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Tykes
task
Barnsley
v Darlington
Coca-Cola Cup First
Round
Tuesday 14th August
2007, 7.45pm
Darlo seem to be drawn against Barnsley
in cup competitions each year. We played them in the FA Cup last season
and the previous season in this competition, lost 2-0.
The Tykes have remained resolutely
mid-table, but typically for our luck are on a good run at the moment
in the league. Ex-Hartlepool and Man City striker Chris Shuker has been
their main goal threat. With Barry Conlon on loan to Rotherham, there
won't be a chance to renew old acquaintances.
Man
to watch
Full match previews on the D@rlo
Uncovered website.
Oakwell has been redeveloped into
a good all-seater stadium over the last 10 years, although on the pitch
there have been highs and lows. Admission is at the turnstiles only,
not advance tickets, priced a reasonable £10 adults and £5
concessions. TBC. Away fans sit in the North Stand (old Kop) behind
the goal, which since my last visit has got a roof! There are facilities
for 90 wheelchair and blind fans.
Barnsley
FC:
Oakwell, Grove Street, Barnsley S71 1ET
Tel: 01226 211 211
 History:
Formed in 1887 by a local church curate Tiverton Preedy, and were
called Barnsley St Peter's until the year before they joined the
League in 1898. Their early years saw "Battling Barnsley"
notable for their FA Cup successes - losing in a replay to Newcastle
in 1910 before winning
the trophy with a 1-0 victory over West Brom in front of 38,555
at Bramall Lane in 1912. This was another replay after a 0-0 draw
at Crystal Palace. In the 1930s, two players scored five goals against
Darlington, Peter Cunningham and Beau Asquith. The club's league
fortunes have been mixed - the high point being a season in the
Premier League in the late 1990s. It was followed by the inevitable
money troubles, administration and something approaching stability
today.
Record Attendance: 40,255 v Stoke City, FA Cup 5th rd.15th
Feb 1936
Honours: FA Cup winners 1912, Div 3 North champions 1933/1934,
1938/1939, 1954/1955, Div 1 runners-up 1995/96 (promoted)
Capacity: 23,000
Last season: 14th
Record victory: 9-0 v Loughborough T, Div 2, 28 Jan 1899
Defeat: 0-9 v Notts. County, Div 2, 19 Nov 1927
Nickname: The Tykes, The Colliers, The Reds.
Colours: Red and white.
Manager: Simon Davey
Chairman: Gordon Shepherd
Players in: Miguel Mostto (Cienciano, Peru), Marciano Bruma
(Sparta Rotterdam), Andy Johnson (Leicester), Kayode Odejayi (Cheltenham),
Rob Kozluk (Sheff Utd), Rohan Ricketts (Wolves), Dennis Souza, Dominik Werling
(Sakaryaspor), Lewin Nyatanga (Derby - loan).
Players out: Paul Hayes (Scunthorpe), Daniel Nardiello (QPR),
Neil Austin (Darlington), Paul Heckinbottom and Nathan Joynes (Bradford - loans)
Famous fans/players/connections: Dickie Bird, Michael Parkinson
(fans), Ian McMillan, (fan/poet-in-residence). Tommy Taylor (Busby
Babe), Danny Blanchflower, Mick McCarthy, Gerry Taggart, Georgi
Hristov, Ashley Ward, Clint Marcelle, Barry Conlon, Tommy Wright
and Matt Appleby (players), Norman Hunter, Allan Clarke, Danny Wilson
(managers).
Click for Streetmap of ground
Town centre map (PDF) |
From the north east (A628):
Follow the A628 through Cudworth into Barnsley. Take the second exit
on the roundabout, signposted Barnsley. After the petrol station a
mile on, turn right into Grove Street/
From the M1: Exit at junction 37, take the A628 signposed
Barnsley - head towards the town centre over the crossroads and
at the Town End roundabout, take the A628 (signposted Pontefract)
onto the western relief road. Take the second exit at the next roundabout
(Pontefract again) onto the A61 Harborough Hill Road - right into
Pontefract Road. There is parking for 500 cars for away fans next
to the turnstiles - follow the signs.
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Barnsley railway station is half
a mile from Oakwell. Turn right to the traffic lights, then turn and
head towards the bridge that the Harborough Hill dual carriageway
runs over. Walk under the briige and turn left up the slip road and
then take the first right and head towards the Metro Dome leisure
complex at the top of the hill. Oakwell can be seen from here.
Suggested trains: Darlington: 15.51-Sheffield (17.18)
17.36 arr Barnsley 18.02. Return: 22.35-Leeds (23.29) 23.42-York
(00.08) 00.50 arr 01.26. Fares from £19, saver return £26.30.
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You won't need a taxi to the ground,
unless travelling from one of the town's better pubs.
A1 Ace Taxis 01226 288888
AA Taxis 01226 245555
Direct Taxis 01226 299000
Mapp Cabs 01226 388888
Darlington
FC Supporters' Club
Coach time
4.30pm, £10. Contact: 01325 243911. See Darlington
Supporters' Club for more details.
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Sheffield: Trains returning at 22.06 and 22.36. Fares: Cheapday return £3.10
No late trains back to London Kings Cross or Birmingham
New Street.
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A bit lousy for pubs which are
open to away fans - and you face a little walk to find some decent
beer. The town centre has plenty of unremarkable pubs in Peel Square
and Wellington Street. It's advised not to show club colours in these though, due to a few small-minded locals.
Real ale
 The
Gatehouse, 35 Eldon Street North
Best of an otherwise average bunch, this is recommended by the local
CAMRA and has John Smith Cask, Ruddles County plus four guest beers.
Also food. Click for streetmap
George & Dragon, 41-43 Summers Lane
Friendly local on the western edge of the town centre and CAMRA's
local pub of the year. Pool and Sky Sports. A bit of a hike to the
ground though. Click for streetmap.
The
Keel Inn, 18 Canal Street
Canalside pub (near Asda), just off the A61, north ot the railway
station and about 20 minutes on foot back towards the ground. Serves
Barnsley Bitter and is CAMRA-recommended. Sadly we miss the local
beer festival here by a week! It may be closed lunchtime on Saturday, open again
from 5pm. Click
for streetmap
Town centre/near ground
The Outpost, 2 Union Street
It is just about in the "close to ground" category, but
walkable. Hardys and Hansons beers. No meals but children allowed.
Parking. Streetmap
The Prince of Wales, Eldon Street North
Popular supporters' pub, on the road north of the station, open
from 11.30am. Darts, pool, sports on TV. Disabled facilities. Ask
for the shortcut to the ground. Click
for streetmap
The Courthouse Station, 24 Regent Street.
About 250 yards
from the station. OK but not brilliant.
Suggest the Metrodome leisure
complex close to the ground or the stadium itself.
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