Crewe Alexandra

We had decent seats in the away end. But on the way in, the access steward said to the person who was accompanying me that she “wasn’t disabled” (she has a limb impaiment) and then wanted us to sit in the home end on the viewing platform (this felt very separate but equal).

Fortunately I stood my ground and went on the away platform (where there was a great atmosphere) and most people sat down once they realised they were blocking my view if they were standing up, which was nice).

My only concern about where we were seated was that in the second half loads of mostly-blokes were standing on the steps blocking the path and inevitably causing a trip hazard if there had been a surge if we had scored) – but no one did anything about this.

A lovely club to go to. Very helpful stewards. We parked directly outside the ground and were directed to the disabled entrance for away fans. We were told there were 2 areas we could sit in. One gets fans standing in front but is under cover the other is part covered but you do not get anyone in front as it is elevated. In this one there is a refreshment bar directly behind and the disabled toilet is nearby too. This has HOT water, the only ground we have found to have it. There is also just inside the ground a supporters lounge that visiting supporters can use if it is not full. On exiting after the match the coaches are directly outside the ground which is very good especially if it is dark. Would definitely go again.

This was our first visit to Crewe as away fans. The ground is right next to the station but a bit more complicated to find from the M6, not least as I did not spot any signs (follow town centre). We travelled in our club’s wheelchair accessible mini-bus which the first stewards we met were expecting and had saved parking for. Pity therefore they didn’t let us know where our entrance to the ground was and had disappeared by the time we got off the bus. This was around the 40th ground we have visited and we gave it the prize for the most difficult to gain access to. With no officials around, we followed where it seemed everyone was going along the pavement. With hindsight we think people were going to what looked like the excellent chip shop across the road (we noted this was closed at the end of our evening match)! After going round two sides of the ground until we could go no further we saw on our return journey a sign that said “Disabled fans entrance” so we waited there, until we saw a steward, when we were greeted with the warm welcome of “you’re away fans? – you can go home!”. What the sign does not make clear is that, that is the entrance for home disabled fans. The entrance for away disabled fans is down the passageway on the side nearest the station beyond the entrance to the Club’s bar, where they had actually parked our minibus!

The area for away wheelchair users is a raised platform at the back of the away stand looking across the 18 yard box. The platform is covered. There are no marked bays but there is room for I would guess around 6 wheelchair users. Plenty of clean dry seats (not bolted to the ground so you can place them wherever is convenient) were also provided. The only disappointment was that the away stand was filled from the opposite end of the pitch to the wheelchair platform so, as the only wheelchair user (until half-time when I got welcome company!) with a small away crowd (Tuesday night re-arranged fixture with a long journey), my husband and I did feel a bit like we had a contagious disease which required us to be kept separate! Perhaps the gain of this is there was no one to block our view which may have happened had the seats in front of the platform been occupied. We did have an excellent view which was not obscured by club officials walking past as can happen at some grounds.

The refreshment kiosk, no lowered counter, (which closed at the beginning of the second half) is in the adjacent family stand – flat access. The accessible toilet is beyond the refreshments on the left, clean with hot water, hand wash, paper towels and hand drier. The toilet cubicle is a good size but the door is stiff and heavy to move, I think the wood has swollen. It has an alarm but I noted the cord finishes around 5ft up from the floor so if you fell you could not reach it.

Crewe’s website states that it provides a headset commentary for visually impaired home and away fans. When we phoned the club to request one we were told that to have a headset you have to sit in the home stand.

Having been once and found the entrance, we would happily go again.

Be prepard to cue for your tickets, and once you’ve got your tickets you are escorted to where you can watch the match. We was with our own supporters, which is always good. The stewards where helpful and friendly.

Parking We got there early so there was plenty of disabled parking, which is at the far side of the ground.

Facilities They are good and the disabled toilets was clean and large. I had a problem though with one of the doors, it was very stiff and hard to open, I ended up badly bruising my hand.