Barnsley FC Supporters Trust | A Voice For All Barnsley Supporters

Chesterfield v Barnsley Fixture

On Saturday, Barnsley were the visitors to the PROACT stadium, for the opening fixture of the 2015-2016 season against Chesterfield. Due to trouble caused by a small minority of Barnsley Supporters at the fixture, last season, the reds ticket allocation was reduced for this season, with just under 2000 tickets available. In addition, reds fans were warned that policing for the fixture would be tight, and that strict guidance was issued prior to the fixture by both football clubs and the Derbyshire Police.

Despite the warnings to the Barnsley Supporters, again a small minority of supporters appeared to want to cause problems. These supporters are not welcome to follow our club, they are damaging the name and reputation of Barnsley Supporters and the Supporters Trust condemn the behaviour of this minority group. We will also support the football club in taking strong action against these individuals including banning orders from ALL Barnsley football games.

However, we are also concerned and are not happy with some of the aspects of the policing for this game by the Derbyshire Police force. We have received reports indicating that Supporters, many young and old being prevented from gaining access to the toilet facilities in the concourse towards the end of the game. This is completely unacceptable and in our opinion breaches basic human rights. Equally we are not happy that all Barnsley Supporters were prevented from leaving the ground until fifteen minutes after the final whistle, and again no consideration was made of supporters circumstances or ages. The decision to hold back supporters was given in written form to all fans entering the stadium and again on the tannoy system throughout the game, however, the nature of the way in which this was done inflamed the situation. The Supporters Trust will be taking our concerns to the football club, the police and the Football Supporters Federation (FSF).

The Supporters Trust recommend that all the supporters who experienced problems or witnessed behaviour that was unacceptable on behalf of either the police or our own supporters should contact the Supporters Trust or the Barnsley Supporter Liaison Officers (SLO’s) using the SLO@Barnsleyfc.co.uk email address as soon as possible. Please to assist can you provide information where the events took place ie seating, gangways, concourse or within the cordon. In addition Police numbers of any police officers involved. This will aid any CCTV collaboration etc.