midweek trip to Barnsley is not one to particularly look forward
too. However it has to be done and without Maher, possibily, and,
certainly, Gower. A chance for Cole and our on loan Spaniard to
shine maybe with a win being vital if Championship status is not
going to start slipping away before the decorations are even up let
alone down!
The Tykes certainly made there intention clear by first sacking
promotion winning Andy Richie, unfairly mant fans still feel, for not
spending the boards maney quickly enough! (He was replaced by the
caretaker Simon Davey.) Then by capturing a quartet of players on
loan. Swansea striker Leon Knight has been joined by midfielders
Ronnie Wallwork, from West Brom, and Cheltenham's Grant McCann along
with winger Kyel Reid. Reid, 18, is a product of the West Ham Academy
and plays on the left wing. Wallwork, 29, was made available for a
loan move by new Baggies manager Tony Mowbray after he slipped down
the pecking order at the Hawthorns.
Barnsley themselves go into the match on the back of a 1-0 victory
over Ipswich Town at Oakwell this past weekend with Simon Davey well
aware of the problems Freddie may cause.
'We have to make the players aware of a teams strengths and
weaknesses. That is the same when you look at individuals and
everybody knows that Freddie has been doing really well this season.
We have to make our players aware of what his attributes are and make
sure that we combat that'.
Player to watch: Michael McIndoe
Not a bad record against them where in 38 matches we have won 14,
lost 10, drawn 14. The last time we played them was when we stopped
a mini-rot and placed ourselves on the cusp of promotion with a 2-2
draw, after being two down at half time, on Easter Monday April 17
2006 at Oakwell. Gower and Eastwood scoring in front of 10,663, a
game I annoyingly missed as I was getting married!
A not so classic encounter was on New Years Day 1996, a freezing cold
Roots Hall crowd of 6,537 sat through a horrible goaless draw on the
eve of my 40th birthday, where, after a, er, few beers, I ended up at
Dover at eleven in the evening catching a ferry to Calais. Even
colder in Paris the next day!
The first actual time we played them was the F.A Cup of 1938/39 when
we knocked them out after a replay and no girly 10 days wait in those
days. (Sat 8-Jan-1938 Home FAC3 2-2 Martin Dickinson 15,236/Wed 12-
Jan-1938 Away FAC3r 1-2 Bell 18,910.)
The first league encounter took place two decades later when on Sat
September 5 away in D3 we had our biggest defeat against them, 1-4,
McCrory scoring in front of 5,391.
We have enjoyed three goal margins against them ourselves on no less
than FIVE occasions. Now sit back and see some of the classic Blues
scorers of all time mentioned here. (Baber anyone?)
Sat 19-Dec-1992 Home D1 3 0 Collymore(2) Powell 3,629;
Mon 13-Nov-1967 Home D4 4 1 Chisnall Baber Bentley McKinven(pen)
10,513; Fri 30-Sep-1966 Home D4 3 0 Smith(2) Baber 9,576;
Sat 16-Jan-1965 Away D3 4 1 Bradbury Smillie Beesley Gilfillan
2,898; Mon 9-Sep-1963 Home D3 4 1 Ashworth(2) Beesley(2) 10,441.
Going to the game;
Approximately three sides of the ground were re-developed 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 7,500. Opposite is the older 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 looking television gantry which obscures a probably more
attractive gable. At the Pontefract Road End (now named the
Enterprise plc Stand) of the ground is an all seated, covered stand
for home supporters, which has a capacity of 4,500. The other end,
the North Stand, was previously an open terrace, but is now a
relatively new single tier, covered stand, housing 6,000 supporters.
This is the most recent addition to the ground being opened in 1999
and has greatly enhanced the overall look of Oakwell. The North Stand
is shared between home and away supporters. The amount of seats given
to away supporters varies according to demand. An unusual feature of
the ground, is a purpose built stand for disabled supporters. This is
a three floor structure that sits at the corner between the East &
South Stands. There is also a new electric scoreboard at one corner
of the North Stand, on top of a newly constructed security control
room.
What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Away fans are housed in the new North Stand, where the facilities are
good. The normal allocation for away supporters is 2,000 tickets
although, if demand requires it, then the whole of this stand can be
allocated (6,000). This club I found 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 at Barnsley (especially in the town centre) and stewards
acting a little heavy handed, although I've never personally had any
problems. It is advisable to keep colours covered especially around
the town centre. The delicious 'Football's Famous Chicken Balti Pie'
(£2.20) is available inside the ground.
Where To Drink?
Drinking in the town centre is generally not recommended, especially
near the Bus & Train Stations. Paul Sammon, a lifelong Tyke,
recommends the Outpost on Sheffield Road. The pub is a ten minute
walk from the ground. Gary Holding a visiting Blackburn supporter
adds; 'There was no alcohol on sale inside the ground for the away
fans, but one minute away from the away end is the Metro Dome - an
all in one leisure centre, which has a bar inside which serves good
food and ale'.
How To Get There By Car & Where To Park
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 is a fair sized car park located
at the ground.
By Train
Barnsley railway station is about a ten minute walk away. This
station is served by trains running between Sheffield & 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.
(As ever thenks to the Internet Ground Guide, Wikipedia, and the SUFC
Database.)