Watford

I have to say the women’s team were totally amazing with our family. They made us feel so welcome and took the time to speak to daughter who has autism. The staff helped with steps, questions about food, toilets could not of been more helpful and made us feel so comfortable. It was a pleasure to be at the game and meet the team

Game attended: Watford Women

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone at Watford on Saturday who gave our disabled group such a wonderful match day experience ( apart from the result)

Special thanks to Lisa, who escorted us to the lift so that we could access the stadium without having to tackle any stairs, and Andy who organised escorts to enable us to use the disabled toilet and to get drinks from the home stand. They are both a credit to your club.

We travel to every away game and can honestly say that this was one of our best experiences. I only wish that more clubs were like it.

I am a powerchair user and my husband is severely visually impaired. This was our first visit as away fans to Watford. We travelled to the game in an accessible minibus that is part of our Club’s official away travel. Having now been to Vicarage Road, our view is that away wheelchair users should not be put off visiting by earlier fan reviews on this page. Equally if like me you are asked bizarrely whether your chair is powered or manual when purchasing tickets (something I have never been asked in buying tickets for 80+ grounds) don’t be concerned by this, as I found it had no significance at the ground. Lots of helpful info available at https://www.watfordfc.com/supporters/disabled-supporters

Arrival and Entry to the Ground
The ground seemed to be in a mixed area of housing and parades of shops not far from the centre of Watford. Even an hour before kick off the area felt congested. Our Club’s coaches and mini-bus were allowed to drop off immediately outside the away turnstiles of the Vicarage Road Stand in a road that had been otherwise closed to traffic. The accessible entrance, which was clearly marked, was slightly to the right and had a small portable ramp over the kerb. What struck me was that the distance between outside and the seating area was exceptionally short.

Seating Area
The seating area for away wheelchair fans is on the right at the top of the steps that go down to the main seating area, in a straight line from the entrance. As this space is tight, be careful not to overshoot!. To give you more space to turn safely, the stewards let down a hinged platform, which seemed pretty impressive and something that I have not witnessed at the 80 other football grounds we have visited. When not in use this platform cleverly doubled as a gate to restrict entry to this area. The area we entered was a metal railed platform in about the middle of the seating. We fitted 3 powerchairs with carers/PAs stood alongside at the rail and we would have probably been able to fit another one in. There were 4 carer seats but they were at the back of the platform some way back from the rail. Not sure how much you would have seen from sitting there. The view from this platform behind the goal, was excellent, completely uninterrupted (and would be even with every seat taken). Good protection from any bad weather. In the far back corner of this platform was a wheelchair platform lift up to a higher similar seating area for wheelchair users where this arrangement was further repeated to an even higher similar level. With 1,700 away fans in the stand, they were seated to the left of us (lower and higher than us) but very visible to us and well within our hearing.

Immediately below us was a short row for ambulant disabled away fans with good leg room that was accessed I think from about the second step down. Like with the wheelchair platforms this provision was also repeated behind us at higher levels. Great to see that tickets for this area had been allocated to autistic fans (who would have found the main stand too challenging) as well as those with mobility issues.

Audio Commentary for VI Fans
Watford FC’s website states it has 21 Soccer Sight headsets with commentary provided by local hospital radio volunteers. To reserve one, it advises you should email the Club at disabled.supporters@watfordfc.com which we did and got a quick response confirming that we could collect the headset from the stewards at the gate on our way in and return to the same at the end. As it was, we forgot to ask on the way in but a receiver and headphones were quickly brought to my husband and collected from him at the end. His assessment was that the commentator and summariser both knew what they were talking about, helpful and fair, even when their own team were unexpectedly losing. No problems with the equipment or reception. My husband has emailed the Hospital Radio team direct to thank them for the commentary.

Accessible Toilet
On your right as you enter. Radar key lock but when I went during the match the nearest steward helpfully unlocked the door for me with a key he had immediately available. Toilet was clean with hot water, hand soap, free sanitary products and hand drier, all white and blue to give best possible contrast. Cubicle was a little small for me to turn in my 6-wheeled chair as the door was half-way on the long side rather than at an end but space overall in this area seems tight and I have encountered smaller loos! Since the match I have been reliably informed that there are only 3 women’s toilets in the away end which resulted in long queues.

Catering
We always take our own as we find it easier that way. I have read since the match though that the sausage rolls at Watford are the best and not to be missed. I also read that the concessions are below the stand and quite cramp so not sure how that would work for disabled fans, perhaps others can comment on this.

Stewards
From the first young steward who met the coach someway from the ground, all the stewards we had contact with were pleasant, helpful and knowledgeable. I was particularly impressed by the obvious care I saw them show to a male teenager who was visibly upset and my husband was equally impressed that one of the stewards came to check his headset was working at the start of each half. He has had headset commentaries at many grounds around the country and never remembers that happening previously. I was struck by how many stewards there were throughout our time at the ground. Having lots of stewards meant they were very effective at keeping the wheelchair platforms as protected areas. When some fans did spill over into the wheelchair platform in an attempt to hurry their exit at the end, the stewards quickly responded in stopping the route they had taken and ensuring we were not pushed.

Leaving the Stadium
After all this positivity it was particularly frustrating that we encountered a problem leaving. Our minibus driver told us that just prior to the end of the game, the portable ramp that we had used going in to get up from the road when we arrived was put in place for us to use but someone else then came along and removed it! The consequence of this was when we came out of the stadium, with a big crowd behind us and around us we were trapped on a fairly narrow pavement with nowhere to go! In contrast to everything up to this point there were no stewards anywhere to be called on. Eventually the message was relayed that we needed stewards. This then resulted in 2 stewards and someone in a suit struggling to put together a suitcase ramp for us to get to our minibus. Hopefully this was a one off, which will be avoided for future fans as it could so easily be.

Once back in our bus, we had no further problems and the exit of the away coaches was well organised to allow the away fans a speedy departure from the stadium.

Overall
Not just because unexpectedly our team won but because of the excellent facilities for away wheelchair fans (in huge contrast to the last big stadium we visited as away fans were there were no wheelchair facilities at the away end) we would have no hesitation in going to Watford again and would encourage other disabled fans to visit Vicarage Road.

I parked Laurence Haynes and took the shuttle bus. Access into it is quite hard as the steps are difficult to manage. Also the bus stopped an uphill walk away from the Graham Taylor stand. I thought it would stop at the top of the service road by the junction with Vicarage Road next to entrance to the GT stand.
After the match, I found the walk after exiting the lift is a slight incline which for those with walking difficulties is a problem.
I hate to moan as WFC are trying to help disabled supporters

While the stadium is closed to supporters at present, the club would be pleased to hear from any disabled supporters who wish to discuss their access requirements ahead of any reduced capacity matches that might take place. Please contact Dave Messenger, the club’s Disability Access Officer, using the details shown on this website

A copy of the club’s covid-19 code of behaviour, which all supporters will be required to adhere to in this event, can be found on the link below.

https://www.watfordfc.com/news/club/code-of-behaviour-for-return-to-spectators-matches

United have received 8 wheelchair tickets for Watford. So where are the other 20 wheelchair spaces?

Mr Powell,

Further to your email dated 15.10.2017, I have now investigated the issues you have raised and can provide the following responses.

Stadium Entry

As you rightly state, the tickets for the pitchside positions refer to entrance 10. This is deliberate on our part for the following reasons.

As you’ll perhaps be aware from previous visits to Vicarage Road in the past two seasons, our Vicarage Roadies matchday meet and greet team are tasked with providing escort to visiting disabled supporters who will be using the pitchside positions. The additional information shared with Alun Francis, Disabled Liaison Officer at Arsenal FC, is copied below.

“Disabled supporters should aim for the ‘Vicarage Roadie’ Information Point next to the Hornets Shop in Vicarage Road. Supporters should then approach Watford’s ‘Vicarage Roadies’ match day meet and greet team, who are dressed in bright green hi-vis jackets and will be stationed outside the stadium from 3.30 pm onwards. The ‘Roadies’ team will be happy to escort supporters to the appropriate accessible entrances and on to the away sections of the stadium”

Alun has confirmed that this information was shared with you ahead of Saturday’s match.

We mark the tickets with entrance 10 as we know the Roadies will not always be approached. The stewards at gate 10 are briefed to ensure that anybody with a pitchside ticket is advised to approach a member of our Vicarage Roadie team. While it is regrettable that the stewards you encountered did not provide that information until much later, I am satisfied that you were eventually given the correct information.

Access to raised platforms

Without the plate mentioned, the raised platform system we have in place would be rendered inoperative. As part of our work towards meeting the accessible stadia commitment made by all PL clubs, the platform system was identified as our best option to make a reasonable adjustment to the visiting section and provide elevated positions. The whole system, including the plate, has been approved by SAG and the EHRC have also viewed the platforms.

Lift access to pitch level

While we would agree it would have been preferable to locate the lift mentioned within the visitor’s section during our ASG works, we were unable to achieve this due to the geology around the stadium and the challenges provided by the built environment at the Vicarage Road end of the stadium.

The only location in which we could build a lift to access the pitchside positions is within the more recently constructed Sir Elton John Stand. We believe this route is preferable to the previous arrangements, which saw visiting wheelchair supporters accessing the stadium at the opposite end of the stadium and represents a further reasonable adjustment to our provision.

The lift is fit for purpose and allows enough room for both a wheelchair and personal assistant, as per the attached images.

View from pitchside positions

All matchday staff in this area of the stadium are briefed about the importance of keeping the view from the pitchside positions clear while the match is in progress. While the images you shared on social media would seem to indicate that our briefings did not have the desired effect, having reviewed CCTV footage of the area during the match, we are satisfied that the view was not compromised for the entirety of the match. We do not agree that the far touchline and goal line are obscured by the ‘crown’ of the pitch.

Refreshment facilities

We operate a seat-side ordering and delivery service for refreshments in all accessible areas of our stadium. On checking with the volunteers from our Community Trust, who manage the service, I can confirm that all areas were covered. When I specifically asked about the away pitchside positions, I was informed that only one cup of tea was requested by another supporter, so I am satisfied that you were approached by our team.

Personal Assistant access to toilets

It is entirely regrettable that your personal assistant was denied access to the accessible toilet until you insisted. We will ensure that all stewards working in the area are reminded of the importance of treating supporters respectfully and apologise for any upset caused.

In conclusion, while we are respectful of your views and thank you for taking the time to share your experience, we do not feel that a refund is due on this occasion. We would also not consider closing the area. Feedback from supporters of other clubs suggest that both the escort provided by the Roadies team and the seat side service are valued by visitors, while the pitchside proximity to the action is also considered in a positive light. This is borne out by the fact that your complaint is the first we have received since comments were posted on the Level Playing Field website by Arsenal supporter Anthony Joy last season.

Watford FC has worked hard to improve facilities for all disabled supporters since making its commitment as part of the Premier League pledge. We hope that by drawing your attention to the services we have in place, your next visit to Vicarage Road will provide a more enjoyable experience.

Kind Regards,

Dave Messenger

Access to the four away fans’ pitch level wheelchair spaces in the corner of the Vicarage Road and Sir Elton John Stands is via a home fans’ area. The entrance number marked on the ticket (Entrance 10, Vicarage Road Stand) is wrong. This is the entrance for the ten elevated away fans’ wheelchair spaces.

Despite telling the stewards on the gate that we were in the pitchside spaces we were admitted and our tickets scanned.

I told the steward inside that we were in the pitchside spaces. He insisted that we follow him. We did, only to be shown to the elevated away wheelchair platform, access to which was via a “drawbridge” manually operated by a steward across the steps for able-bodied supporters. This Heath Robinson design looked dangerous to me. I’m surprised that Hertfordshire County Council has licensed this feature.

On finally understanding that we were in the wrong place a steward took us out of the stadium. He had to ask four colleagues exactly where we should enter the ground.

We entered via a home area. Access to pitch level was via a very cramped lift. The view from our position was appalling, being situated outside the touchline and constantly obstructed by stewards and photographers. The “crown” of the pitch and the level of our position meant that the far touchline and goal line were obscured.

We had no access to refreshment facilities. My companion who is himself disabled was refused access to the disabled toilet in the home area.

The entire experience was horrible. These wheelchair spaces are completely unfit for purpose. I shall be making a complaint under the supporters’ charter demanding a full refund.

Living near to Watford, I was aware that building works continue at Vicarage Road. Match tickets clearly states that the location of away wheelchairs is a temporary arrangement & apologies were given for the inconvenience. Away wheelchairs are in the corner (pitch level) between the Vicarage Road & Sir Elton John stand. You still need to enter via Gate 18 at the Rookery End and walk back along the touchline. Helpers in Green jackets are on hand to escort you through.

The area can accommodate 5 wheelchairs at a push, but it is very narrow, so if you are first in you’ll be trapped in unless all other chairs move out of the way for you (see picture). Talking with stewards they said that Arsenal had sold 8 tickets but the area could only take 5. 3 wheelchairs had to sit by the advertising boards so we may have blocked the view of those behind. My companion’s seat was 6ft away from me so I couldnt talk to him during the game. This was all a bit disappointing; stewards did say that a platform was being constructed mid-stand for up to 15 wheelchairs(?) that could be accessed from street level. Unsure of timescale but hopefully at some point during the 2016/17 season.

So I can make my peace with the seating arrangements, its not ideal or the best but it is a temporary fix. What isnt that excusable is the disabled toilet in the Sir Elton John stand being under an inch of water. It looked to me that the sluice tap near the floor of the toilet was leaking. The amount of water indicated that it had been leaking for a while, and no indication the toilets were being checked or mopped.

Despite a good performance and win for Arsenal, I was really disappointed in the stewarding at Watford. They were rude and inflexible. At the final whistle, the stewards refused to move a barrier to allow us to leave once the players had left the field so to allow the stand to empty. They used words like “safety”, “supervisor said” and “its easier for us (stewards). This went on for over 10 minutes – the stewards even refused to move the barrier to allow one wheelchair to use the toilet! Things became heated and once steward commented that they werent paid enough to listen to our complaints – no one had been abusive, all we wanted was to leave the ground. We would take responsibility for our own safety. When we were allowed to leave, I complained to the head steward; he was extremely apologetic and commented “they wont be working there again”. Worth bearing in mind, if you need to catch a train after the game.

To all away disabled fans I’m Gary Armstrong. I’m on the committee for the enables which is for disabled Watford fans. I’ve read all the comments made and I’d like to say sorry, but at the moment there is loads of work going on the new disabled section at the Vicarage Road end. Watford FC is on the up and by next season it should be finished and disabled fans will be above all other supporters so next time you come you should be nice and dry and on street level.

Kind regards Gary

The away wheelchair supporters are now located pitchside at Vicarage Road, in the very far corner of Sir Elton John stand. We were not in with the rest of the away supporters, which is always a disapointment. As far as I was aware there was no way of gaining any access to the Vicarage Road stand either, so meeting up with friends was impossible.

There were no actual wheelchair bays/markings set out, so I was told to sit next to the other two disabled supporters that were in the ground by the time I arrived. Companions had no seats by us, they were sat a good couple of yards further behind us, not near enough to talk to during the game or to offer assistance to any one who may have needed it. Also, their view from the seats they had wasn’t great and they had to stand up for large parts of the game to be able to see the pitch. A steward told us that once the game kicked off we could move our wheelchairs forward to be against the advertising boardings if it would help us see.

This had to be done as if we had stayed further back our view would have been obstructed by the photographers who were sat to our left. The view from here was ok, although I found it a bit hard seeing play in the corner of the Sir Elton John Stand. There was no cover from having to sit so far forward, so you would get very wet sitting there if it rains.

During the first half there were 5 wheelchair users sitting pitchside, however, during the half time interval another 2 wheelchair supporters were moved here as they’d spent the first half sitting in the wrong part of the stadium. This made it extremely cramped. One of the wheelchair users who had been sitting next to me during the first half ended up sitting behind me for the second half as he lost his “space” whilst going to the toilet at half time. He tried to sit a little further down the Sir Elton John stand by the photographers but was told he couldn’t so the only place he could go was behind me.

The accessible toilets were in the Sir Elton John stand, I was taking to them by a steward, they were accessed by a RADAR key, very spacious and clean.

The other issue that I found disappointing was the access to and particularly from the ground. Stewards escorted you in and down the touchline, past the dugouts to the corner. We were told that we couldn’t leave before the end of the game as we wouldn’t be allowed to go back past the dugouts whilst the game was on. When the game ended, we were then told we couldn’t leave for another 10 minutes to allow the Watford crowd to dispearse and the area around the dugout to clear. Fortunately for Saturday’s game we didn’t need to rush as our train was after 6pm but if we had been travelling back on an earlier train this hold up could have caused problems and if we had have been travelling back home on the coaches we would have been really late getting to them as not only did we have to wait behind for these 10 minutes, the walk back up the path way to Vicarage Road also took at least 10 minutes and if we had been on the coach we would have had to get back around to the away end.To summarise my Vicarage Road trip, the access/egress is quite poor, not having my companion sitting near to me was disappointing as was not being in the same stand as the rest of the away supporters but the stewarding was excellent. All of the stewards who I spoke to were helpful and friendly.

My first trip back to Watford since early 2000’s. Much has changed to the ground since then.

We arrived at Watford Junction around 1pm and got a cab to the ground. We decided to have a walk around the ground but a disabled liason officer approached us and advised us that one part of the ground is blocked off so we’d be best going straight in. Fair enough and we were duly escorted by this chap down the back of the Sir Elton John Stand and through the gates of Rockerry Stand to gain access into the stadium.

Once inside we were further escorted along the front of the Sir EJ Stand, past the dug outs and taken to a concourse area that served snacks, TV screens and shown the accessible toilet. We were met by another disabled liason steward who gave us a quick run-down onthings. The stewarding by bothwas excellent. Really polite and helpful people who were all toohappy to help out.

The wheelchair area for away fans is located by the corner flag of the Sir EJ Stand and right by the away fans. Space is at a premium it has to be said and there are no marked out bays. Companion seats are sat a yard or two behind.

The view, whilst at a low level, is OK, nothing more. There is no shelter from the elements so you’d get drenched should there be a heavy downpour.

The other disappointment is not having the option/freedom of leaving the ground early. This was frustrating especially having to wait until the crowd around us dispersed after the game. Not great when you have a coach waiting or a train to catch. The walk back up the path of the Sir EJ Stand took an age too.

To summarise: The Stewarding is excellent but thedisabled seating arrangements and access in and out of the ground are bothpoor. I am unsure if anything can be done to gain more effective/easier access into the ground. I really hate the idea of having to be held back at the final whistle and go on trek around the ground just to get back to the top of Vicarage Road.

The notion of having a “2nd team” is rubbish, but Having moved to just outside Watford some 12 years ago, I have to confess that I do follow their results and their promotion to the premier league brought a trip back to Vicarage Road for the first time in 8 years.

Any disabled away fan at the Vic will be familiar with the tiny little hut, raised up in the corner. Well the extensive refurb of the stadium has seen that hut demolished (not before time), and while Watford rebuild a wheelchair platform there is a temporary arrangement to place wheelchairs (x5) at pitch side, behind the corner flag between the Vicarage Road and Sir Elton John stands. The view is good, and you are right next to your fans. The tickets are only £5 each. The downside is your companions have no where to sit, you’re open to the elements, and to access the stadium you need to enter via the Watford end and be escorted along the touchline to the area.

Due to some unheard of Premier League rule that says you cannot cross the tunnel area 30mins before kick off Watford asked us to enter at 1630 ( for a 1730 ko). Seemed harsh to us.

Toilets were at the other end of the ground, in with the Watford fans. Watford did offer a waiter service at halftime for hot drinks. Apparently to obtain a beer you could access the SEJ stand.

When you arrive at Vicarage Road, look for the Roadies in the green top who will escort you to the entrance through the crowds. They were a great help.

Attended match as an away supporter on September 14th but ended up missing the first minute due to the fact that we got there and the police were a little bit busy because of the crowds. But to be fair to them they did let us in when all the traffic had dispersed.

I didn’t mind as I went with a friend of mine who is a home supporter anyway. Their ground is ok, it is decent.

Theonly thing I would say in their defence is in some of the disabled section in the away end they have a restrictred view but that is no fault of the club. Very decent home supporters and I wouldn’t hesitate asking Charlton if I could go again.

We only found out their was 6 away spaces available to away fans in the Rookery Lane end after we complained to the steward that we could only see one third of the pitch as we took up our allocated space (no:10) in the Vicarage Road end wheelchair access area on our arrival at the ground.

The wheelchair spaces are marked out and the first 8 are allocated to the Watford disabled season tickets fans. Spaces 8 to 16 are allocated to the disabled away fans. Unfortunately the view is severely restricted from space 8 onwards. The goal on your right is not in your sight line the same for the corner flag at the far end to my left.

The Watford fans explained they did not like to sit in the new Rookery Lane end as the overview at pitch level was not as good as the elevated one at Vicarage Road end.

We have been travelling away fans with the LCFC for some 15 years and this was the most disappointing trip we have made to Vicarage Road ground.

I was asked to pay £27 for the ticket, my carer is free, but is not allocated a seat and is expected to sit at the back of the accessible area, where they would have not been able to see any of the match. I am asked to pay the same price as any other adult paying away fan, who would have been able to see the whole playing surface as it stretched out in front of them. If I had stayed in my allocated space, number 10, I would only have been able to view one third of the pitch.

I am now aware of the other allocated spaces and will be asking for one of these in the future. Unfortunately, this means I will not be able to sit with the other travelling LCFC fans, but as my priority is to watch the team perform I will have to sacrifice my pleasure in being part of the away travel contingency.

I would also like to say the female steward on duty on the day, was absolutely fantastic. She deserved a medal for listening to all of our moans in regard to the view we were all expected to suffer (or not have). The Watford disabled members who fetched our drinks at half time, also listened to our complaints with empathy.

This has been an issue for some years now and we are aware of the on-going development of the Vicarage Road ground, but, please as it is now 2011, try and do something to end this discrimination towards all wheelchair users / chronically ill / ambulant fans. We should be able to have a reasonable view of the game as it is played, whether we win 3 – 2 or lose 3 – 2.

Agree totally with previous comments – try and avoid getting a seat nubers 10+ as you’ll only see 2/3rds of the game