Oakwell, Barnsley
Oakwell is reminiscent of many northern football grounds, with row upon row of terraced housing leading the way down to the ground. With dark concourse under the stands, the only light that peeps in are through the cracks of the large iron doors used to let spectators out after the game.
Having visited much more modern stadia, the ground is a romantic northern throw-back to the yester-year of football, and the memories of that one of season Barnsley had in the Premier League; the days of Ashley Ward!
The purpose of the Groundsharer’s visit was consequential of Man City sneaking in the back door of Europe unexpectedly, and not having a venue to play their qualifier with the City of Manchester Stadium booked out for a Bon Jovi concert.
Having wangled some flexi-time at work, me and my mate headed for Victoria train station and jumped aboard for Huddersfield where we changed and headed to Barnsley. Cans in hand away we went. We jumped off the train, and had to down the lot to avoid being searched by the waiting police.
The only place to get a pint near the ground was the cafe of the local swimming baths. At one end were mothers and toddlers, the other, the City mob gearing up for a nothing match against EB Streymur of the Faroe Islands.
Kick off was soon upon us we headed down to the ground. Despite being a fair jaunt on a Thursday night, and the game being on TV, a fair few turned out. It was a shame about the match itself though. Martin Petrov flew down the left on countless occassions and sliced the ball in to the stand behind the goal. Everytime. At least he was consistent.
If memory serves it was Ched Evans who broke the deadlock, and I can’t recall who got City’s in a 2-0 win. Soon enough we were being police shepharded back on the trains, because you know how these EB/City games play out! The train ride home was a party in itself, and we did more signing back along the Huddersfield line than we did during the game!
Ground Name: Oakwell
Club: Barnsley
Capacity: 23,009
Location: Barnsley, Yorkshire
Info:
Visited: Summer 2008 as City were forced to play here due to a Bon Jovi concert at their own ground
Famous Song: Not Going Down, Not Going Up, Barnsley FC, We don’t give a f***
Groundsharing 