AS AN AMBULANT SUPPORTER I FOUND THE EXPERIENCE FAR FROM SATISFACTORY.WE WERE SEATED ABOUT 8 ROWS FROM THE FRONT BUT AS ALL AWAY SUPPOTERS STAND I NEEDED TO SIT DOWN AT HALF TIME MY CARER ASKED THE STEWARD IF WE COULD SIT ON THE 2ND ROW AS THE FIRST 2 ROWS WERE EMPTY.HE AGREED SO WE WENT AND SAT DOWN AND THEN ANOTHER STEWARD CAME ALONG AND SAID WE COULD NOT SIT THERE AS IT WAS FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY REASONS.HE TOLD US TO GO IN THE 3RD ROW AS THERE WAS NO ONE SITTING THERE BUT LO AND BEHOLD AT THE END OF HALF TIME SOMEONE CAME BACK AND TOLD US WE WERE IN THEIR SEATS.WE WENT BACK TO THE 2ND ROW BUT THE STEWARD CAME BACK AND WE TOLD HIM THAT THE SEATS IN THE ROW BEHIND WERE TAKENHE TOLD US WE WOULD HAVE TO GO BACK TO OUR ORIGINAL SEATS.WE TOLD HIM THERE WAS NO CHANCE AS THE STEPS WERE TOO STEEP FOR ME TO CLIMB.HIS ONLY RESPONSE WAS" YOU CANNOT SIT THERE".I WAS PREPARED TO IGNORE HIM AS I HAD NO ALTERNATIVE BEARING IN MIND WE WERE TOLD WE COULD SIT THERE BEFORE WE MOVED DOWN.EVENTUALLY ANOTHER STEWARD CAME ALONG WITH A BIT OF COMMON SENSE AND ALTHOUGH HE TOLD US THERE WAS "PROBABLY" SOME SEATS OVER NEAR THE CORNER FLAG WE WOULDNT GO UNTIL HE COULD CONFIRM THERE WERE SOME.
IF THE 2 FIRST ROWS ARE NOT TO BE USED WHY NOT TAKE THEM OUT AND IF THEY ARE FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY WHY DOES THIS NOT APPLY TO THE OTHER FIRST 2 ROWS ON THE 3 OTHER SIDES OF THE STADIUM.
THIS SITUATION WAS CAUSED BY LACK OF TRAINING ON BEHALF OF THE FIRST STEWARD WHO SAID WE COULD SIT THERE AND A TOTAL LACK OF UNDERSTANDING AND COMMON SENSE ON BEHALF OF THE STEWARD WHO KEPT QUOTING HEALTH AND SAFETY BUT WHO WAS NOT CONCERNED ABOUT MINE.
As I have said in previouse comments still stand apart from one of the most importent aspects that affect wheel chair users in this stadium and similar stadiums with the viewing galleries like the Wigan ones.
At last it seems someone is listening, the entire row in front of the Wheel Chair viewing area was empty and had netting over to stop people sitting in the seats, HURRAHHHHHHH, an uninterupted view of a game at last a Big THANK you to you WIGAN hope it lasts, keep the information flowing.
Only set back was the disabled toilets being used by none disabled, and what a mess although the stewards did clean it up before I used them. Visited by head steward asking if all was ok, and the visiting fans bar was open so able to rest before the game. All in all and excellent evening, other than the result.
Got to wigan with a bit of spare time, so we were making our way to entrance and was called over by a steward to come into the players lounge, it was a really nice and spacious area. It was full of us spurs and they had a selection of food beer and hot drinks, it was a great relief to get out of the sleet and cold, very well thought of and an example of what we should be aiming for in treating away fans, the stewards were very helpful in looking out for us and helping with any requests . Well done wigan
Stadium easy to find well signed. Parking easy to find and plentyfull, in satdium way some 200yards from stadium, park in soccer dome car park, large visitng car aprk which is gravelled not suitable for wheelchair users. Did not use bookable spaces, waiting 40mins to get out is long time.
The fans bar area closed, with some 4,500 visitors it may be a problem, but the soccer dome was open for visitors.
There is a lift and just as well otherwise disabled wheelchair users would not be able to get to see the game, and ambulant supporters who can't climb stairs would also have a problem as well.
The problem with the lift there is only one and this is some distance away from one of the viewing galleries and presents a problem at full time with the rush of the crowd and was quite difficult and little scarry getting to the lift. The lift is just big enough to fit one wheelchair in and carer, and the wait to get in was long, so if there was an emergency evacuation this could have consequenses for disabled fans.
Viewing was a problem from the gallery with fans again standing up, there is lots of space so I would have thought raising the floor would not be an issue, except expenditure which seems an on going excuse for many clubs.
All round the facilities are quite good but spoilt by what would be viewed by small things, but they mean a lot to disabled supporters.
On a good note all staff/stewards at the club where most heplfull and certainly well trained to deal with disabled supporters.
On a sad not another bad day at the office for the team.
Parking - I contacted Wigan, as advised, regarding parking and spoke with Norma (Disabled co-ordinator) who was most helpful, sending me a parking pass, which I received within 2 days of my request, This was for car park 5, which is approx 100mtrs from the away section. (Be prepared for a 40min wait to get off after though!).
Pre Game - Fantastic, away fans only club, next to the away fans turnstiles, very friendly and welcoming. Pie, peas and gravy in a tray £2!!
and the best bit, a lift from inside the club directly up to the disabled area.
View - Wheelchair section is elevated and situated towards the right corner flag, good view of the whole pitch when everyone is sat down...However when fans stand it is impossible to see the nearest goal...VERY FRUSTRATING!!
I didn't need the toilet facilities so cannot comment.
All in all a good day (apart from the result) With Stewards and Staff very helpful. Would I go again? Most definately........But please try to do something about that frustrating view Wigan as everything else is spot on!