AFC Wimbledon

I am a powerchair user and my husband is a white cane user. This was our second visit as away fans to the Cherry Red Records Stadium, travelling to the ground in an accessible mini-bus, part of our Club’s official away travel. As we wrote a long review after our last visit this should be read as an update to that.

Arrival and Entry to the Ground
Unlike when we visited in April 2022 our Club’s 4 coaches and our minibus were parked up immediately in front of the away turnstiles in a space surrounded by high walls which had a narrow entry from a industrial unit area. You could not be nearer! People who visited last season told us that this area was full of deep puddles and very uneven ground, whereas now the ground is all bricked and perfectly even. There were two (I think) turnstiles and to the right of these were a set of large metal doors that were opened to allow access for those fans who could not pass through the turnstiles. This then brought you into another large area immediately behind the away stand with the amenities against the right hand side and the entry to the stand in the far-left corner through a fairly narrow opening to the right of the away seating area. Some of our fans were a little concerned by the large barking dog (of we thought unclear breed) present at the turnstiles held by one of the security stewards. This was not a police dog and did not appear to be a sniffer dog. It was initially muzzled but when the queue to get in grew even though there were no problems, it was unmuzzled and allowed to bark continuously in a threatening manner which we have not witnessed at any other game in the many years that we have been going.

Aware that some of our autistic fans had had a very negative experience at this fixture last season and eager to ensure the same did not happen again, we had had extensive liaison with Mandy Bynon, the Disability Liaison Officer prior to this game. As a result of this Mandy (and her colleague Mandy) stayed with us outside the turnstiles prior to KO, we pointed out our disabled fans to Mandy, for her and her colleague to go over to them, introduce themselves, ask if they had any queries which they responded to and then escorted them into the ground and checked that they were happily seated. This worked exceptionally well for all.

Seating Area
As part of our pre-fixture liaison with AFC staff and those from our own Club, Block 112 in the away end but the only seating to right of the entry to the away stand had been designated an area for families and those fans requiring a quieter area than the main away blocks and our Club when putting the tickets on sale had encouraged those who needed this to buy tickets accordingly. The reasoning behind this was to protect those who needed it from the inevitable surge forward at key moments in the game, not least because the space between the front row of seats and the barrier round the pitch is very narrow and with the designated away wheelchair spaces also taking up room in this area, it is all too easy for vulnerable fans sitting in the front rows of this area to be overwhelmed. The feedback we got was that Block 112 worked well for those who needed this protected area. I noted that the front row of seats in this block (which extends around the corner) are completely step-free. The only downside of this was when during the match they relocated two people to this area as one of them had been injured in one of the surges and then one of these people were subsequently evicted from the family stand for persistently using foul language. An eviction which left us stressed that the violent evictions we had witnessed happening in the main blocks was about to happen right at the side of us, albeit in the end this eviction happened peacefully. Apart from this, our only concern was when we wanted to go out to the amenities we were worried that we might be in the relatively narrow entrance to the away end when an eviction was occurring and due to the restricted sight angles here you could not see what might be coming your way, so you could easily be here when the area was swamped with an eviction. To avoid this, I have asked whether it would be possible for people in Block 112 to have an identified steward they could ask to accompany them out and in during the match if they wish.

There are no designated wheelchair spaces in Block 112, so myself and another powerchair user just positioned ourselves there in front of the bottom row of seats with our companions sat at the side of us which we were allowed to do without any questions. This worked far better than the designated wheelchair spaces behind the goal and gave us a good view of the game without us being in anyone’s way. Perhaps AFC should consider moving the designated wheelchair bays permanently to this block or adding additional wheelchair spaces in this location.

Audio Match Commentary
This is available and can be booked by emailing dlo@afcwimbledon.ltd.uk but it is not an audio descriptive commentary.

Accessible Toilet
One toilet halfway along the back wall of the area outside the away seating area. It is part of a terraced line of toilets, next to the gents and can become a bit hidden if the door to the gents is pushed back obscuring the sign for it but it is worth finding as we would say it is the best accessible toilet we have found in the 60+ football grounds we have visited over the past 14 years. It is massive and sparkling clean with everything provided. The only negative maybe is that it is not radar locked so could be liable to misuse.

Catering
I only used this once during the match for a bottle of water (£2.80) when there was no queue and those serving were polite and helpful. I did not receive any other comments about the catering but I was aware on leaving the stadium the floor outside the stand was littered with empty plastic pint glasses that kept getting stuck in the wheels of my chair, more so than I can recall at any other ground. I also know that my husband did not find them easy to navigate with his white cane.

Club Staff
Mandy Bynon the Disability Liaison Officer at AFC is outstanding and deserves every praise for her joint working with us both prior to and on the day which we have only ever known at one other Club. Mandy is totally focussed on disabled fans being enabled to have the best possible match day experience and rises above all else to achieve this. The care and understanding we witnessed her and her colleague Mandy showing to our disabled fans was a delight to observe and showed that she just “gets it”. She is a total star and we certainly hope that she will still be in post for any future visit we make to AFC. We would totally recommend any disabled fan (home or away) with any concerns about visiting the Cherry Red Records stadium to contact Mandy. We also wish to mention Steward 40 (orange jacket, sorry didn’t get his name) who was friendly and helpful to us in Block 112 throughout the afternoon.

Leaving the Stadium
The coaches and our mini-bus remained where they had dropped us off, so it was very easy to board them at the end.

Overall
The good things about visiting the Cherry Red Records Stadium for us was how near to the away entrance he away coaches drop-off and pick up, the sparklingly clean and spacious accessible toilet and of course their DLO, Mandy Bynon.

This was our first visit to the new Cherry Reds Record Stadium as away fans travelling in an accessible mini bus that is part of our Club’s official away transport. I am a powerchair user and my husband is severely visually impaired.

Arrival and Entry to the Ground
Our mini bus was parked with the other official away coaches in a side street near to the away end. The problem for us was that there were no dropped kerbs to access the pavements enroute to the away entrance, the roads were not closed to traffic and there were sharp bends. Thankfully between other fans and police who realised our difficulties we safely made it to the away entrance. Stewards at the entrance ushered wheelchair users to the front of the queue. Bags were searched and apparently no food and only clear drinks (eg water) can be taken in. Entry is through a wide gate into a large uncovered space with facilities on your right and the entrance to the away end opposite.

Seating Provisions
Prior to attending I had already become aware of a discrepancy between LPF’s website saying there was 14 wheelchair spaces and the Club’s own website saying there were 92! Based on my visit I would say there is no provision for away wheelchair users. The seat number on my ticket directed me to a flip up seat at ground level, that had simply had the seat removed but the horizontal posts on which the seat had rested remained. Anyone with any experience of wheelchair spaces will tell you that a wheelchair (particularly a large 6 wheeled powerchair) is wider than a standard flip-up stadium seat. See photos. The result of this was the sticking out pillars pulled the bag off the back of my chair, ripping the handle on one side so that it can no longer be attached to my chair. Really annoying and with the expense of now buying a new bag. It could so easily have been worse, it could have been the expensive electronics at the rear of my chair that were damaged. You might try to claim I had not shown sufficient care in reversing, well it is not easy to see behind you and furthermore, with full capacity at the away end, I felt I needed to try and tuck in as much as possible as the width between the front row of seats and the boarding round the pitch is not sufficient for the numbers going past.

On numerous occasions people bumped into me and one person nearly landed on my lap, not because they were being careless but because simply there was not enough room for the number of people in the space. My fear was that another wheelchair user was going to end up with a broken foot, as so many were being so close to her foot. See photo. With so many people walking past us and so close to us, it was impossible to see much of the game and to that extent I did wonder why I had bothered paying for a ticket to “watch” the game. I found myself unable to enjoy the match as I was in constant fear as to whether I would get injured from the crowd surging forward if there was a goal, having experienced such problems at other grounds with a similar layout. I pointed out all this to one of the Supervisor stewards who said he entirely agreed with me but unfortunately as there was nothing he could do, he suggested I write to the Club to complain, which I will. Ironically the seating provision for away wheelchair users was far better at the old ground. I cannot believe that a new ground has been designed with essentially no spaces for away wheelchair users.

Accessible Toilet
On the right as you enter. Unlike the seating provision, excellent. Spotlessly clean. Huge, could easily fit two wheelchairs in it. Right hand transfer. Alarm cord tied up. Free sanitary provisions. Hot water and soap. I could not get the hand drier to work. The door is heavy but a member of the stadium staff was only too happy to help and told me to knock when I had finished and he would open it for me, which he did. Much appreciated.

Headset Commentary for VI Fans
LPF website says this is not available but Club website says it is and can be booked prior to the match but does not give details of how.

Catering
Located beyond the toilets. We did not purchase anything but what I saw appeared to be typical stadium food and drinks. I did not hear any reports on prices or quality.

Stewards
A lot of stewards present as you would expect with a capacity crowd. All those I had contact with were helpful as far as they could be and polite. I witnessed the stewards being particularly kind to an older gentleman with significant walking difficulties. My view is that they all the stewards worked really hard in difficult circumstances. The stewards would have clearly liked to have formed a complete wall along the edge of the pitch but realised to have done so would have prevented us wheelchair users and those sat at pitch level being able to see, so they left a gap but in reality they did restrict our view of the goal as per photo.

End of Game/Leaving
My enjoyment of the match was marred by constant worries for the safety of my husband and myself due to the lack of adequate provisions for wheelchair fans. For this reason my husband and I departed the ground quickly as the final whistle went (we usually like to stay and clap our players). Thankfully I could remember the route back to where our mini bus was and unlike before the match the roads had now been closed to vehicles. All I had to guide my husband round and ensure it didn’t get on my wheels was the horse droppings which appeared to be everywhere on the road.

Would we go again
I would want assurance of improved seating provision for away wheelchair users before going again. Very disappointed by the failings in a new stadium.

Hi. I was thinking in investing in AFC Wimbledon’s new Stadium but wouldn’t want to if I didn’t think the plans for away wheelchair spaces was fair. It says on their website that they have 32 wheelchair spaces (nothing about home or away) but on here it says just 14 but only 2 for wheelchair spaces. I think this is really poor and if we got you in a cup match this year I wouldn’t even get a seat as an away wheelchair user. I’d hope that by law they would have to offer more than this, I’d hope considerably more but would like to find out if and what rules concerning this are in place for new stadiums. I asked someone at club who said it would be too early to say but hopefully you might be able to tell me if there is a minimum limit for new grounds (I know a lot of grounds have increased wheelchair spaces in just the last few months to meet new quotas. Thanks, Darren Staddon

Our second visit this year as away fans to the Cherry Reds Record Stadium. On both occasions we travelled in an accessible mini-bus that is part of our Club’s official away travel. Entrance to the away end is down a passage way between houses in a residential area. Provision was made for our mini-bus to park within yards of the away fans entrance. The stewards at the entrance were very welcoming and friendly. Our experience of the raised covered viewing area (variably referred to as a bus shelter / royal box), accessible toilet (sparkling clean with hot water) and tea bar was as described in 2014 review by Shelia.

We bought our tickets from York prior to the match, but I telephoned to request a parking space. It was on a first come first served basis, so we arrived around noon. The disabled spaced soon filled up.

We went to “Fat Boys Cafe” two minutes walked round the corner for lunch. The staff in there welcomed us & although it was busy & almost full, they made room for us to take the wheelchair in, and there was a ramp at the door. The food was cheap & got a massive plateful, more than we could eat.

Going back to the ground , there was a burger van outside and a stall selling badges & several programme sellers, but unfortunately the stewards weren’t very well trained & either didn’t know where our entrance was or sent us the wrong direction. We eventually found our way in & the gate was opened for us, but no-one told us where to go or if there were toilets or anything.

We found a raised platform at the away end which we presumed that was for us, It was quite large with 2 fixed seats, and as there were just the 2 wheelchairs & carers we had loads of room & the view was excellent. We were in the corner between our own fans.

The toilets were also in the corner, and an accessible one with a ramp.

The teabar next to the toilets had a very high counter, it looked about 5 ft high, so we never bothered with refreshments.

Outside the ground was a bar which welcomed away fans & it was accessible but as it was busy we never went further than the doorway. And we didn’t go to the club shop either as we had bought programmes & badges from vendors.

All the fans were very friendly & helpful, even stopping to see if I wanted help putting the wheelchair in the car and others just congratulating us on the win.