Since relocating to the Riverside Stadium, it has been the intent and purpose of Middlesbrough Football Club to make the visitors’ experience one of satisfaction and enjoyment; no more so than on a matchday. Going to watch a football match is now more of a family social event than years ago, and is evident by the increased numbers of families (- particularly at Middlesbrough) who regularly attend Boro’s games.

The same can be said of the disabled football fan. Match attendance not too many years ago was regarded by a majority of disabled supporters to be a trial of endurance and sufferance. It was the norm to accept things as they were; antiquated stadia, archaic facilities and conditions, and insouciant, patronising attitudes; indeed, at some clubs, wheelchairs seemed to be tolerated as an unnecessary nuisance.

At Ayresome Park, as at many of the older-built stadia, there was little other than the actual football match, to entice the less ardent disabled person in search of their ‘football fix’ as basic services and facilities were few and far between. Access to grounds could be difficult, sometimes compounded by the lack of dedicated disabled parking space – Middlesbrough’s Ayresome Park being an example of this, with its geographical location being in the middle of a residential area meaning a visit had to be planned like a military campaign, and timed to avoid congestion of both traffic and crowds.

Car parking was extremely limited, and mainly reserved for playing staff, their families, commercial hospitality sponsors and guests. The alternative was to find space in the surrounding streets or within reasonable walking distance.  Amenities which the able-bodied supporter expected - and took for granted – eg: tickets, toilets, catering outlets, etc, were not always readily available, and, especially if the fan was a wheelchair user, sometimes non-existent! The purchase of a match ticket by a wheelchair fan was only a problem if a stadium was unable to provide the necessary space to accommodate users, but the actual collecting of a ticket could be difficult if the ticket outlet was inaccessible because of steps or other obstructions. It must be said, however, that many clubs did issue tickets at minimal cost or even free of charge to their wheelchair customers……… as  ‘compensation’, perhaps, for the lack of adequate disabled facilities?

Ayresome Park

Once entry to watch a match had been successfully achieved, it was not unusual to find that the designated area from which to view a game, and “enjoy the match” from a wheelchair was at pitchside or in a corner “out of the way”, where it was deemed they  would not be an obstruction! The ‘sight-lines’ from such positions were generally very poor; the camber in the middle of the playing surface to necessitate drainage, for example, meant that it was impossible to see the opposite touchlines or far goal-lines, thus giving a distorted view of the play. Press photographers, stewards, police and people generally walking to and fro also regularly compromised the disabled spectators view and enjoyment of the occasion. Furthermore, it was usually a position that was without shelter; this could be quite favourable at the beginning and end of the football season, when the weather could still be fine and quite pleasant, but for the spectator, not at all appealing over the winter months when subject to the cold, wind, rain, snow - all the elements in fact - which had to be endured until returning home! 

Riverside Stadium

So much for the good old, bad old days

The advent of government legislation, together with a drastic change in the general public’s attitude and awareness of disability, (eg: with the Disabled Discrimination Act) and the Football Licensing Authorities’ emphasis on the need for safety improvements and the provision of more inclusive facilities and accessibility for all  spectators (eg: Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds) has brought about a more pleasurable experience to be enjoyed by football’s disabled customers.  Many clubs have decided to plan for the long term and have constructed new stadiums, and rather than the expense of upgrading existing sites, have relocated totally to an area more accessible for their fan base. Middlesbrough FC is one whose fans have benefited from a move from the Club’s historical venue.

As the Riverside Stadium was a ‘new build’, it has had to conform to all the stringent changes and regulations with regard to design issues and standards, particularly those relative to disabled persons. This has resulted in an abundance of heightened facilities. It is an all-seated stadium.

Transport and access to the Stadium is much easier on the whole. For the disabled driver or car passenger, there are now dedicated parking spaces which can be reserved by permit, currently 10 available to each Stand, plus a further number in the ‘overflow’ car park.  An agreed proportion are also held for the visiting Club’s disabled fans if required. For the disabled pedestrian, there is concise signage and information to indicate designated entrances and reference points, such as Ticket Offices, Club Shop, lift access etc. For the Sensory Impaired fan, the signage is clear, bright, with both wording and logo motifs to indicate the facility. All approaches are levelled and most are afforded tactile surfaces to assist those with impaired sight. The effect of all these specifications has enhanced the disabled fans’ movement both around and within the Stadium. The installation of digital electronic notice boards suspended from the roof-line of the North and South Stands are also an invaluable communication aid for the impaired.

Views from the disabled fans’ elevated position looking at  West Stand (above) and North Stand (below)

It is undoubtedly inside the Stadium that the most significant changes have happened. Ambulant disabled persons, whether sensory impaired or otherwise, can now access any Stand they choose, and take up virtually any viewing position their mobility allows, with the minimum of restrictions; a limited number of headsets should be available for sight impaired fans, although the majority choose to listen to the live match commentaries broadcast by the local networks on their personal transistor radios! Wheelchair users now have the option of an elevated view (accessed by passenger lifts) or a front row, ground floor seat; both allow an unobstructed view. The design of the cantilever roofing means that all disabled fans are consequently afforded cover from the elements.  One stipulation demanded by the FLA – certainly for Premier League clubs – is that wheelchair attendees must be accompanied by an ‘escort/carer’ so becoming a ‘Disabled Unit’; however, as this is primarily a safety measure mutually beneficial to both Club and wheelchair user, the price of a ticket for a ‘Unit’ at Middlesbrough FC is relative to that charged to an able-bodied adult fan seated in the same area. The escort sits adjacent to the wheelchair person wherever possible.

MFC can accommodate 95 Units currently in the elevated viewing area, which is at mid-tier level at the rear of the SW Corner, and, if the demand required, a further 200+ at ground floor around the ‘auditorium’ front row perimeter. There are additional benefits to the elevated locations, of course, such as shelter from the weather, and the feeling of inclusion being with fellow supporters. There is also capacity for 30 disabled units, again in a mid-tier level elevated platform in the South Stand for visiting disabled; this is accessed by a chain-operated lift. There is also the option to be seated on the ground floor front row which enables family groups with a disabled member to sit together.

Views from the disabled fans’ elevated position looking towards the East Stand (above) and South Stand (below)

In all stands, there are refreshment kiosks within the concourses, all with low-level counters accessible by wheelchair using customers. For those fans in the elevated areas, the Club also operate an optional ‘order-and-deliver’ hostess facility, which eliminates the need for queuing. There are more than the statutory (per head) requirements of specific disabled toilets available; for convenience, any disabled season ticket holder can obtain - free of charge - from the Disabled Liaison Officer, a ‘universal’ key for their own use at any toilet location within the Stadium. Both toilets and catering outlets are located in close proximity to the viewing areas. There is wheelchair access throughout the Riverside to all Middlesbrough FC’s hospitality, social and retail facilities, including the Willie Maddren Learning Centre housed in the East Stand. Probably the only inaccessible places are the Matchday Command Room, Press and Directors Boxes!

Recent interest in Middlesbrough FC swelled after the traumatic time of liquidation in 1986 when the Club could quite easily have folded and ceased to exist. The ‘resurrection’ saw consecutive promotions to the top Division, culminating in Boro’s first ever appearance in a Wembley Cup Final in 1990 -- albeit the Zenith Data Systems trophy! The logistics and likely difficulties at that time  of obtaining sufficient tickets and transport to ensure the attendance of all those disabled fans yearning to be there, led to the founding of Middlesbrough FC Disabled Supporters Association (MDSA), by the disabled Boro fans, for the benefit of the disabled Boro fans. The Association successfully campaigned to acquire sufficient tickets and continued to evolve, becoming a central focus for information on disability issues and as a go-between for fans and Club. Accreditation of MDSA as a recognised part of the football club  was granted by Steve Gibson, the Club Chairman, and Patronage was taken up by former Boro player and Manager, Willie Maddren. When the Club decided to relocate to the present site, MDSA was actively  encouraged to get involved with the developments and had several informed meetings with the Planning Team and discussed many concerns that arose. The Association was a member of the original steering committee for what is now known as NADS (National Association Of Disabled Supporters), a national registered charity, recognised by Government and backed by all the major football authorities, operated by elected  volunteers from various football clubs, and set up to represent all disabled supporters.

Currently MDSA assist the Club by organising tickets and travel arrangements for disabled fans to all away games, including friendlies and European matches, with most away game journeys being undertaken in the Association’s own adapted minibus, the funding for which was generated by Boro fans, local businesses and entrepreneurs. The minibus is also used on home games to bring disabled fans who have no other means of transport to the Stadium, and is conditionally available for use by local community groups.

MDSA has continued to grow in relation with the increased number of disabled fans who are watching football at Middlesbrough; all disabled season ticket holders are now automatically entitled to membership. The diverse nature of fans’ disabilities means there is always something new to learn and be aware of, and the remit of MDSA is to help make the disabled fan’s visit enjoyable and trouble free.  This is partly achieved through continual dialogue with Club officials, especially the Disabled Liaison Officer. An excellent working relationship has developed over the years with all parties, and it is hoped strong links will be forged with other fans groups with the recent setting up of MDSA’s own dedicated website, www.mdsa.co.uk

     

“Wheelies On Tour” 2005/06   Right : At the FA Cup Semi v W Ham @ Villa Park Below : On the way to Stuttgart UEFA Cup Bottom Left & Right & Background :             Memories of Eindhoven UEFA Cup Final