Disabled access proving to be a struggle at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Arses need kicking, for fuck's sake!

I am partially disabled (legs and breathing) and getting into the lifts presents problems too. Not so long ago, despite my mate, who got the tickets, stated about my disability, yet we were allocated the row in front of the very top row.

Not only that, when we got the lift, which only basically went halfway up. I was struggling for breath getting to the seat!

The positioning of the lifts too is very obscure -- they should have gone to the very top, where you could walk down, a lot easier than walking up. I know there would obviously be teething problems but the ones affecting disabled fans are not that easy to rectify now.

I was actually heartened when first hearing about provision for our disabled fans at HDS, especially the elevated views. I just looked and we have '279 wheelchair spaces and 366 easy-access amenity seats (accessed by fewer than seven steps)'.

I also read this, Derek, and wondered about your reaction, mate:

'Elevated/Step-Free Access: 19 public lifts provide access to all levels, with all designated disabled platforms being completely step-free.'

The lifts and wheelchair areas are great but there is also quite a few negatives. Drop-off points, length of walk to and from the ground. When inside, those steep steps to seats will almost certainly put fans off.

I can see us moving away fans to the top tiers to accommodate elderly fans in the lower sections. The drop-off points need to be located closer to the ground.

Hopefully just teething problems.

I think in politics they call that ' being economical with the truth ' definitely NOT true with access to all levels ?

I will give you another instance, my mate, who is a minor shareholder, got two Tickets on his App and phone (digital con trick) we queued up went in via the Q R Code System. This was not long after the Stadium opened, by the way, but a Premier Fixture all the same. Lifts are NOT signposted.

We got in, no problem, then asked a Steward where the Lift Access was ? " Ah you have to go out and get in the queue round the corner " Which we did, BUT because we had already been admitted, the Q R Code would not accept re-entry. Luckily the Head Steward just happened to appear and we told him of the issue. He nodded to the Turnstyle Steward and we were allowed in. Had he not come along, Jobsworth/System would have had us still standing there come the Final Whistle !

Doesn't take a genius to work that out. Just look at ToffeeWeb -- the youngest posters are about 40. But if the short-sighted club make life difficult for Granddad, then guess what?

Granddad won't be bringing his grandkid to games indoctrinating youngsters against all logic to support a team that had won nothing in decades.

Even putting aside the decency argument of taking care of your fans. From a business perspective, if you make it harder for seniors to attend, you're cutting your own throat.

However, I am not disabled, so it's not for me to say, and it looks like the access issue in terms of walk-up, blue badge provision, and walk from/signage of the lifts has not been thought through properly.

I also noticed early on in the new Everton store in the East Stand, that the lifts are very badly signposted and the stairs are right at the back. A real two fingers up to disabled or elderly supporters as it just does not look like a friendly environment for them.