Let’s cut to it – this fan survey has done the rounds, stirred a few pints, and probably caused more raised eyebrows than a team sheet with five at the back. Almost 1,500 Reds filled it in. And what they had to say? Not exactly glowing.
This wasn’t something cobbled together on a forum rant. It was coordinated by the Barnsley FC Independent Research Group (BIRG), who work with various independent fan organisations across the Reds fanbase to produce proper, modern research that actually aims to influence decision-making in the best interests of supporters.
The full survey results are freely available for fans to read here.
No glossy marketing spin, no follow-up voucher for a free pie. Just raw, unfiltered feedback from the fans who turn up week in, week out. The ones who sit in traffic, shell out £70 for the privilege, and then get told to "trust the process."
Who Actually Took Part?
No real surprises here. 88% male, mostly between 25 and 55, and 68% from the Barnsley area. These aren't armchair fans shouting into their phones after a 0-0 draw. These are your matchday regulars. The ones who actually care.
A hefty 74% are season ticket holders, and 65% went to 16 or more matches this season. That’s commitment. That’s turning up in November rain and still clapping off a team that couldn’t stop shipping goals like a charity fundraiser.
Matchday Experience: The Good, The Bad, and The Toilet Queue
Let’s start with the positives. Service speed? Decent, if you actually reach the front of the queue – 64% are happy with that. Toilets? 76% say they’re accessible. Women’s facilities? 65% give the thumbs-up for sanitary provision.
But then reality kicks in. 42% say they can’t get food or drink in under ten minutes. That’s most of half-time gone. And when you do get served, 81% reckon the prices are eye-watering.
To put it into perspective: a Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese Meal at McDonald’s currently sets you back £7.19. That gets you a hot burger, fries, and a drink. Inside Oakwell? A burger and a Coke will easily surpass that – for something that tastes like it fell off the back of a freezer van and was reheated using resentment.
44% say the food and drink variety is duller than our passing in the final third. And 42% think the toilets need a serious rethink. In short: overpriced, underwhelming, and unclean. Kind of like our second-half performances this season.
Atmosphere: Is This Thing On?
Here’s where it starts to feel bleak. 77% say Oakwell isn’t passionate or joyful on matchdays. That’s a proper atmosphere crisis. 73% say there’s barely any singing. And if you’ve sat in some parts of the ground lately, you’d be forgiven for thinking you'd walked into a sponsored silence.
Yes, 94% agree the vibe depends on performances, but that can’t be the only excuse. It shouldn't take a last-minute winner to coax out a bit of noise. The good news? 91% want something done about it. Safe standing? 60% say yes. Trial it? 72% on board.
The hunger for atmosphere is there. The club just needs to do more than stick on Kasabian at full blast before kick-off and call it "matchday experience."
Value for Money: Diminishing Returns
Let’s talk about cost. Half the fans think ticket prices aren’t fair compared to the rest of League One. And they’re right. This isn’t the 90s anymore, but neither is the quality on the pitch.
Only 14% of supporters spend under £20 per game. Most are parting with £40-£70 once all's said and done. And for what? An overpriced pie, a pint you had to queue half an hour for, and a squad that sometimes looks allergic to urgency.
Then there’s the merchandise. 65% of fans bought something this season, but 46% felt short-changed. 62% say the quality was alright. Online service? A pedestrian 3.1/5. Which, if we’re honest, is about the same energy level as some of our recent first halves.
Trust: A Sinking Ship
Now the big one. The boardroom stuff. 85% say the owners don’t communicate well. 81% don’t trust what they do say. That’s not a PR problem. That’s a full-blown credibility crisis.
The Fan Advisory Board? Only 7% think it’s made a difference. 48% said the fan forums were a waste of time. 37% didn’t even bother showing up. That’s not apathy – that’s a collective shrug of "what’s the point?"
86% believe the club’s heading in the wrong direction on the pitch. 88% off the pitch. 82% say the fanbase isn’t growing. Add it all together and you’ve got more red flags than a lower league fixture list in winter.
The Club We Could Be
Despite everything, this is where it gets emotional. 92% of fans want the club to reflect the values of Barnsley. 93% think our history should be more front and centre. 79% value community outreach.
This isn't about plastic clappers or awkward mascots doing TikToks. It’s about pride. Identity. Feeling like we’re part of something. Yet 72% of fans feel more like customers than club members. 48% want a chance to get more involved. 73% say they do feel valued when they’re asked.
In other words, we’re still here. Still shouting into the void. Just waiting for someone to shout back.
Loyalty: Not As Infinite As You Think
Here’s the kicker: 80% say they’ll still go even if results are poor. That’s not loyalty – that’s love. But it has limits.
Only 66% of current season ticket holders plan to renew. 17% are on the fence. And 72% of non-holders say they won’t buy one next season. That’s a problem.
88% want investment in the playing squad above all else. Not shiny new kiosks. Not a digital membership badge. Just a team worth believing in. Because if the football improves, the rest starts to fall into place. It’s not rocket science. It’s League One.
Final Whistle: Do Better
So, what’s the big picture? We’re tired of being ignored. We’re tired of feeling like a revenue stream instead of a supporter base. But most of all, we’re tired of watching the same mistakes play out season after season while being told everything’s on track.
This survey isn’t an angry mob. It’s a clear message: change is needed. Real change. Not lip service. Not another open letter. Real communication. Real action. Real ambition.
1,495 fans took the time to give honest, thoughtful feedback. The question now is simple: will anyone listen?
Over to you. Are the club getting the message? Or is it just more of the same? Drop your thoughts in the comments. Because this isn’t just about football – it’s about who we are as a club.
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