IT LIKE FOR VISITING SUPPORTERS?
Away fans are housed in the modern North Stand, where the facilities and view of the playing action are generally good. The concourse is of a fair size and has access to an open air area if fans need to smoke. The normal allocation for away supporters is 2,000 tickets and fans are normally housed on one side of this stand on the East side. If demand requires it, then the whole of this stand can be allocated, increasing the number of tickets available to 4,700. The acoustics of the stand are not bad meaning that visiting fans can really make some noise.

I found this club to be particularly friendly from the car park attendant to the programme seller. Even the P.A. announcer had a sense of humour (although a little optimistic), when he announced that perhaps the visiting fans would like to come up again to see the next Barnsley home game, so that we could see a decent game of football!

However, I have reports of fans getting hassle in the town centre. Although I've never personally had any problems at Oakwell, it may be advisable to keep colours covered especially around the town centre.

PUBS FOR AWAY FANS
Popular with away fans and in easy walking distance of Oakwell is the Metrodome Leisure Complex, which has a bar inside and also offers food.

Neil Tubby a visiting Norwich City fan, recommends 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 Mens 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. Kevin Downsworth a visiting Hull City fan adds; 'The Barnsley East Dene Club was very welcoming to us as away fans for a pre-game pint. Handy parking too and only about a ten minute walk away from Oakwell". There is also the Harbour Hills Working Mens Club on Vernon Street, which also normally admits visiting supporters.

Drinking in the town centre is generally not recommended, especially near the Bus & Train Stations, although on my last visit I had a hassle free pint (or two) in the Joseph Bramah (Lloyds No.1) Wetherspoons in the centre of town, but I should point out that I wasn't wearing colours. Alcohol is available in the away end in the form of Carlsberg bottles (£3.80), when the whole stand is allocated to away fans. Unfortunately if the stand is split between home and away supporters, then the only bar on the concourse is situated on the home side. Kieran Bleasby a visiting Ipswich Town fan informs me; 'At the back of the stand on the concourse just past the main food and drink outlets, is a small enclosed room called the 'Beer Bar. It is for over 18's only and has a doorman, but made a welcome change'. 

DIRECTIONS AND CAR PARKING
Leave the M1 at Junction 37 and take the A628 towards Barnsley. Stay on this road (the ground is well signposted) and you will eventually see the ground on your right. There are a couple of car parks located at the ground, but they are mainly for permit holders only. Inbetween the ground and the MetroDome is a car park for visiting supporters, called Queens Ground, which costs £5 Cars and £20 Coaches (post code S71 1AN). Otherwise you can try parking at the MetroDome itself (although it can be slow to get out of after the game has finished) or street parking.

Oakwell Ground Post Code for SAT NAV: S71 1ET

BY TRAIN
Barnsley Railway Station is about a ten minute walk away from Oakwell. This station is served by trains running between Sheffield and Leeds.

From the train station turn left away from the town centre and head towards the bridge that the dual-carriageway runs over. Go under the bridge and turn left up the slip road and then take the first road on the right and head towards the Metro Dome leisure complex at the top of the hill. Oakwell is now clearly visible. Thanks to Ian Ambler & Bryn Williams for providing the directions.

Booking train tickets in advance will normally save you money! Find train times, prices and book tickets with Trainline. Visit the Trainline website below to see how much you can save on the price of your tickets:

TICKET PRICES
Barnsley operate a category system of ticket pricing (A*, A, B,C & D) whereby the most popular matches will cost more to watch than the least popular ones. Category A prices are shown below with Categories A, B, C & D prices shown in brackets:

All areas of Oakwell*

Adults £36 (A £30) (B £28) (C £25) (D £23)
Over 65's/Under 22's £24 (A £22) (B £20) (C £18) (D £16)
Under 17's £10 (all categories)
Under 12's £5 (all categories)**

* These prices are for tickets purchased in advance of matchday. Tickets bought on the day of the game cost £2 more.

** Only available when purchased with an adult ticket.

PROGRAMME PRICE
Official Programme £3.

Visit the Football Ground Guide here: http://www.footballgroundguide.com/leagues/oakwell-barnsley.html#apubs-for-away-fans