MDF Magazine Issue 53 August 2017

People
Getting it right
White Hart Lane
By Steve Davies
My name is Steve and I have Becker Muscular Dystrophy
and am a big Tottenham fan. My experiences
of going to live football have always been very positive
and I was quite surprised to hear that other football
grounds seem to be letting down its disabled
fans including those in the top division.
I went to my first game about 4 years ago after a
chance meeting with a friend of a friend at an MD
fundraising event who organised accessible tickets.
I didn’t think that I would ever go to a match due to
my disability but was pleasantly surprised at the access
and support, I got the bug big time.
Since my first outing I now get to a few games a
season with either my sister or my mum who get a
free personal assistant ticket. Currently I’m in a bit
of a transition phase between still being able to walk
and using a manual chair when attending games.
However this is not a problem as I can wheel to my
seat and transfer taking away the worry of falling
and, when the time comes, have the option to sit in
the wheelchair area.
Tottenham’s ground, White Hart Lane is an old stadium,
and like many old buildings making them disabled
friendly is not always simple, however here
they have worked hard to provide great facilities for
disabled people both in wheelchairs, ambulant supporters
and those in between.
They have facilities such as locked disabled toilets
with the disabled stewards having RADAR keys preventing
use and abuse by others. They also have
separate refreshment facilities to reduce queuing
time and avoid having to negotiate large numbers of
people. The disability stewards are a super group of
people who are always very welcoming to the regulars
and first timers alike. Nothing is ever too much
trouble which all adds to the great experience.
The view from the seats I have sat in have generally
been good apart from when people around me
stand up celebrating a goal. There is also one obstacle
which is nothing to most people, a small step
no more than 4 inches high between the front row
and the path in front of it which I think is there to
stop the front row from flooding. The stewards are
always very apologetic about this every time I go
as it takes me time to negotiate but they are always
there to assist, along with whoever I’m with or fellow
supporters, so it’s never an issue.
The club seem clued up on disability with their own
disability liaison officer, Shirley, who is always available
on the phone to assist with any issues and she
is present on match days.
They also have a Disabled Supporters Association
which I am a member of who provide a voice to the
club regarding all issues surrounding disability.
They are in the process of building a new stadium
and seem forward thinking to be able to improve
on what is already in place. This is exciting from
my point of view as the improvements will enhance
the experience such as having no small obstacles to
overcome and better views.
I know I’m fortunate to support a team who can
make necessary changes as not all clubs are able
to and some think they can just shy away from it.
Going to live sport is great so why should having a
disability mean missing out or putting up with poor
conditions? This is why the Trailblazers campaign
on access to spectator sports is so vital to highlight
issues to improve access for all and make that difference.
Article published 23/09/2016 online at: http://www.
musculardystrophyuk.org/blog/getting-it-rightwhite-hart-lane/
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