Oakwell facts for kids
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Oakwell Stadium (top left) and the Barnsley FC Academy
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| Full name | Oakwell Stadium |
|---|---|
| Location | Grove Street Barnsley, South Yorkshire S71 1ET |
| Coordinates | 53°33′8″N 1°28′3″W / 53.55222°N 1.46750°W |
| Owner | Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council |
| Operator | Barnsley F.C. |
| Capacity | 23,287 |
| Record attendance | 40,225 (Barnsley vs Stoke City, 15th February 1936) |
| Field size | 110 x 75 yards |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1887 |
| Opened | 1888 |
| Renovated | 1992–1999 |
| Tenants | |
| Barnsley (1887–present) | |
Oakwell is a famous sports stadium in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England. It's mainly used by Barnsley Football Club for their home games. The club's reserve teams also play here. Since 2023, the Barnsley F.C. Women's team has also called Oakwell their home.
The name "Oakwell" usually means the main stadium. But it also includes other nearby areas. These areas are part of the Barnsley FC Academy. They have an indoor training pitch and a smaller stadium. This smaller stadium has seats for about 2,200 people. There are also several training pitches for different Barnsley FC teams.
Oakwell was the first stadium in English football to have a special stand for fans with disabilities. This shows how thoughtful the club is.
Until 2003, Barnsley Football Club owned the stadium and the land around it. However, the club faced financial difficulties in 2002. The local council then bought Oakwell Stadium. This helped the club pay its debts and stay in the Football League.
Contents
Exploring the West Stand at Oakwell
The West Stand has two levels, called tiers. Only the top tier has a roof. This roof is held up by several columns. These columns can sometimes block your view a little.
The seats in this stand are very old, from the early 1900s. They offer a good view, but the legroom might be a bit tight. Even with these small issues, many fans still love sitting in the West Stand.
The lower part of the West Stand does not have a roof. It gives you a clear view of all the action on the pitch. The roof of the West Stand is made of corrugated iron. This is also where the main television cameras are set up.
In the late 1990s, the club thought about making the West Stand new. This was because many fans were coming to games. But the club's situation changed, and the stadium was sold. So, these plans did not happen.
The West Stand also has a traditional tunnel for players. This tunnel is used for some areas under the stand. However, the main tunnel for players is now in the north-west corner. This is because the changing rooms moved to the North Stand.
The West Stand is special because it's one of the few remaining stands designed by Archibald Leitch. He was a famous stadium architect. It can hold 4,752 people.
In September 2021, the club announced that the stand would be closed. This was due to safety worries. The stadium's total capacity then dropped from 23,287 to 18,515. However, the club announced in December 2021 that the West Stand would reopen. It welcomed fans again on January 15, 2022.
Discovering the East Stand
The East Stand has two levels and was finished in 1993. It was partly paid for by the Football Trust. This stand can hold 7,492 people. It replaced an older, covered area called the Brewery Stand.
NYP Architects designed the East Stand. They also designed the North Stand and the Corner Stand. When the East Stand was finished, Barnsley FC became the first club in Yorkshire to have 'executive boxes'. These are special private viewing areas.
Oakwell Stadium is built on sloping land. This means the back of the East Stand is much taller than it looks from the pitch. So, getting to the top seats can mean climbing many steps. But don't worry, there are lifts available to help you.
The Norman Rimmington Stand
Built in 1995, this stand is now called The Norman Rimmington Stand. People used to call it the 'Pontefract Road End' or 'Ponty End'. Some fans still call it the 'ORA Stand' after its first sponsors. It was also known as the Van Damme Stand.
In 2023, the stand was renamed to honor Norman Rimmington. He was a former Barnsley player, coach, and a club legend. This stand can hold 4,508 people. It is a large, covered seating area behind the goal on the south side of the stadium.
This part of the stadium also has the club's superstore. Here you can buy team merchandise. It also houses the ticket office and the club's main offices.
Exploring the North Stand
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The North Stand is the newest part of Oakwell Stadium. It is a large, covered seating area with one level. It can hold 6,257 fans.
This stand is usually kept for visiting supporters. Because of this, it is not always completely full.
It cost £4.5 million to build, including some academy facilities. Its construction caused some discussion. However, when it was built, Barnsley had just been relegated from the FA Premier League. They were hoping to return soon.
The Wakefield Audi Corner Stand
This stand was built in the summer of 1998. It was first known as 'The Welcome Windows Stand'. It offers more special executive areas. It also has facilities for disabled fans to watch games.
You can also get to this area from the nearby East Stand. This stand can hold 202 spectators.
In August 2015, Barnsley announced a new sponsor for the stand. It was renamed the Brittania Drilling Limited Stand. Then, in October 2018, the sponsor changed again. It became the Wakefield Audi Corner Stand.
Other Exciting Uses of Oakwell
Since the 1990s, Oakwell Stadium has mostly been used by Barnsley FC. But sometimes, other events happen here. These include charity football matches with famous people.
The Wakefield Trinity Wildcats rugby league team played their first game in the Super League here in 1998.
A non-league football club, Wakefield and Emley, used the stadium for an FA Cup game in 1998. They chose Oakwell because it was a bigger, neutral place.
Premier League team Manchester City also used Oakwell. They played a UEFA Cup qualifying game here in July 2008. Their own stadium's pitch was being re-turfed after summer events.
Getting to Oakwell
Barnsley Interchange is about half a mile from Oakwell. This is about a ten-minute walk. You walk uphill along Belgrave Road first. Then you go downhill on Bala Street. It's pretty much a straight path to the stadium.
See also
In Spanish: Oakwell Stadium para niños
