Bolton Wanderers

I am a powerchair user and my husband is severely visually impaired. This was our first visit as away fans to the University of Bolton Stadium. We travelled to the ground in an accessible mini bus that is part of our Club’s official away travel.

Entry into the Stadium
Very convenient for getting to, just off the motorway and immediately visible. Don’t turn left in front of the stadium if you want the away end but carry straight on and the away end is signposted. We were able to park outside the away end entrance, large flat car park (no free parking for Blue Badge holders). We went in through a large gate just at the side of the away turn styles and went straight ahead to the inside of the stadium. There is a large retail park next to the stadium with a very large supermarket, eating places etc.

Wheelchair Viewing Area
We were sat pitch side behind the goal but were very impressed that it was a raised area and although we were sat in front of our fans and could turn round and talk to them, they were completely separated from us so they couldn’t stand in front of us or push into us at any time during the game as can happen at some locations. This arrangement also meant that we were not in any crowd getting out of the stadium at the end. The area where we were sat was sufficiently wide for two wheelchair users to pass without any problems and rather than having fixed carer seating it was foldable seats which could be placed any where you wanted them. We were behind the practice goal but there was a very high net behind it also, so we felt safer during the warm up than we usually do. Excellent view and no problem with people walking in front of us during the match.

Accessible Loo
Single loo on your right which you passed on the way into the stadium. No problems with size, clean, with hot water etc.

Stewards
Very friendly. We were greeted at the gate and escorted to our viewing area, as well as being given all relevant information about where things were that we might need and how to summon help if we needed that at any time. When I went to the loo, a steward opened the door for me and came to help when I was leaving rather than standing watching me struggle as happens all too often at grounds.

Refreshments
We always take our own so can’t comment on this, access to the refreshment area was close to the accessible loo.

Commentary for Visually Impaired Fans
Available but unfortunately we were told it was not working on the day of our visit. Unlike at most grounds you do not need to pre-book but simply ask a steward when you arrive.

Overall
Excellent. No hassle, as it should be. Definitely a good stadium for away wheelchair fans to visit. If you are someone who is nervous about going to away games, Bolton is definitely one for you in my experience of visiting around 60 grounds in the past 10 years.

Been to Bolton lots of times, always looked after very well. Wheelchair users are behind the goal at pitch level, got to keep your wits about you when teams are warming up and throughout the game as we are sitting ducks for the ball. The one and only toilet is on a slope hard to get in if you have a manual wheelchair, the toilet is a disgrace, mucky and cobwebs, looks like it’s not been cleaned, painted in years, no handtowels either that was before the game.

Yesterday I attended the Macron stadium with my parents to watch Middlesborough away at Bolton, I am a wheelchair user, but our original seats meant I would have to leave my wheelchair at the bottom of the south stand and climb up the steps to get to my seat. However a female steward at the south stand let me stay in my wheelchair at the bottom of the stand with my parents.

This meant I had a great view of the game, especially in the second half when Middlesborough scored two goals, had I stayed in my original seat.I would not have be able to see the goals as I am a small person and the away fans would have been standing up.

I would like to say thank you to the stewards at the stadium for being accommodating and letting me stay in my wheelchair.