Oakwell Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Oakwell
Construction

Full name	Oakwell Stadium
Location	Grove Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England S71 1ET
Coordinates	53°33′8″N 1°28′3″W / 53.55222°N 1.46750°W / 53.55222; -1.46750
Owner	Barnsley F.C.
Operator	Barnsley F.C.
Capacity	23,009
Field size	110 x 75 yards
Surface	Grass
Built	1888
Opened	1888
Renovated	1992-1998
Tenants
Barnsley (1888-present)

Oakwell is a big sports area in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England. It's mainly used by Barnsley Football Club for their home games. Their reserve team also plays here.

The name "Oakwell" usually refers to the main stadium. But it also includes other nearby places that are part of the Barnsley F.C. academy. These include an indoor training pitch and a smaller stadium with seats for about 2,200 people. There are also several training pitches for the different Barnsley FC teams.

Until 2003, Barnsley Football Club owned the stadium and the land around it. But in 2002, the club had some money troubles. To help them, the local council bought the main Oakwell Stadium. This helped the club pay off its debts and keep playing in The Football League.

Exploring Oakwell Stadium's Stands
Other Events at Oakwell Stadium
Future Plans for Oakwell
A Sad Event in History
Images for kids
See also

Exploring Oakwell Stadium's Stands

The West Stand: A Piece of History

The West Stand is the oldest part of Oakwell Stadium that is still standing. It was updated in 1995 to have seats everywhere.

This stand has two levels. Only the top level is covered by a roof. The seats here are very old, from the early 1900s. You get a good view from here, but there isn't much legroom. Even with the older design, many fans still love sitting in the West Stand. The lower level of the West Stand is open to the sky and gives a clear view of the game.

The roof of the West Stand is made of corrugated iron. This is also where the main television camera platform is located. You can reach it from the upper seating area using a temporary ladder.

The West Stand can hold 4,752 people.

The East Stand: Modern Comfort

The East Stand was finished in 1993. It has two levels and can hold 7,492 people. This stand replaced an older covered area called the Brewery Stand.

The East Stand was designed by NYP Architects, who also designed the North Stand and the Corner Stand. When it was built, Barnsley FC was the first football club in Yorkshire to add special "executive boxes" to their stadium. This stand is very modern and has lots of legroom.

Because the land Oakwell Stadium is built on slopes, the back of the East Stand looks much taller than it does from the field. This means you have to climb many steps to reach the upper level. But don't worry, there are lifts available!

The CK Beckett Stand: The 'Ponty End'

The CK Beckett Stand

Built in 1995, the CK Beckett Stand is also known as the 'Pontefract Road End' or 'Ponty End'. Some fans still call it the 'ORA Stand' after its first sponsors. It's also been called the Van Damme Stand.

This stand can hold 4,508 people. It's a large, covered seating area behind one of the goals on the south side of the stadium.

This part of the stadium also has the players' gym, the club shop, ticket office, and club offices. This stand was designed so that a second level could be added later if the club ever needs more seats.

The North Stand: For Away Fans

The North Stand is the newest part of Oakwell Stadium. It's a large, covered seating area with space for 6,000 fans.

This stand is usually for visiting team supporters. So, it's not always full. However, big teams like Sheffield Wednesday, Derby, Birmingham, Sunderland, and Newcastle United have filled it up in the past.

This stand cost £4.5 million to build. This price included some academy facilities. It caused some discussion when it was built. But at that time, Barnsley FC had just moved down from the Premier League and hoped to return.

The Corner Stand: Extra Space and Access

The Corner Stand was built in 1998. It was first known as 'The Welcome Windows Stand'. It's a unique three-level building. It offers more special areas and places for disabled fans to watch events.

You can also get to this area from the nearby East Stand on different levels. This stand can hold 202 spectators.

Other Events at Oakwell Stadium

Oakwell Stadium is mostly used by Barnsley FC. But sometimes, other events happen there.

In 1998, the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats Rugby League Club played their first game in the Super League here.
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.
In July 2008, Premier League team Manchester City played a UEFA Cup game here. Their own stadium's field wasn't ready after summer concerts.

Future Plans for Oakwell

In 2008, the club talked about tearing down and rebuilding the West Stand. Even though the stadium isn't always full, there are some problems with the roof and the wooden floor of the upper level. It might be cheaper to build a new stand than to keep fixing the old one.

No exact plans or dates have been shared yet. Earlier plans suggested a new stand with about 9,000 seats. But with current attendance numbers, a new stand with about the same number of seats as the current West Stand would make more sense.

A Sad Event in History

On December 27, 1920, a young player named Horace Fairhurst from Blackpool was hit on the head during a game at Oakwell. He sadly died at home eleven days later from this injury.