Barnsley FC
Sample write up from the book.
Barnsley FC
Oakwell, Grove Street, Barnsley, S71 1ET
Tel: 01226 211 211 (Club), 01226 211 211 (Ticket Office)
website: www.barnsleyfc.co.uk
Disabled Persons' Contact: None
Disabled Supporters Association: a branch of the Official Supporters club - details available from club
Capacity: 23,009
Away allocation: max 6,000
Spaces for wheelchair users: 107 in total; 23 away
Ground Description:
Oakwell has three relatively new stands and the much older West stand. There is an enclosed corner stand for disabled supporters. The area is hilly, and getting to the ground from Barnsley Interchange station could be quite hard work. The only access is from Grove Street off the A628, as the clubs training facilities and a park back on to the North and East stands.
Travel. The local travel enquiry number is Tel: 01709 515 151. The ground is about half a mile from Barnsley Interchange station which has level access to platforms 1 and 2 and a lift to platform 3. An accessible taxi is available from A1ACE, Tel: 01226 200 000 and an accessible minibus from AA Taxis, Tel: 01226 203203.
Parking. Parking is designated for disabled fans on three sides of the ground. The school opposite the west stand on Grasmere Road, is also used as a matchday car park. About 50 spaces are taken by season ticket holders. Visitors' spaces are in the indoor training hall car park at the northwest corner of the ground.
Tickets for wheelchair users:
- Barnsley supporters. Tickets are available on most matchdays as season ticket holders only take up 40 spaces. Reduced rates for wheelchair users and helpers. Some disabled fans use an adapted minibus for away games. Contact the DSC for details. Allocations are frequently sold out for away matches.
- Away supporters. Up to 18 tickets are sent to the away club, but usually, not more than 10 are sold.
Spaces for wheelchair users. The Corner stand (at the corner of Van Damme and East stands), added to Oakwell in 1997 has good facilities for disabled supporters. It is fully enclosed, has two tiers for viewing and is an excellent vantage point for watching the match. There are also mid-tier and pitchside spaces in the North and Van Damme stands. Obstruction of the view is not a problem for those in the Corner stand, but is a potential problem for those in either end stand. The corner stand is totally covered and the mid-tier platforms are partially to fully covered.
Entrances for wheelchair users. Corner Entrance at the corner of the Van Damme stand nearest to the East stand, to the right if facing the stand. Van Damme From entrance 9 at the foot of the stand. North (away) Use gate 22, on the far left of the main away turnstiles towards the grey metal fence.
Ambulant disabled supporters. Concessionary prices. Suitable rows in the Van Damme stand are step free to row R and -2 steps to row Q. In the West stand row O can be reached step free.
Visually impaired supporters. There are five fixed headsets with club commentary in the Corner stand.
Hearing impaired supporters. No special provisions identified.
Refreshments. We were told that steward assistance was available.
Toilets. There are wheelchair toilets in the Corner stand. Toilets in the concourses are situated behind mid-tier platforms. All D75+ ST75+ with grey outward opening doors.
The Club Shop is at the Van Damme stand and is step free throughout.
The Ticket Office is to the right of the club shop. It can be entered by using the club shop entrance and turning right.
We have no information about corporate hospitality.