Overview

As a young Sheffield United fan I want to travel to away matches to back my team and Bolton Wanderers was the next trip! I am unfortunately confined to a wheelchair and away grounds can sometimes seem daunting experiences: where is the accessible parking, where are the seats, are they accessible, where are there disabled toilets etc.? Supporting your team is a great feeling (especially when you win) and with an understanding of the problems you might encounter, I want to share my experiences of football grounds with you so you can feel a bit more confident about stadium accessibility in the future.

Transport & Parking

There are 4 different car parks at Bolton and the away parking had numerous blue badge spaces (unfortunately costing £7 for travelling fans). If that's anything to go by the other car parks at the ground will be great for disabled fans, apart from the price!

Access

Disabled fans enter the ground by gates in each corner of the stadium. The stewards are quick to open it and let you in. You come out at the edge of the pitch and there is a small rise to the disabled seating area behind the goal. It appears that this is the same at both ends of the ground. According to the website 'level playing field' there are 48 wheelchair spaces at the ground, which means the Macron Stadium is 116 spaces short of the legal level. The view is good - well it would be if your team scored in front of you! You will also get wet if it rains, which is quite likely in Lancashire so be prepared for all possible weather.

Toilets

Toilet facilities in the ground are terrible. For a start there is only one, then there is a steep lip to get in and it is only just big enough to close the door it's that cramped. It is nearly impossible for transferring on to the toilet and what's more the cleaning equipment was dumped in there. If it's the same for home supporters I feel sorry for Bolton fans, it's not acceptable.

Staff

N/A. Staff did their job but nothing to write home about.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

The toilets need to be much better for certain. It was tough to see the SUFC boys lose on the first day of the season too - could be better!