In our view (having been probably 5 times in the past 10 years) Priestfield’s Stadium is not an easy place for away disabled fans to visit and would certainly not recommend it to any disabled fan thinking they would like to try out an away trip for the first time.
Parking
This is a major issue. The stadium is surrounded by narrow residential streets and the nearest car park (where the away coaches drop-off/park) is a long walk from the stadium across two busy roads and a railway (footbridge over the railway is steps, only flat access is across the railway lines). The pavements around the stadium are uneven, littered with dustbins and parked cars, which are often blocking the dropped kerbs, kerbs generally are very high. We have been advised that Blue Badge holders can use the residents only parking for 3 hours in the streets round the stadium if they display their Badge and clock but we would want to check this out before we did so! There is a network of alleyways running between the streets around the stadium, but be warned, we have found these locked at the end of the game, turning what was a short walk into a very long one.
Seating Areas
Away fans are seated in both the (long standing) temporary stand behind the goal (which has no cover at all) and the nearest quarter of the adjacent Gordon Road Stand. Access to both are at pitch level for those requiring easy access seating and away wheelchair users occupy the space in front of the first row in both stands (there are no wheelchair areas as such). Whilst the Gordon Road stand provides cover from the rain, the space for people to pass in front of wheelchair users is very narrow. After experiencing a fight break out in this narrow space between opposing fans we have said if we go again to Gillingham we would rather get wet in the temporary stand that is exclusively away fans than be in the Gordon Road stand with home fans walking past.
Accessible Toilets
Make sure you take your radar key as the last time we were there the stewards could not find theirs! Over the years, we have had some issues with these toilets being dirty and no hot water/hand soap etc.
Audio Described Match Commentary
Available to away fans but have to be collected and returned to the opposite side of the stadium, which is not always easy at the end of games. You also have to give your credit card details, which will be debited with the cost of the headset if it is not returned. Headsets have to be pre-booked by contacting the DLO.
Gillingham’s Disability Liaison Officer
Ben Reeves (not the player!) tel 01634 3000000 BReeves@priestfield.com
if we can be of any further help in respect of visiting Gillingham or accessibility issues in general, please do contact us at disabilitymkdsa@gmail.com
Happy travels.
Jo & Jeff
Disability Officers, MKDSA
