about the disbaled facilities for home fans. The weather last night was atrocious and people in wheel chairs were stuck there in the pouring rain getting soaking wet. In 2008 this is totally unacceptable and disgraceful. Even years ago when we had a pit of a groud the facilities for the disabled were a little better with a roof over their heads.

Everyone I was speaking to at the game couldn't believe the situation. If you want to stand on the Mill House terracing that is your choice but why is it that the only choice for people in wheelchairs is a rain sodden area whith restricted views as it it on ground level and when people walk past you can see nothing.

The away end disabled area is far better whith a covered area and clear views for the fans. Why is this???????? I would certainly like to know.

Its a pity in our Centenary year when a new lounge has been built to celebrate the fact that nothing has been done to enhance the facilites for vulnerable people who certainly need the help.

Some things have improved but others are lagging behind and going backwards.

Rant over I feel a little better but not much.

wholeheartedly agree with you on this one. we take my dad who is wheelchair bound and find the area really poor.
Its not just the fact that it is uncovered,it's the view which is shocking. anything that happens in the rink end half of the ground is very difficult to see.bear in mind he can't stand up to get a better view,and there are several regulars in there who because of there condition are sat at an even lower eye level than me dad is,so they must get an even worse view.
it's great that pools let a "helper" in free with each person but to be honest when I've gone in I've missed a lot of the match because of the view,it's bloody cold in their at the best of times and although me dad goes in well prepared with blankets etc it's got to the point where he thinks it's too much fuss for us all to bother.
There is also the issue of parking outside the ground to get access for his wheelchair as well,the top end of clarence road is often blocked with police vans etc.

I had the same thoughts last night also.
It also got me wondering about how they access all other facilities in the ground, and as has been said ingress and egress must be difficult with many people wondering past them...
any development within the ground must also focus on this problem.

Surely it wouldn't take much to put a perspex roof over the disabled enclosure at the bottom of the Cyril Knowles? It's not as if it would inhibit anyones view. The problem with the rain last night was it was driving into the stands the bottom few rows of the Town End and Cyril Knowles were both both soaked and that's not nice for the people who don't have an option where they sit.

If the Cyril Knowlesand town end front rows were getting battered then think how them in the dug-out felt and most of all them 25 actually on the field, poor sods

Agree entirely. These disabled facilities are disgraceful. Despite numerous improvements to the ground over the years this is one facility that has remained unchanged. Even when it is dry the view is dreadful, especially for those who have to sit in wheelchairs, but when its as bad as it was last night it is just totally unacceptable in this day and age.

Money has been spent developing the ground - but most of this has been on facilities to increase revenue for the club. It could be argued that improving facilities for disabled people would not bring in more income. I wonder however, how many people with a disability actually choose not to go to games as a direct result of the fact they are stuck in such an appalling area.

HUDSA have lobbied for a change since their formation in 2001. Certain things were mentioned but NOTHING has been done. A total disgrace, great to show off new classrooms and lounges but very poor to the way less abled people are treat.

I know Darlington's ground is often laughed at on here and it is a new development but their facilities for wheel chair users are superb. maybe they listened to their disabled people when this was designed.

Its just a sad state of affairs when so much has been done to improve facilities, that very little has been done to help people in wheel chairs.

In fairness as darlow's ground is a lot newer, they would have had updated building regs to stick to especially with the DDA coming into force.Can't see IOR spending anymore until they own the ground.

No that's still the same as well, very frustrating indeed.

Hey Mr Aplleyapper did you drop my bottle of vino off in the Greenies?

All i can say is i was there last night and witnessed the conditions our disabled fans had to sit in.I am totally ashamed of the club I did make a phone to the club for a club rep to come out from their warm offices to witness what our disabled fans had to sit in, unless they sneaked along without me knowing there was no show from a club offical. £400 for a season ticket for a resticted view, pis@sed on, no protection from a ball flying at you. GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER POOLS

Perhaps a minor point compared to those made above, but does the stand really have to have a great sign reading 'DISABLED STAND' beside it ??
Having special needs doesn't mean you need a label attached, does it.

Totally agree. This was put up when certain people sponsored the area, now isn't that simple idea get someone to put a rof on the area and sponsor that. Simple really.

A good idea, but the club need to look at the situation and bring some sort of understanding of the issue first. But if this is to be a way forward then fabulous and it can be called the Bunker supporters area.

Count me in to help if it's possible.

Having hardly ever been over on that side of the ground to see this enclosure, what type of work is involved with getting a roof on it and would there be any other sightlines to take into consideration when doing it?

What's the chances of the club letting us in to have a look at what would / could be done?

Anybody got any clear and relatively close up photos they could post on here?

We need a QS and an estimator to have a look. Ripper/Fatty, know anyone?

Count me in to do what I can.

Brilliant stuff folks. I will be talking to the club hopefully tomorrow so I can mention this to them. Something has to be done even if it is a 50 50 partnership. It is 2008 and this situation just can't go on. If anyone has a photo of the area please post one.

I'll clean it's windows after its built!



joking aside, if i can do owt I will

Once we have an idea of the cost involved it gives us scope to look at sponsorship too.

appleyapper - I am trying to sort out a signing session with an ex-pools player. I have a few pairs of his match boots. If l can get a pair signed - sooner or later, l would donate any funds raised at auction towards helping Hudsa with the building costs. If the bunker let me put the auction link on the site? That would help raise a few more bob for the cause.

Good luck talking to the club - you will nead it

What about moving it, there has to be a better location.

Are they the boots Gordon watson put in the bin?

lve got his home signed promotion shirt. Also his away shirt signed buy the full squad, but no boots. I must of walked straight past that bin....bugger

i want the kipper mike newell hit him with (allegedly)

I was thinking that too if the sightlines on erecting a roof are a problem to seats in the stand behind.

How about in front of the Town End in the Clarence Road corner? People on a terrace are able to move to get a view when those in seats can't. Or could there be space in the corner between the Town End and the Clarence Road stand?

A site visit might be required.

the unused corners seem like an ideal idea to me like....

Agree totally. Great that there is so much enthusiasm but given the current location I can't see any sort of cover being appropriate. Even in the seats people have to move back a few rows to avoid getting soaked when the wind is blowing in - which it usually is. This would also impact upon access along the front of the stand - which is quite tight and does nothing to give people with a disability a better view of the game free from people going back and forth.

I'm sure something can be done with that.

Forgive my ignorance Phil but doesn't a disabled bog just have to be wider and have a hand rail and a ramp?

A closer view, of some of the disabled enclosure.

They should have more space to allow wheelchair access where someone may need to transfer from the chair to the loo and also have more space to allow a carer to assist the person. Hand basins should also be lower as well as light switches and an emergency rip chord to alert people if there is a problem.
As you rightly say wider access (to allow for a wheelchair) ramps and handrails are also a requirement.

All the posts above reminded me why I love the Bunker ...........

and why Poolie Pride wasn't a one hit wonder......