Yorkshire club forced to close down stand

SkyBet Championship Barnsley FC was today, forced to close their West Stand due to safety concerns, as reported by the BBC.

The South Yorkshire club have been forced to close down the stand, constructed in circa 1912 in celebration of winning the FA Cup, with immediate effect, reducing the stadiums capacity from 23,000 to around 15,000 – effective approximately 1,000 season ticket holders.

A club statement on the barnsleyfc.co.uk website read;

"The decision is purely based on a structural report and a number of West Stand specific crowd management challenges," chief executive officer Khaled El-Ahmad told the club website. With the history associated to this stand, in addition to the knowledge that a number of supporters have sat here for consecutive seasons, the club appreciates both the emotional and practical problems this decision brings."

The stand will be closed with immediate effect, starting with their next home fixture with Sheffield United on 24th October, though the stand will remain open on matchdays for the media and journalists.