This Is Premier League

Stoke helping make matches available to all

11 Jun 2018
Wheelchair-using fans attend Stoke v AFC Bournemouth in 2017/18

How the Potters have improved the matchday experience at the bet365 Stadium for all of their supporters

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Stoke City's extensive work at their bet365 Stadium demonstrates how Premier League clubs go to great lengths to continually improve their stadiums for all fans.

As well as increasing the ground's capacity to more than 30,000 by filling in a corner to provide an additional 1,800 seats, the Potters also modified access to the stadium for wheelchair users.

The work followed consultation with wheelchair-using fans, who put forward their ideas of how the club could improve the matchday experience.

"We really took their opinions on board," explains Rob Killingworth, Stoke City's Health and Safety Manager and Access Officer, in This is Premier League, the Premier League's official season review.

"One fan told me he'd never seen a corner in 10 years because fans would stand up in front of him.

"As a result, we raised the viewing platforms in 17 of our mid-tier wheelchair bays, introduced two high-level bays and three bays at pitch level so wheelchair users get a far better experience."

In addition to these changes, Stoke introduced an "Access Room" for fans who struggle with loud, large crowds and also enhanced their changing rooms and toilets for all disabled fans.

"It's been so beneficial," Rob adds. "The feedback we've had has been great. Existing fans say it has made the stadium a lot easier to visit and we're also attracting new disabled supporters as well, so it's opened up some fantastic avenues for everybody."

See: This is Premier League

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