Cheltenham Town

On Saturday I travel to Cheltenham from Plymouth with a group of Plymouth Argyle disabled supporters this was my first ever away match as you can imagine i was very excited. I was a little bit nervous though as there was a pitch inspection planned for 12:30 lucklly the game went ahead. When we arrived atWhaddon Road all the stewards where very kind and showed us to our seats. Me and my Carer were sat in theHazlewood Stand my first impression were ‘ we might get hit by the ball here’ as we were sat right behind the goal, luckily we didn’t. Overall i really enjoyed my first ever Away match it was a great experience and something that will live long in the memory!

Cheltenham ground was easy to find with parking on site or very close at the community centre. drinks and sandwiches, pasties, pies and sausage rolls available at the community centre. All very civilised and friendly.

There was no head set commentary but the radio with national radio was clear.

Stewards were helpful and considerate both entering and exiting after the game.

This was our second visit. On each occasion we arrived in our club’s official transport wheelchair accessible mini-bus. Last season we were immediately allowed to park at the Club but then “walked” round to the other side of the stadium by the disability lision steward who had greeted us, only to be told we were at the wrong entrance and needed to return from whence we had come. This time we would not have been parked at the ground other than we were able to say what happened last time and were then allowed to. (This initial confusion seems to resonate with the experience of the other reviewer.)

Once parked up on this visit all the stewards were helpful and eager to offer any assistance required. The entrance for away wheelchair users is through the gate adjacent to the ticket office. On both occasions (like the other reviewer) we have been seated at pitch level in front of our own fans, just to the far side of the goal. This gives a good view of the park and you feel very close to the action. The gap between you and the hoardings is sufficiently wide for two chairs to pass. There were 4 of us in wheelchairs with PAs and still room for more. Officials walking past during the match was minimal which is appreciated.

Only down side for my sight impaired husband was no audio commentary to assist him follow the game. The other reviewer has said you do need to watch out for stray balls, if you avoid them coming over, they can hit the back of the stand and get you from behind on the bounce back!

Both our visits have been in warm weather so can’t comment on what it is is like when it rains.

Accessible toilet is in the middle of the adjacent home stand which you get to by going down via the back of the stand. Journey is fine in a power chair but there is a steep short slope between the two stands. Toilet was clean, not over large for powerchair turning.

Refreshments are served from a porta-cabin at the opposite end which seemed to me inaccessible but I did see a steward assisting a fellow wheelchair user.

Leaving the ground involves going against the flow of the away fans leaving but at least you get to say goodbye to people. The ground is tucked away at the back of a housing estate. There is a general store and chippy nearby (not visited) and a Sainsbury on the nearby main road. Bar at the ground welcomes away fans and is accessible. Overall we have had two enjoyable visits to Cheltenham and would not hesitate returning.

The info on the site is not strictly accurate now – I also rang the Club to check and they confirmed that visiting wheelchair supporters would be positioned in the Main Stand. However, when I got to the ground and attempted to enter the Main Stand the stewards told me that it was possible to sit behind the goal with the rest of the away support. They have taken 2 or 3 seats out in the front row to allow wheelchair users to sit in those spaces (beware of flying footballs – you are very close to the pitch)

Facilities wise I didn’t use the toilet but this is housed in the adjacent (home) stand. Refreshments are available from a small kiosk between the away stand and the Main Stand.