DISABLED SUPPORTERS
WELCOME to our information page for supporters with disabilities.
We at Middlesbrough Football Club strive to make football accessible to all.
If you or someone you know has a disability and would like to come to the Riverside Stadium, please contact our Disabled Liaison Officer, Simon Macdonald on 0844 499 1234, or email
ELIGIBILITY
The club reserve the right to check a person's eligibility under the Disabled Discrimination Act (DDA). Any supporter wishing to claim a disabled concession must be able to produce either...
*Confirmation of the Middle or Higher rate of Disability Living Allowance
*Confirmation of the Middle or Higher rate of Mobility Allowance
*Confirmation of the Middle or Higher rate of Attendance Allowance
*Confirmation of the Middle or Higher rate of Severe Disablement Allowance
*Registration document which certifies that they are Registered Blind or Partially Sighted
NB: Receipt of a Blue/Orange badge or incapacity benefit will not be considered sufficient proof of disability to enable you to purchase tickets in our disabled enclosures.
Click here to see a larger version of this map showing entrances and seating area for Disabled supporters at the Riverside Stadium
MATCHDAY SEATING
HOME FANS
The Riverside Stadium has two specific wheelchair enclosures for home supporters on a raised level, one in the West Stand and one in the South West Corner.
There are 30 spaces for wheelchair and carers in the West Stand and 20 spaces in the South West Corner.
There is also wheelchair availability on the front row of the stadium on both the East and West stands should there be no availability in the two home enclosures.
Visually impaired supporters are able to sit alongside their carers in any part of the stadium, providing the seating is suitable for their specific requirements.
VISITING FANS
There is a raised level wheelchair enclosure situated in the away end of the stadium with a capacity of 15 wheelchair and carer spaces.
These tickets will be forwarded to your club for you to purchase directly.
09/10 PRICES
Wheelchair and carer, along with Visually Impaired tickets, are sold on a two-for-one basis.
£26 adult with carer
£16 over-65 with carer
£13 under-18 with carer
VISUALLY IMPAIRED COMMENTARY
"Loop" commentary headsets are available for collection from the Ticket Office collection booth in the main car park near to the Ayresome Park gates.
These are free to season card holders and require a £20 fully returnable deposit for non-season card holders. They must be returned to main reception immediately after the match.
The Riverside Stadium has approximately 100 seasonal Disabled parking spaces, 40 in the main stadium car park and a further 60 in the car park behind the stadium.
The cost for a space for the 2009/10 season is £50.
There are five spaces available for visiting Disabled supporters, which can be booked by telephone on 0844 499 1234.
Subject to availability, there is also general matchday parking which can be purchased for £5 by calling the same number.
However, this is not exclusively Disabled parking so is sold on a first come, first served basis through the ticket office.
MATCHDAY SPECIAL REQUESTS
VISUALLY IMPAIRED COMMENTARY
Hand-held radios are available from the Main Ticket Office on receipt of a £10 deposit.
The "loop" commentary system previously in place at the stadium is under repair and will hopefully be fully operational in the very near future.
ASSISTANCE DOGS
The club do everything possible to assist those supporters with assistance dogs. Due to the design of the stadium, we are only able to accommodate supporters with assistance dogs on our front row seating.
Please contact our Disabled Liaison Officer, Simon Macdonald, on 0844 499 1234 to make the necessary arrangements.
TEMPORARILY DISABLED SUPPORTERS
Any supporter suffering from a temporary disability (for example, a broken leg), which could affect their ease of access while at the stadium, must contact the ticket office on 0844 499 1234 before the match so their seats can be relocated to an area which is more accessible to them.
This relocation will be subject to availability, so please contact us at least a week in advance of the match.
OTHER FACILITIES
DISABLED TOILETS
These are situated in each stand and you will need a key to access them. The keys are available for collection from the main ticket office.
REFRESHMENTS
Each kiosk has lowered counters to make it easier for wheelchair access. On all raised level wheelchair enclosures there is a waitress service in operation to save you having to venture onto the concourse, which can be extremely populated at and around the half-time interval.
AFTER THE MATCH
There is a part of the concourse which remains open exclusively for disabled supporters until 45 minutes after the final whistle, providing shelter and refreshments while the area surrounding the stadium clears.
This can be found in the West Stand Lower concourse towards the South Stand.
CONTACT DETAILS
Simon Macdonald
Disability Liaison Officer
Middlesbrough Football Club
Riverside Stadium
Middlesbrough
TS3 6RS
Telephone: 0844 499 1234
Email: disability@mfc.co.uk
*Middlesbrough Disabled Supporters Association campaigns on behalf of disabled fans and organises trips to most away games.
It has 300 members, including all disabled season ticket holders. Meetings are usually on the last Tuesday of every month in the Players' Lounge at the Riverside Stadium.
The group has a very close relationship with the club and meets officials regularly to discuss issues affecting members.
Click here to visit the MDSA website for more information.
