All you need to know ahead of Rovers trip To Barnsley.
Venue: Oakwell
Capacity: 23,009
Address: Oakwell, Grove Street, Barnsley, S71 1ET
Main Telephone Number: 01226 211 211
Official Website: www.barnsleyfc.co.uk
Date: Saturday 9th November 2013 (Kick-Off: 3pm)
Sat Nav Postcode: S71 1ET
Weather: Cloudy with sunny spells with high of 8 degrees.
Team News Rovers will be missing Rob Jones, Harry Forrester and Jamie MCombe ahead of the game. No one is suspended.
Oakwell
Three sides of Oakwell were redeveloped in the 1990's, meaning the ground combines the modern elements of football stadia with the more traditional feel.
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 classic looking 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 precarious looking television gantry which obscures a probably more attractive gable.
At the Pontefract Road End (now named the CK Beckett Stand) is an all seated, covered stand for home supporters, which has a capacity of 4,500. This stand was opened in 1995.
The other end, the North Stand, was previously an open terrace, but is now a relatively new single tier, covered stand, housing 6,000 fans. 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 stadium 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 an electric scoreboard at one corner of the North Stand, on top of a security control room.
The teams come out from one corner of the ground between the North and West Stands.
Away Fans
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). The stand is relatively modern, and offers a good view of the action. Many away fans rave about their trips to Oakwell, and many are quoted as saying the staff are amongst the friendliest in the league.
Where to Drink
The Dove Inn on Doncaster Road is listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide and is an outlet for the Old Mill Brewery. It is only a five minute walk away from the ground down Oakwell Lane and is happily frequented by both home and away fans. Further along Doncaster Road (on the right after the Primary School on the left) is the Barnsley East Dene Working Mens Club, which is happy to admit visiting supporters (including accompanied children) without entry charge. You can also leave your car there at a cost of £1.50.
A few minutes’ walk 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. Alcohol is available in the away end in the form of Carlsberg bottles (£3.40), when the whole stand is allocated to away fans. Unfortunately if the stand is split between home and away supporters, then the only bar on the concourse is situated on the home side.
Travelling by Car
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 are a couple of car parks located at the ground, but they are mainly for permit holders only. In between the ground and the MetroDome is a car park for visiting supporters, called Queens Ground, which costs £4 for Cars, £8 for Mini Buses and £15 for Coaches. Otherwise you can try parking at the MetroDome itself (although it can be slow to get out of after the game has finished) or street parking.
Travelling 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.
Last Visit
The last time Rovers travelled to Oakwell was on 19th November 2011 in a Championship encounter. The hosts ran out eventual winners, as a brace from the in-form Craig Davies handed them victory. Matters got worse for Doncaster with just over ten minutes remaining, as Adam Lockwood saw red to compound a miserable afternoon for Rovers.