Charlton Athletic

Reply to comment from Stephen Kelly.

Published 16/10/17.

” The club had decided back in July that any wheelchair user who needs to pass in front of the dugouts to reach their wheelchair space should arrive at least 15 minutes before kick – off to avoid disrupting player and coaching staff access. Stewards had been directed to hold wheelchair users in other bays until half-time should they arrive within this 15 minute period. Information had been supplied, and is still available, on the Disabled Supporters website and Facebook page as well as an Email being sent out to all members in July.”

I arrived at our match against Doncaster at the weekend (Saturday 14th October). I was about to go the normal way that i go, then was called back by one of the stewards and was taken another way. The reason i was given is so i could avoid the substitutes for Charlon and the visiting team. In the 25 years i have been coming to The Valley there has never been any issues with this, so why now?

Our Cub’s wheelchair accessible mini bus that we travel in was told to park on the car park within the Stadium which is near to the away entrance but still resulted in a substantial walk for those fans we had with severe walking difficulties and those carers pushing manual wheelchairs. Provision for away wheelchair fans as shown in photographs of earlier reviews becomes totally inadequate if the fans in the seating in front stand as it seems they always do. It was our experience that the Chartlton Stewards were very aware of this and did their best to ensure we could see the game by moving us as necessary after they explained this was the only option available to them. My visually impaired husband said that the headset commentary he got was excellent, informative and fair.

We are a club whosefacilities are improving and we manage to look after as many visiting supporters as possible – wheelchair user or ambulant. If disabled supporters need help, we have a disability co-ordinator, alot of stewards plus the disabled Charlton supporters and our carers who will try and help as much as we can.

I am a home season ticket holder, and have been for a lot of years; we do have parking but it has to be booked through our disabled liaison officer. Usually, there are 2 or 3 accessible car parking spaces for away fans and as we only have 7 spaces for away fans who use wheelchairs. This might appear adequate.

As far as I’m aware, Charlton Athletic don’t have any parking. Not sure what it is like for parking round the ground as I went on train with my nephews so they were able to help me. This is another ground where the view is very bad when fans stand up.

Attended match with a group of ambulant disabled supporters with learning disability and one with limited mobility and their helpers. On arrival we were greeted by a steward who asked if we were registered disabled, strange question! We were led through a gated entrance to the rear of the lower tier of the stand to a row of four seats adjacent to the Wheelchair Stalls. We were told that we could sit there but if helpers would have to move elsewhere. We had no chance of seeing the pitch due to standing supporters in front of us and this fact along with the point that the helpers needed to be seated with their disabled friends was brought to the attention of the stewards. Much debate followed and eventually once the match had started, it was suggested that we may like to move to the front row of the upper tier. A long walk up a ramp and down several steps achieved a reasonable view but was difficult for a person with limited mobility. Not a great experience, facilities poor and stewards appear to lack basic disability awareness as continually referred to disabled people as only being those who used wheelchairs!

Stewards – All were knowledgable, friendly & well organised. They came and specifically checked we were ok at half time, which was a nice touch.

Wheelchair provision – allowed our club’s mini-bus to unload/load us fans in wheelchairs right outside the entrance. Convenient, accessible clean toilet. Away wheelchair provision is in individual “stalls” each with a fold down carer seat. These stalls extend the full length of the away end at the back of the away fans seating. Lots available and stewards were happy for us to choose which stall we took regardless of what was printed on our tickets. This was useful as I would endorse previous comments that if the fans (even if they are no of rows away)in front of you stand up, you can’t see (definite design fault). As there were only 3 of us we choose to sit at the end where our fans were not standing so it was not an issue for us. This was the only (potential) negative we identified.

As my husband is partially sighted, he requested (as he always does) a headset commentary, this was waiting for him, it worked and was a good commentary. This was our first visit to Charlton. We thoroughly enjoyed our Valentines Day visit to the Valley and would not hesitate to go again. A particular thank you for the free “doggy bag” suppers offered to us at the end of the game!

Have attended the Valley a lot as I have been a season ticket holder for many years. Home ends are all right, you can see. In defence of the away supporters – when the away supporters stand up, it is difficult to see. The only thing the away supporters can do is to encourage the stewards to get them to sit down. Apart from that it is a good day out and we look after visiting supporters, especially in wheelchairs.

Have been to “The Valley” several times and sat in many locations. Views very good and if in the main stand the facilities are way you are looked after is market leading. Where else does a catering staff take a half time order and deliver it to you avoiding bustling ques etc…?

The area around the stadium is quite hilly, so tricky for parking and those in manual wheelchairs or with mobility problems

when away supporters in front of wheelchair platform stand – was that a goal?

view when away supporters in front of wheelchair platform remain seated

Wheelchair positions for away supporters