Dover Athletic FC were able to build a new £1.3m stand at their Crabble Athletic ground thanks to a £400,000 grant from the FSIF. The new all-seater stand accommodates 495 fans, with an additional six wheelchair bays located on a raised platform for optimal viewing.
From FSIF Focus Year in Review
The new wheelchair bays are complimented by fully accessible toilet facilities and lifts, making the matchday experience for disabled fans more comfortable and enjoyable. Dover supporter, Jason Cloke, was delighted to see these improvements, saying: “This new stand is fantastic – it has completely transformed the way I watch football. The Premier League’s investment here means that disabled fans now have a state-of-the-art facility, which is just brilliant. I’ve been coming to Dover games for 22 years and I’m more excited than ever now!”
The club also used part of the grant to construct new changing rooms for players and officials and improve the toilet facilities for supporters at the 5,745-capacity venue. As a result of the funding, should the club gain promotion to the EFL, they will meet FA National Ground Grading Criteria.
Jim Parmenter, Chairman of Dover Athletic said: “The new stand and improvement works here at Crabble Athletic Ground are fantastic for the supporters and the club. Our disabled fans now have better access to our seated stand, as well as improved toilet and lift facilities. These play a massive part in making the ground an enjoyable place for our fans to come and watch football. As a club, we are always looking for ways to improve the match day experience for our fans and our new stand, funded by the FSIF, does just that”.
Level Playing Field General Manager Ruth Hopkins said, “We are pleased to hear about the improvements at Dover FC and particularly the new facilities for wheelchair user supporters. Having an elevated viewing position with appropriate access and toilets nearby is essential to providing an inclusive match day experience. This is another project funded by the Football Stadia Improvement Fund that benefits a non-league club and has placed accessibility at the heart of the project”.
15.12.2017