On Saturday 8^th July we were joined by amateur German teams from Barnsley’s twinned town of Schwabisch Gmund. After arriving in Barnsley on the 6^th of July the teams had a jam-packed schedule during their time in Barnsley. 

The short three-day stay was made by thirty-six players and staff from southern Germany, part of a new twinning established in 2022 with Worsbrough AFC to celebrate their centenary. An U16’s team from FC Normannia played the first match against a Barnsley College Academy team before the senior team from Germania Bargau FC went head-to-head with Worsbrough.

The surprise ground tour was organised around the schedule by Alan Brentnall, Chair of Barnsley Schwabisch Gmund Society and Reds in the Community. 

Arriving at the ground on Saturday the team were met by RitC coaches and took part in a ground tour where they had access to behind the scenes here at Oakwell. Visiting the changing rooms, players canteen and tunnel walk onto the pitch.

Alan Brentnall said, “We are extremely grateful to Reds in the Community and Barnsley Football club for giving our guests the chance to visit a first-class professional football club. It was an absolute pleasure to witness their delight and amazement, especially from the younger players, and from all reports, the tour was a truly unforgettable experience and a huge inspiration for the future. A big thank you to all the team at Reds in the Community.”

Participation Officer at Reds in the Community, Jack Cadman added, “We were delighted to be able to make this ground tour happen. It was great to see the engagement from everyone involved and we hope that we that we can work together again in the future”