City Need New Approach For Wheel Chair Supporters

Last updated : 25 February 2011 By Covsupport News Service

Imagine this scenario. Injury or illness has forced you into a wheelchair and you want to go and see Coventry City play at home.

So you contact the club to find out about wheelchair spaces and then discover that all the available spaces at the Ricoh Arena for City home games are currently taken and the one, yes you did read that right one, other space that is available on a match by match basis has been bought by someone as part of a mini-season ticket, so nothing is now available until after the Millwall home game.

Yet week in, week out, you know that we have a stadium and soon to be 2012 Olympic venue which is often less than half full, whilst seats which disabled supporters or others forced into a wheelchair could be using, stay empty.

This horrible scenario which God forbid happens to any of you, is unfortunately currently a reality for some of our supporters.

However, one solution which might solve some disabled or those in a wheelchair due to injury supporters admittance problems is for them to be allowed to be wheeled around the perimeter track and then helped by carers and friends to seats in the front few rows of which stand they want to go in.

It happens at other grounds around the country and back in late 1960's and early 1970's, City supporters were used to the sight of those blue cars being driven round the pitch to the Sky Blue Stand.

If the Ricoh Arena is truly accessible for all as is claimed then a bit working between the club and stewards will ensure that all supporters wishing to see a City home game are able to do so and it is not a privilege reserved only for those able to walk into the ground.