BARNSLEY FOOTBALL CLUB

Following a historic season for Barnsley FC an exciting new project will involve supporters and the wider community in exploring and telling the story of Barnsley FC and its home ground, Oakwell.

2017 will mark 130 years since Barnsley Football Club was formed in 1887, as well as marking 20 years since the club’s historic promotion to the Premier League in 1997.  The upcoming anniversaries of the club's formation and its historic promotion to the Premier League present a unique opportunity for the rich heritage of the club to be highlighted, explored and shared.

Reds in the Community, a registered charity delivering community and charitable activities on behalf of Barnsley Football Club, has received £74,900 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and £4,575 from the South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust for its upcoming ‘Our Club, Our Ground, Our Past, Our Future’ project.

Thanks to National Lottery players the project will develop new heritage displays focusing on key events in Barnsley FC’s history from 1887 to the present day, as well as tours, events and activities for Oakwell, which will enrich visitors’ understanding of the heritage of Barnsley FC and its Oakwell Stadium.  

Local people and supporters have highlighted the ‘living’ nature of the heritage of the football club and have told Reds in the Community staff that they would like the story of the club to be told through players’, managers’ and supporters’ stories.  Volunteers will be able to contribute their skills and knowledge to the project, getting involved in a range of tasks from interviewing players, staff and supporters, past and present, to undertaking research or helping to shape the developing heritage displays for Oakwell.  Through the development of touring community exhibitions and a programme of events and activities, the project will engage people from across the Barnsley borough, enabling them to contribute their memories and experiences relating to Barnsley FC and to learn about the heritage of the club.  Organisations and schools across the Barnsley borough are keen to be involved in the project, and Barnsley FC’s Club Historian, David Wood, and members of the Barnsley FC Supporters Trust are also providing support and advice. 

Reds in the Community will be working as a creative partner with the South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust on the ‘Sharing Memories of Barnsley FC’ aspect to the project, through which reminiscence resources, activities and displays will be developed within NHS settings enabling participants to explore and share their memories related to Barnsley FC.  As a Creative Minds partner Reds in the Community is part of a strong, growing infrastructure of community organisations who are working with the local NHS to provide creative projects for people who use Trust services.

Commenting on the project, Wayne Bullimore, Chief Executive of Reds in the Community, said: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and the South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and are confident that our upcoming ‘Our Club, Our Ground, Our Past, Our Future’ project will provide a fantastic opportunity for local people to get involved in exploring and telling the story of Barnsley FC and its home ground, Oakwell.”

Fiona Spiers, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund, Yorkshire and the Humber said: “Sport and our sporting heritage is something that captures local pride and plays a huge role in people’s lives. This project will preserve the contribution of Barnsley FC to the local community during the upcoming anniversary year and beyond. The project will bring the Club’s stories to life and let everyone get involved, develop new skills and share their past.”

Explaining the significance of NHS support for the project, Creative Minds Strategic Lead, Phil Walters, of South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said: “When we were offered the opportunity to work with Barnsley FC’s Reds in the Community, we were really delighted. The attraction of the club and football can enable us to engage with people who are harder to reach, particularly men. Clearly if you are passionate about the club, then coming along and getting involved is a big incentive and this will help combat social isolation.”  

Reds in the Community will be inviting supporters and the wider community to get involved in the ‘Our Club, Our Ground, Our Past, Our Future’ project over the coming months either as a volunteer or by sharing their memories and experiences of supporting Barnsley FC. Following a historic season for Barnsley FC there should be plenty of memories relating to the last season alone that supporters can share!  Anyone interested in getting involved can contact Sarah Hughes, Heritage Officer at Reds in the Community, on 01226 211333 or via email at Sarah.Hughes@barnsleyfc.co.uk.