Home or Away? - The fight for Oakwell

Barnsley Football Club are at risk of losing their home (Oakwell Stadium) which has been the staple of the town since 1887 because of the financial conflict between the owners.

Picture: The Saturday Boy

Barnsley council owns half of the club’s beloved stadium, while the Cryne family owns the other 50%. The main issue surrounding the ongoing controversy is the disagreement between the billionaire consortium owners, the council and the Cryne family. 

“It’s ironic that after the great escape last season Barnsley fans are now more worried about issues off the pitch than on it...”

The club itself have not commented on the matter at hand, but ours sources tell us that the club are looking at destinations around South Yorkshire but have also been rumoured to have contacted EFL clubs in Lancashire. However, Barnsley Council are preserving any facts about the current affairs and claim that they “will do all they can” to ensure that Oakwell will remain home to the football club.

The relationship between the club itself and Barnsley Council has always been strong, and say that there has been no negotiations between the two establishments in this nature.

The turbulence currently at the club has left a lot of fans uneasy as to where the future lies and many will hope that it is at Oakwell.

Barnsley fan and Podcaster Carlo Van De Watering has stated to us that “it’s ironic that after the great escape last season Barnsley fans are now more worried about issues off the pitch than on it”. As well as, mentioning the late icons of Barnsley FC telling us “Patrick Cryne and Rimmo are both associated with Oakwell I cannot see us playing and honouring them anywhere else”.

A statement from the Cryne family has been released informing fans that “The Cryne Family would like to clarify that contrary to recent speculation they are fully committed to the agreement to the agreement to sell their 50% stake in Oakwell Stadium to BFC Investment Company, the Hong Kong consortium that owns Barnsley Football Club”.

This may put some minds at ease, but still doesn’t provide a clear message regarding the future home of the club.