OAKWELL STADIUM

'Oakwell' is a multi-purpose sports development in Barnsley, South Yorkshire used primarily by Barnsley Football Club for playing their home fixtures, and their reserves.
While the name 'Oakwell' generally refers to the main stadium, it also includes several neighbouring venues which form the facilities of the Barnsley F.C. academy - an indoor training pitch, a smaller stadium with seating on the south and west sides for around 2200 spectators, and several training pitches used by the different Barnsley FC squads. The main stadium is nicknamed 'The Barn'.
Until 2003 the stadium and the vast amount of land that surrounds it was owned by Barnsley Football Club themselves, however after falling into administration in 2002 the council purchased the main Oakwell Stadium to allow the club to pay its creditors and remain participants in The Football League.

Contents

West Stand

East Stand

The Enterprise PLC Stand

The North Stand

The Corner Stand

Other uses

Future developments

Tragedy

Notes

External links

West Stand

The West Stand is the only original part of Oakwell Stadium left standing, however it was made 'all-seater' in 1995.
The stand is made up of two tiers, only the upper tier is covered but at the expense of several supporting columns for the roof structure, the seats are the originals from the early 1900s, from here you get a decent view with moderate legroom. In spite of the restricted views and modest facilities, the West Stand remains a popular vantage point for many fans. The lower tier of the West Stand is uncovered and offers a great view of the action.
The roof of the West Stand is corrugated iron this also houses the main television gantry which is accessed from the upper tier seating area by a temporary ladder.
At the end of the 1990s, the then stadium owners Barnsley Football Club were considering re-developing the West Stand after several seasons of high attendances, however with the rapid decline in fortunes of the football club, subsequent sale of the stadium and new club ownership these plans are unlikely to come to fruition in the near future.
The West Stand has a total seating capacity of 4752.

East Stand

The East Stand is a two tier development completed in 1993. Funded in part by the football trust, the stand has a capacity of 7492 and replaced a large covered terrace. The East Stand was designed by NYP Architects,as was the North Stand and the Corner Stand. With the completion of the East Stand, Barnsley FC became the first football club in Yorkshire to incorporate 'executive boxes' into their stadium. The East stand is very modern, and has plenty of legroom.
Due to the sloped land on which Oakwell Stadium is built, the rear of the East Stand is much taller than it is from the pitchside meaning a climb to the upper tier seating area requires many more steps than a spectator may anticipate, however several lifts are available.

The Enterprise PLC Stand

Built in 1995, The Enterprise Stand is the current name for what is traditionally known as the 'Pontefract Road End' or 'Ponty End'. Some fans continue to call it the 'ORA Stand' - in reference to the original sponsors of it.
With a capacity of 4508, The Enterprise Stand is a large covered single tier seating area behind the goal on the south side of the stadium.
This part of the stadium also houses the players gym, the club superstore, box office, and general administration offices.
It is understood that this stand had been designed specifically with future development in mind, therefore should the club ever have the need to increase the grounds capacity then it would be fundamentally possible to add a second tier without making any major alterations to the existing structure.

The North Stand

The North Stand is the most recent addition to Oakwell Stadium and is a large covered singled tiered seating area with a capacity for 6000 spectators.
As this stand is generally reserved for away supporters its capacity is rarely utilized. Although during the 2006/07, Sheffield Wednesday F.C., Sunderland F.C., Derby County F.C. and Birmingham City F.C. fans have all filled the end.
At a cost of £4.5 million (including several academy facilities that it accommodates), it has been a cause for debate ever since its construction, however at the time Barnsley FC had only just been demoted from the FA Premier League and were planning for a possible return.

The Corner Stand

Built in the summer of 1998 and originally known as 'The Welcome Windows Stand', this unusual three level structure provides further executive areas and disabled facilities for viewing an event.
Access to this area was also incorporated into the neighbouring East Stand on several levels, the spectator capacity of the structure is 202.

Other uses

In recent years Oakwell Stadium has rarely been used by anyone other than Barnsley FC.
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats Rugby League Club used the stadium for their first game in the Super League (Europe) in 1998.
Non-league football club Wakefield and Emley used the stadium for an FA Cup tie against Rotherham in 1998, choosing a larger neutral venue as opposed to the traditional option of 'switching' the tie to the home of the team which was drawn away.

Future developments

As Oakwell Stadium is now owned jointly by Barnsley Council and Patrick Cryne, and average attendances have only accounted for around 45% of the capacity for the last three years, little in the way of future development is expected.
The largely wooden upper tier of the West Stand with its corrigated iron roof is the only section of the stadium likely to be addressed in the near future, however, despite being over 100 years old the general structure of the stand remains in acceptable condition.
Rumours have been spread concerning the West Stand, they state that Barnsley F.C. have purchased the school behind the West Stand to demolish it to make room for a new stand or improving the stand. However, this is unlikely as it is a well known fact that Barnsley has very little money available after the ITV digital crisis, so improving the team is more of a concern for the chairmen at the moment, which he has stated.
There were plans for the West Stand to be rebuilt during their one year in the Premiership, however, soon after Barnsley were one of many clubs affected by ITV Digital crisis, resulting in near closure. This meant all plans were put on hold, and remain so to this day.

Tragedy

On December 27, 1920, Horace Fairhurst, a young full-back for the visiting Blackpool, received a blow to the head during the league encounter. He died at home eleven days later as a result of the injury.^[1]

Notes

1. Calley, Roy (1992). ''Blackpool: A Complete Record 1887-1992'', Breedon Books Sport, p. 16

External links

★ Photographs and details of Oakwell Stadium

★ Satellite image of Oakwell

★ Vital Barnsley Site