Barnsley

We were directed to a big field near the ground to park up, a little walk downhill to the ground. The stewards are one of the friendliest we have come across, inside the ground concourse it was a bit cramped for a wheelchair or scooter user, the disabled toilet was ok. To get to the platform you have a short slope then onto the disabled section. I can’t recall seeing any seats for a career so my wife had to climb up a few steps to sit next to me in the stand. The view is raised up quite high so the view is very good, once again the young lady steward went above and beyond her duties to help us, she was excellent, even joining in with signing ..lol..
The downside to the disabled platform is that able bodied fans can, and do walk in front of us . Upon leaving I couldn’t push my wife up the hill to the car, so the police / stewards let me get the car and drive down the bottom to load her and said chair in to the boot.
As they only use a one way system on match days it took ages to get on the move properly.

Over experience… Good, and would go again .

I am a powerchair user and my husband is a long cane user. This was our first visit to Oakwell as away fans. We travelled to the ground in an accessible mini-bus that is part of our Club’s official away travel. We always check the accessibility information on a Club’s website before visiting. We did find a Visitors Guide on the Matches’ tab and it does have a disabled fans page in that but found more helpful details on LPF’s Barnsley’s page.

Arrival and Entry to the Ground
The ground it seems is on the other side of the town to where we left the M1 North but was well signposted. It is in a residential area. We initially turned right in front of the ground but should have turned left towards a cul-de-sac and entered the bottom part of the away car park in front of the away end. The car park is on a steep hill. It appeared private cars were entering at the top and parked on grass. It seemed there was no specific Blue Badge parking bays. We were dropped off on what was essentially the road into the car park. This was covered with leaves and in the wet, we were being warned it was slippy. Out of the car park, across the road we went slightly left and headed to the far corner of the stadium where our bags were searched and we entered through a large open area to one side of the underneath of the away stand. Comparatively large and light with facilities located on both sides. The away stand is very large, not sure how crowded this area would be with a sell-out crowd.

Our minibus was charged £10 to park which as often happens we paid and then claim back from our Box Office with the receipt. As the car park attendant said he would have to go and get a receipt as he didn’t have any, our driver told us to not wait round in the rain, to go on our way, he would wait for the receipt and give it to us at the end. When we were passed the receipt it was 2 x £5 car receipts as the attendant said he did not have any £10 receipts for mini-buses. Had I been there when he had offered this I would have insisted on the correct receipt or asked for my money back, not because our Box Office staff will not believe us but because receipts are subject to an audit and have to be correct! I have since emailed Barnsley and they have emailed me a £10 parking receipt.

Seating Area
The entrance to the wheelchair viewing platform was well signposted on the right about a third of the way along and then right again. Covered and an excellent un-interrupted view of the pitch, as the platform is above the lowest block of seats which go down to pitch level. With only 390 away fans, the seats in front of us were unused, not sure if these were filled whether it would affect the view. I understood the platform takes 9 wheelchair users, for 3 of us, there were lots of room for us to choose where we sat.
Sadly, what we believe is totally unacceptable is the location of the pa/carer seats. They are on the row behind, which is higher up and not accessible directly from the wheelchair viewing platform. I did email the DLO, Vicky Campbell, before our visit, expressing our concern about this arrangement (having read it on LPF’s reviews). Her response was that carers/PAs and wheelchair spaces are in close proximity “so you will still be able to communicate”. This to me shows a lack of awareness about wheelchair users and the noisy environment of a football match. If you struggle to hear the person next to you at times, how are you going to hear when they are at a different level to you, what about those many wheelchair users who are non-verbal or have weakened voices, who have no independent movement to attract the attention of the person behind them, who need constant observation/supervision/ reassurance. On top of this it is treating disabled fans less favourably than able bodied fans, can you imagine requiring able bodied couples/parents to sit on a different row to the person who they came to the match with, it just would not happen, so why is it considered ok for wheelchair users? Come on Barnsley sort it out! It can be done. Our first request for a chair so that we could sit together was refused on the grounds that if fighting broke out it could be thrown, when we promised we would not fight or throw a chair and our friends vouched for this, a very comfortable chair was brought for which we were very grateful, so it can be done! I asked Vicky (DLO) in my email about this change and she replied saying she had passed my views onto the Stadium Manager.
The next issue which previous reviewers have highlighted is stewards allowing the wheelchair seating platform to be used as a walkway by fans to get from one block to another. We took the advice of previous reviewers and moved forward to sit at the barrier so people had to walk behind us rather than in front of us. The only downside was that on an exceptionally wet afternoon, we were then in the wind and the rain, as the wind was blowing the rain on to us.

Audio Commentary for VI Fans
I had emailed Vicky, the DLO the week before to request a headset commentary for my husband and to request that this be available at the away end so we were not having to wonder round to find it. Vicky emailed quickly back confirming this was possible and the minute his cane was spotted by the Supervisor as we arrived, she asked had he requested a headset, showed him how it worked and confirmed he could hand it to a steward at the end. The unit worked with no problems, the commentary was helpful and fair and even made mention that they had away and home fans listening. Excellent, well done Barnsley, all as it should be.

Accessible Toilet
On your right as you enter the stand. (Radar key not required). Good sized square, with loo in far right corner. Clean with two bins and tap produced lovely warm water. No alarm cord. Hand soap dispenser. No hand drier and when I went before the start of the game, there was nothing to dry my hands with. When I pointed this out, someone got me serviettes from the bar to use and said they would radio through to ask for them to be provided. When I re-visited in the second half there was a pile of hand towels on top of the loo. I notice that previous reviewers have said that one accessible loo is not enough in a stand of this size. Given that accessible loos are needed by many more than wheelchair users, I would agree and encourage the provision of at least a second accessible loo at the away end.

Catering
Along the left hand side as you enter the away end, including the bar with the prices clearly shown. We take our own so didn’t use them but others have said the range and prices were good, cheaper than at some other grounds. We were told that even with under 400 away fans there were long queues so not sure how this would be when there was a large away crowd. What I did notice was when I went to the loo in the second half, all the plastic drinks holders had been gathered up and weren’t left rolling round the floor to get in my wheels.

Stewards
As we have shown with the headset, chair and paper towels, the stewards, as others have mentioned, were really helpful and showed they were prepared to go over and above to be helpful. Discussing our experiences on the way home, a fellow fan said that he had been impressed that one of the stewards had accompanied him all the way to the toilet and back to ensure he was safe as he can only walk slowly.

Leaving the Stadium
The only problem we had leaving the stadium was that the route back to our mini-bus was relatively dark, which did cause my husband to stumble twice, which he would not if it had been well lit. Thankfully cars were held back and the away coaches were able to get away without delay.

Overall
Yes we would go again, hopefully to see the improvements we have requested!

Stewards were excellent, right from the away fans car park right through to inside the ground, had a chat and a laugh, everything you want in stewards!

Was hoping this ground would have changes since our last visit two years ago, but no it’s got worse, the disabled fans carers seats have been taken away therefore making the carer sit behind and higher up. Still only one disabled toilet and no handdryer, not enough stewards especially as this was a local derby, only yards from us and on the row below us wheelchair users a few of our own fans deceided to start a punch up and no stewards around, this was quite upsetting frightening and so could of kicked off onto
us. Game spoilt as fans walking in front uf us wheelchair users to get to under the stand.
Don’t get me started on the car parking, still at the bottom of a grassed hill and took just over and hour to get away from, when we asked a steward about this all he could say was “change your team to Burton Albion as they only bring about 40 fans” I think the blue badge holders in cars should be let out with the coaches, but no once coaches are let out the gate is slammed shut, they should have disabled parking within the ground, don’t know how they got away with this when they were in the PL. We’ve said “we ain’t going again even though it’s a local derby.

Nice stadium and staff helpful thats where it stops ! There is one Disabled toilet in the away end plus considering aston villa always bring a good following there was enough stewards , unfortunatley some of our empty headed fans surged down to the bottom at one stage we had a couple run on the pitch but they were not enough stewards to get them back to their sets which resulted in our ambulant supports not being able to see because these supporters were not made to go back to their seat because their were not enough stewards which resulted in our ambulant care ticket holders getting injured by mindless supporters

We bought our tickets from York prior to the match and I phoned Barnsley for a car park space. This was on a first come first served basis.

On arriving at the ground we entered an almost empty car park at the ground. The steward said we needed to be in the away car park but it was dark & rough for wheelchairs so he kindly let us stay in the home car park which was tarmacced. Cost £4, we parked in the away car park last year which was on a grass verge underneath trees so this was much better.

The club shop was wheelchair friendly & spacious.

We knew where to enter the ground and a steward checked our tickets & opened the gate for us.

Inside the concourse I asked the steward if there were any disabled toilets and he had to go away to find out.

The teabar was wheelchair friendly and we had a pukka pie each £3.50. Very nice.

We went into the elevated wheelchair section, and the carers sat in the row of seats behind, but so did everyone else.

My son was the only person in a wheelchair at the away end.

A good view except for people walking infront of him and at one point a group of lads stood blocking our view, This was ignored by the 2 lady stewards at the side of us as they were too busy talking to each other, but a man behind us shouted at them to move.

Slow getting out of the car park after the match even for a small crowd on an evening match.

Coach park is practically right outside the entrance to the away end, so gaining access to the stadium was no problem at all.

The viewing area is an elevated area in the away end. I found the view from where I was suppose to sit with the wheelchair back against the wall a bit obstructed as other fans cut across to gain access to the concourse. So I moved forward and sat against the barrier, the view was unobstructed from here and there was plenty of space behind for other fans to use as thoroughfare. The carers sit behind where the wheelchairs are meant to be, which I don’t like as it hard to communicate with them, but as my carer on the night had a ticket with our other friends this wasn’t a big problem as I was fine sitting by myself.

Access to the disabled toilet was difficult as the concourse before kick off and at half time was very full so getting through the crowds to either of the toilets was hard as it was just so crowded. But other than that there was no other problems with my trip to Oakwell. The stewards were extremely helpful and friendly and the allocation of tickets received by Everton was excellent, much better than a lot of Premier League clubs.

We have just returned from Oakwell and although our team won by 2 goals we were lucky to have seen them as the wheelchair area was a throughfare all the match with the stewards doing not much about it. One of our wheelchair users put her wheelchair at one end to stop people passing through and we got lots of abuse from fans saying who did we think we were and using foul and abusive language. All it needed was a steward at each end of the wheelchair area or better still a little gate as at other clubs to deter people from passing through constantly. It was like the M1 on a busy day. !! The club cannot say there wasn’t enough stewards as there seemed to be more stewards than fans. At the front of the stand about 10 mins from the end of the match there was a solid line of police and stewards so those fans down there saw nothing. The Policing outside the stadium did a grand job though.

We bought our tickets from York before hand, I telephoned for a parking space prior to match but was told it was on a first come first served basis.

We went for a meal at The Chestnut Tree, a hungry horse pub and wheelchair user friendly.

Arriving at the ground early, we tried to enter the car park but were redirected down several streets to another car park. We were charged £4 and shown where to park – on a grass verge under some trees, so we had to remove the electric wheelchair from the car using the electronic hoist before reversing under the trees.

Entering the ground we found the club shop which was spacious and without steps to enter. The supporters bar was almost next door to it and was also accessible. I asked a steward where to enter the ground & he pointed out a large door next to the away turrnstiles.When we arrived at this door, another steward knocked on it and it was opened for us to enter & he checked our tickets. At no point were we told where to go, but we found the teabar & bar, both very expensive, so we didnt bother. The accessible toilets were close by too. I ventured towards an opening to the seats but there were steps down so I asked the steward where wheelchairs entered & he just told me to go further along and there was an entry without steps.

Entering the seating area, there was a large raised platform for wheelchairs and the carers sat on the first row of seats behind. All with our own supporters. Excellent view apart from people continuously walking in front of us, and very spacious as there were only 2 wheelchairs there.Getting away from the ground was quick, although we had to move the car first to put the wheelchair back in, causing a bit of an obstruction,

A good evenings match but the stewards could have been a bit more helpful.

Been to Oakwell many times . Sat in disabled seating . Good view of pitch unlike some grounds. Sadly this visit

will live with me as I was assaulted at half-time.

Have decided to post as this has changed everything about attending football as a disabled fan. I was not assaulted by a Barnsley fan but a so called Middlesbrough supporter. After an abject first half display I and many hundreds of other Boro’fans booed the team off at half-time. This woman shouted ‘shut up you f…..g t…s.’ I replied “you shut up , can’t we have a difference of opinion ?” This man then appeared from nowhere threatening me with what he was going to do to me. Tried to explain that it was the woman who he was with who was the instigator which even the

woman agreed with ! This had no effect on him and I remained seated , then he headbutted me and did off.

3 fellow fans assisted me .

To my dismay I did not report the assault as I was on my own and was worried if this thug

would approach me after the game.

I wrote a letter to Barnsley F.C’s safety officer on the Monday after the game giving my seat number , time of assault , description to them but apparently their cctv is not of great quality .

I was contacted by my own club re the matter and after discussion of various options was happy at that stage

for the club to deal with it. I identified the individual from a newspaper photo but it took 5 months for the person

to be seen and as I expected he had a ‘different version’ of events . Well he would would’nt he as he is not going

to admit to headbutting a disabled person ! Why did’nt I report it on the day ? Fear that he would be outside the ground and I was on my own.

The whole episode has left me dissolusioned with football since going to matches since 1966. The club invited me to meet with the individual ‘over a cup of tea and shake hands with him , draw a line under the matter .’ I refused the offer as it would mean little and did not want to sit in the same room as this ‘fan.’

I gather he has been warned as to his future behaviour. But I ask what type of person heabutts anyone , never mind

if he/she is disabled.

So it has taken from October 2013 to April 2014 to get to this point. I see this individual at every away game and

some home games . Hindsight is a great thing but wish I had reported the matter on the day . Football is not the same anymore.

Attended the pre season friendly at Oakwell. Ground very easy to find from the motorway. The away carpark was closed for the friendly but we were assisted by the stewards who gave us access to a carpark just off the away carpark, this was mainly grass but had a tarmac path so no great problems with my wheelchair. Access to the ground (north stand) is very easy and level. On entering the stand the wheelchair viewing area is well signposted and easy to get to. The view from the platforms is very good and carers etc sit in reserved seating just behind. Stewards were very helpfull and would without a doubt go again.

Attended match with a group of ambulant disabled supporters with learning disability and one with limited mobility and their helpers. Unallocated seating alloud us to all sit on the front row with good views of the pitch. However the stewards all congrigated in front of us obscuring the view. When this was pointed out to the stewards they did move following a heated debate!

Great view from elevated platform but still a slight sightline issue if row in front stand up. Shame that PA seats are up a step/behind a barrier rather than adjacent to wheelchair position

Not a bad ground for wheelchair access for away supporters. Parking is very close to the ground I parked on a grass embankment which is at the bottom of the main car park. Visability at Oakwell is very good, wheelchair users have their own spot halfway up the north stand so you dont feel isolated, another plus was the fact even when the fans below me in the lower tier stood up they still didnt block my view