Chesterfield

Although the disability facilities were good, the stewarding in the away section was certainly not up to standard.

Stewards were standing in front of the disability supporters which meant for periods of the game, play was missed as they could not see the other end of the pitch – complaints were dismissed and were told it’s policy. Found the stewards to be very unhelpful – it’s unlikely I will return.

We have been to this stadium on 2 previous occasions but this time there were 8 wheelchairs and carers and the stand above us was a complete sell out. There is a lift to the viewing platform and this is exceptionally slow. The carer seats are behind the wheelchair users and therefore the carers cannot see. There was nowhere for the carers to move to either. When all 8 spaces are full, the person nearest to the lift has to move to allow the gate to be opened. As the lift is very slow, those who wanted to use the loos at half time had to start going out early or not all would have been able to get out and back in time for the second half. The stewards were not Chesterfield stewards as Sheffield United took their own so they did know us and were helpful unlike the last time when the lift broke and we had to carry all the disabled from off the platform without any help from the Chesterfield stewards. It is a very cold spot on a corner and if raining you would get very wet. Go prepared. An accessible parking space is £6 per car and needs to be booked in advance with Chesterfield ticket office but you pay on arrival.

Our second visit to the Proact Stadium as visiting away fans. We wrote a detailed review (below) after our last visit in 2012 so this is just an update to that.

Chesterfield FC Community Trust Café

This is at the rear of the stadium, part of the stadium building but with its own entrance from the car park. We were drawn to it by seeing tables and chairs outside it when we arrived early for an evening match. Pleasant staff welcomed away supporters. Flat entrance with low counters. Coffee/tea £1.95, small cold drinks £1.20. Snack menu available including bacon sandwiches, salads, baked potatoes etc. Coffee was good. We didn’t sample the food but what came out looked good. About 5 tables inside with TV. Accessible and Changing Places toilet (excellent). I also understand there was play provision for children. All spotless. Excellent find, would fully recommend. Closed at the end of the evening match.

Match Commentary for Visually Impaired Fans

As advised on Chesterfield’s website we rang the club prior to the game to reserve a headset and were advised that we would need a debit/charge card which would be debited with £50 if the headset was not returned at the end of the game. When my husband collected his headset from the Club’s main reception he was asked instead for a £20 cash returnable deposit and told this was preferred to a card. The initial headset was not working, so by the time a steward had changed it for a working set the first 15 minutes of the game had gone. My husband’s verdict on the commentary was that the commentator was helpful and fair, the problem was with the summariser. During the game two of our players were injured, one being stretched off, on both occasions the summariser suggested that the injuries were being feigned. On a further two occasions, the commentator had to ask the summariser to apologise for something he had said. We will be informing Chesterfield about this as although my husband is grateful for a commentary to help him follow the ball, this is not what he expects to hear.

Seating Arrangements

As described in our last review. My only observation is that as they fill up the away stand from the opposite end to where the wheelchair users are, if there is a small away crowd, you can seem a bit cut off from the other away fans. I got 3G with no problem. The only Scoreboard and clock is above the away stand where away fans can’t see it.

Accessible Toilets in the Stadium

Since my last visit a sign has appeared explaining the tap turns on when you move your hands in front of it. As with my last visit I was periodically plunged into darkness whilst in the loo and had to keep waving my arms to have light restored. All spotless.

Would We Return?

Yes, without doubt. Overall, one of the best grounds to visit.

As a Sheffield United fan I am pretty used to good facilities for us disabled at Bramall Lane, but these were exceptional. WELL DONE CHEZZY

External Provision Newly built large “campus” style stadium all on the flat next to major supermarket and other similar outlets including eaterys and pubs. All stewards were helpful and knowledgeable.

Car parking on site at away wheelchair entrance where there was a booth to pick up the wheelchair users reserved tickets. Provision for Visually Impaired Fans- my husband isvisually impaired we had to walk round to the reception area at the front of the stadium and in doing so came across our players arriving, so that was good.

Our tickets were waiting for us with the headset as we had been told. I had not been told, however, as they said I had, that they required a credit card number (thankfully had a card with us) as security which they would debit with £50 if the headset was not returned to them at the end of the match. We had not come across this before. It did mean at the end we had to go against the crowd to get it back rather than simply hand it to a steward as we normally do. Thankfully it was still light and not raining at the end of the match as otherwise this journey could have been a little trying. My husband said it was the worst quality commentary he had ever heard from the many he has experienced. Commentary was a general one and not designed for visually impaired fans. It did not tell him where the ball was on the park and the direction of play on an ongoing basis as you rely on if you are not able to see. He also said it was extremely biased commentary in favour of the home side. Our home club Scorer Sight commentators see the inclusion of away fans as part of their remit. Grateful of a commentary as not available at that many League onegrounds to away fans but when it is available, it does need to give the listener the “picture”.

Provision in the Stadium Once in the stadium you went through a covered area where refreshments were being sold and a little way along the front side of the away stand to a wheelchair lift set in the away stand (goal end) to a raised platform. Excellent view from the covered platform although as we had 6 wheelchair users with carers we were a bit cramped with some carers having to go on the row behind. (There was also provision for away wheelchair users at pitch level in front of the raised platform, but as the platform gives such wonderful viewing, no one wanted to stay at pitch level!) The only down side of the raised platform was the person nearest the lift was disturbed if people wanted to go to the loo during the game as the lift is relatively slow but as it was excellent overall, would not want this to be a criticism.

Accessible Toilets Thought these deserved a specific mention. Two toilets located off a covered area in the end of the away stand, just round the corner from the wheelchair places. Door into the covered area was very heavy to open. Toilets were spotlessly clean with hot water and paper towels. A warmish March day but very cold in the toilets (colder than outside).Two experiences of using these loos worth noting. The cutout on the lighting is very keen. I was plunged into darkness 3 times (I didn’t think I spent too long there!. If this happens, wave and you get light again. I never quite worked out how you turn the tap on. As it wouldn’t turn or push or pull, I resorted to some gentle tapping around it and somehow water came, I am still not sure how. Tap turned off automatically.

Overall Apart from quality of headset commentary for visually impaired fans, excellent facilities for disabled fans at a beautiful new stadium. An example to many as to how it should work. Well done Chesterfield staff. We would not hesitate to visit again.

This is an excellent stadium with fantastic views for wheelchair users and everyone else. 56 elevated positions at the back of the two main stands and another 16 elevated by about 1m in stands behind goals (including separate home and away sections). Pitchside locations also available for those who prefer it.

Radio commentary available in any seat via portable headset units.

Plenty of accessible toilets and catering units etc.

A great example of what can be achieved in an inclusive design.