Ground alterations

[Dan Tanner]

There seems to be an assumption that wheelchair spaces need to be at the front - why?
Seating can be anywhere as long as the area is raised, so it could be at the back or in the middle - look around away grounds and you will see what I mean. Between the home/away fans at Watford half way up the stand. Half way up at Stoke. Everywhere at Man City including right up at the back Also the coldest wettest place in most stadia is at the front. That's why so many wheelchair users look as if they arrived prepared for Arctic weather or a monsoon. It's not just wheelchairs though. Many disabilities are not visually obvious, and a few people need changing facilities. At most grounds that needs to be done by lying on the toilet floor. People on the autism spectrum need different facilities and so on and so on.
It's hard to make excuses for PL clubs when the game at that level is awash with money. It's the will that's missing. Fortunately although we are stuck with an old ground at the moment there is a will to achieve the minimum requirements and the staff at Everton are brilliant

Can't remember if it was arsenal or city that have a disabled section just behind the lower tier of supporters. It looks good, is well sheltered from the elements and has a great view of the pitch as I've been sat in front of it a few times.

I think it's a great move by everton to do this even with a new stadium possibly on the horizon. Plus the last major improvement in the church corner seems very well done, my mate had to move but ended up in a better seat. Just please don't add more spaces to the paddock or in front of the lower Gwladys, all those loons down there contribute to messing with the linesmans/refs mind and terrorising the life out of them. I've seen many of the disabled fans down the paddock smashing crutches or screaming like Demented banshees at the terrified linesmen, it's a joy to behold sometimes as you can see the officials physically shrink at the abuse. I think the dynamic between the fans down there is just right and on a good angry day/night at the old lady they all do there duty above and beyond