Barnsley frustrate their fans once again as the League One club confirms a sudden closure of the East Stand for the fixture against Pompey.
They announced less than 24 hours before kick off that they would temporarily close the East Stand following a pre-match inspection which found unsafe sections of loose cladding.
Barnsley added that the East Stand, the stand’s car park and the hospitality sections will be out of bounds.
Season-ticket holders in the East Stand and match tickets will be permitted to view the game in the North Stand. Refunds will also be available.
⤵️ We regret to inform supporters that the East Stand will be closed for our Sky Bet League One fixture with Portsmouth on Tuesday 7 March.
Find out more below 👇
— Barnsley FC (@BarnsleyFC) March 6, 2023
CLUB STATEMENT:
We regret to inform supporters that the East Stand will be CLOSED for our Sky Bet League One fixture with Portsmouth on Tuesday 7 March.
There is a section of loose cladding which has been identified in our pre-match inspection and deemed unsafe. Therefore, the East Stand and the East Stand car park, will be closed to all personnel for this fixture, including East Stand hospitality.
The Club are hopeful that the necessary work required will be completed ahead of our league fixture against Plymouth Argyle at Oakwell on Saturday, kicking off at 3pm.
We are determined not to allow this to affect the fantastic momentum generated by the Club and supporters ahead of what is an important fixture.
Supporters who hold a 22/23 Season Ticket or match ticket in the East Stand for this game can watch the game in either the Barry Murphy North Stand, DX West Stand or CK Beckett South Stand. A refund is available for all supporters with East Stand tickets for this fixture should you choose not to attend.
Refunds will be provided based on the pro-rata cost of your 22/23 Season Ticket or the full price of your match ticket, if you choose not to attend. If you do attend the fixture, you will be ineligible for a refund.
If you would like to attend the game, bring your Season Ticket or Match Ticket prior to the game and receive your new match ticket from turnstiles. Supporters are advised to arrive in plenty of time as we anticipate delays.
There will be no pay-on-the-day facility available for any supporters.
Supporters are encouraged to swap their tickets as early as possible. Ticket swaps will be available from our Box Office from 10am.
We anticipate a large crowd in the hour immediately before kick-off, so please swap your ticket as early as possible on Tuesday.
For those tickets situated in the Barry Murphy North Stand, access will be found through the East Stand Car Park via a designated walkway. Tickets in the CK Beckett South Stand and DX West Stand will be accessed as normal.
We greatly appreciate the co-operation and understanding of all supporters in these less-than-ideal circumstances and apologise for any inconvenience caused.
We are no strangers to adversity, both as a town and a Club. Let’s make Tuesday night a special occasion in what is a huge game on the pitch for Michael Duff and the team.
FAQs
How much will you be refunded?
Refunds will be provided based on the pro-rata cost of your 22/23 Season Ticket or the full price of your match ticket, if you choose not to attend. If you do attend the fixture, you will be ineligible for a refund.
What time can you come and swap your ticket from?
Supporters are encouraged to swap their tickets as early as possible. Ticket swaps will be available from our Box Office from 10am.
How do I claim a refund?
Refunds will be available from 12pm on Wednesday 8 March. Contact the Club via telephone (01226 21183) or email on boxoffice@barnsleyfc.co.uk.
Can I choose my seat?
No. Upon arrival your original ticket East Stand will be scanned and you will be allocated a ticket in either the South, North or West Stand. The Club will endeavour to keep parties together where possible.
Is seating reserved?
All seating in home areas is reserved. Please sit in your allocated seat shown on your new match ticket.
What do I need to bring to swap my ticket?
If you would like to attend the game, you are required to bring your Season Ticket or Match Ticket for this fixture.
Will the problem be solved for the next home fixture?
The Club have received assurances that the necessary work required will be completed ahead of our league fixture against Plymouth Argyle at Oakwell on Saturday, kicking off at 3pm.
How do I access the Barry Murphy North Stand as a home supporter?
For those tickets situated in the Barry Murphy North Stand, access will be found through the East Stand Car Park. Stewards will be on hand to assist with directions.
Will away supporters be in the Barry Murphy North Stand too?
Away supporters will be housed in the Barry Murphy North Stand. There will be appropriate segregation in place between the two sets of supporters.
A Barnsley Supporters’ Trust statement on Monday night read: “We support the club’s decision to prioritise supporter safety ahead of tomorrow night’s fixture at Oakwell.
“As deeply frustrating as this is, through our conversations with the club earlier today, we know every possible solution was explored before a full closure was announced.
“Unfortunately, the safety of every supporter in the East Stand couldn’t be guaranteed and therefore the club were left with no other option.
“Whilst we’re supportive of this decision, it does highlight the need for the football club and council to come to an agreement on the lease at Oakwell, to ensure ongoing repairs and care of the stadium is an ongoing priority for years to come.
“We encourage those supporters sadly affected to arrange their ticket swap or refund as early as possible tomorrow (Tuesday) to help with what will likely be a challenging process for those working in the Oakwell offices.
“From kick off, let’s get behind Michael Duff and the players, and keep the momentum building from the last two months.”
Speaking last month, the club CEO Khaled El-Ahmad stressed that the club and Barnsley Council were in positive talks over a new long-term lease for the stadium, owned by Barnsley MBC and the Cryne family, with the current arrangement expected to finish in 2027.
El-Ahmad said, as per Yorkshire Post: “We have five years left on the lease. The council attended the (recent) fans’ forum and I speak to them regularly, and as far as I know, it’s been the best (relationship) it’s been for a long time.
“They have been supportive and positive and everything is heading in the right direction. One hundred per cent what we want is to stay here because Oakwell and Barnsley is the home. It is proactive and positive and we are in a good place and together we will get to even better places.”
The club closed the West Stand in 2021/22 due to a number of safety concerns as well as crowd management problems, causing problems for around 1,000 season-ticket holders with many wanting refunds.
As mentioned, Barnsley frustrate some fans as the club confirms sudden stand closure for Tuesday night’s fixture, this is the Twitter reaction…
@SBFCO1: So that’s 2 stands not safe to sit in 😂
@unhappyslender: 😂😂 it’s a bit late you announced it
@chrislowe1989: Can a season ticket holder provide details of other season ticket holders to exchange multiple tickets in one trip?
@bfcharri: Wow what a joke, expect us to create an atmosphere and then our biggest stand isn’t safe to use night before a game. Just when things started to look like less of a circus
@AlexSawyer2: Really frustrating, I travel from Newcastle and I am not able to finish work early I won’t be able to get to there for tonight’s game now! Hopefully sorted for Saturday
@RiddyTOBFCP: Club doing best, MD and staff will have done all they can and players will be up for it. We as fans can moan about something that won’t change, OR we can get behind em, wave our scarves, shine our lights for Beth and once again roll with the punches. See you there, You Reds!🔴
@GarethKilburn: Oh well always something going on. Ya can’t make this up main stand closed as unfit, and half west stand closed as well, it’s a good job our grounds too big for us. 😉🤔
@rivelin11: Thanks BFC, this gives me summat to whinge about, not had much for ages,
@upthejunction28: What – surely the club can get loose cladding safe in this timeframe .. I hope this isn’t yet another war with Mr Lee and the others
@o1kimi: I’m looking forward to the Ponty End chanting “Give us a song East Stand”
@laughty_c_boy: What if we can’t get down to swap due to work commitments? This is going to be a nightmare!
@Pollos_Enanos: I’ll give it a miss, finishing work at 6 and driving up from Nottingham already makes it tight without having to queue to exchange ticket and all the ensuing chaos. I realise there’s not much the club can do at such short notice.
@_GR63: There’s nothing more important than safety so I can understand why they’ve closed it. But why tell us at 11pm the night before? 2000 to 3000 all trying to get tickets tonight is gonna be mayhem.
@alfie1887: This could be a blessing in disguise for club to get home fans in other half of north stand for every home game
@BenIley2004: What a joke
@Liam_Fountain: This will not end well 😂
@taylor_a942: Absolute shambles 🤣 and we all know this stems from the club and BMBC not being able to work together and carry out proper safety work on the ground
@MillieMeggitt: Please swap tickets early as possible Tuesday but tells us 11pm night before😂arrr like can fart about tomorrow nowt better to do
@tyler_bfc: What the fuck ?
@Jayblair1996: This is gonna be chaos
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