Rimmington Stand question

Where is the concourse in the ponty end? Do those at the East stand side go up stairs to it? Or the west stand side go down? Or is it split? I can't get my head around it

 

Neither there’s no access from the East but it would be up, it’s level from the West but there’s a gate.

 

Sorry to hear about your fall mate, and I hope you can continue to find a way to keep going and enjoying! You reds

 

It’s just the walk up the steps from the gangway entrance. Should be OK for next season, but after that….

 

What I hate about the steps in the East Stand Lower (not sure if same elsewhere) is that they are completely different heights to each other. The first steps are really shallow and they start to get gradually higher until become what I would consider ‘normal step size’. It’s really weird when walking on them as your brain doesn’t know what step to expect next.

 

Talking about hard to judge steps, I had a fall during a visit to the upper tier of the old stand a few months ago. I was sitting near the front wall so had to go up a few steps to the exit at half time. It’s a weird set up as you enter that area before descending to ground level. I completely misjudged the height of the wooden steps just there and fell sideways and quite heavily. I’ve had really bad left knee pain since then and I’m convinced it’s because of that fall.

You could argue that I was just careless but I bet others have done the same. I thought I was reasonably steady on my feet but that really shook me up and I won’t be going back up there again.

 

I’ve seen quite a few people fall on the stairs. I hope your knee stops playing up soon. It might be worth getting a scan on it if the pain is really bad and not improving.

 

This is exactly the problem JamDrop. I’m unsteady on my feet since I had chemo and it gave me severe neuropathy in both feet. Means I can’t feel them and they just kind of exist at the bottom of my legs. That’s confusing enough but the differing heights adds to it. If only there were a handrail I’d have been hanging on to it and not sitting here like I am now, in pain. I’m getting a lot of pressure from my wife to call it a day but steps (and results!) apart I’m still enjoying the social aspect among good folk I’ve known for years. Besides, after 71 consecutive years I’m still 29 short of my target.

 

A gent who we’ve known for many years was a ESU attendee until he had some issues with his legs so he moved and sat near us a few rows from the back in the ESL, every home game for 12 months I’d walk him down the stairs after the game to the pitch side where he’d exit then via the door under the disabled stand, he then moved to the west stand where he could just walk in on the flat and out again. I’m sure if you put your worries to the club given how long you’ve been going they’ll only be too happy to help plus I’d be amazed if there’s not a few helpful people in the vicinity to help occasionally if needed.
Don’t let her indoors stop you going

 

Thanks, I will if it doesn’t get better. After all those years of deliberately throwing myself around the goalmouth as a keeper I’ve been suffering in both knees for some time but this pain is worse than I’ve known it before.

The good thing about that incident though was that several people saw it and all wanted to know if I was ok and offered to help me up. I was so embarrassed that I just said “I’m ok thanks” and got myself up but you could say it was another reason to pull the old structure down. It was my first visit to this stand for decades and those steps near the exit are ridiculously uneven. I’d be amazed if tripping up wasn’t a regular thing up there - even younger people than me could get caught out.

It was a bit of a nostalgia trip in a way because my very first season ticket was for the Centre Stand, as it was called then. I was 14 (in 1966) and bought it with my paper round money. It cost me £3 and the club secretary took me up there to help me choose a seat. I picked one right next to the Directors box.

 

The West Stand side is completely level. If you go in at gangway 4 or 5, there's no steps to go up due to the positioning of the section for wheelchairs. I believe there are steps at gangways 1 to 3.

 

For what it's worth and whilst on the topic of this stand, the club have had an absolute stinker with the safe standing zone.

The introduction of this area has severely obstructed the sightlines of the disabled stand, particularly towards the Ponty goal and from halfway towards the corner flag in the opposite corner. By improving inclusivity for one group of fans, this has simultaneously impacted another group which already face enough barriers in life. It's mind blowing to me, that this wasn't considered when planning this project.

 

I think this was mentioned at the beginning of this process but obviously those making the decision to install or not ignored the fact that there was an obvious problem siting it there. The other end of the stand would have made more sense but let’s not upset those regular standing fans who would complain about moving to another area (even if it was explained to them). Then again those at the other end would then complain about the disruption.

Looking at that picture though I wonder if it was a good view before because it suggests to me that it wasn’t all that great. In the end though It’s just not been thought through, has it….

 

I thought this would happen. When at Rotherham the other week, safe standing was reserved for the back 4 or 5 rows, running the full length of the stand. I'd have thought this would have caused the least amount of obstruction for people's viewing and arguably improved the atmosphere across the entire stand.

Though I was under the impression that the people sat at that end of the Ponte have always stood up during matches. Of course, that doesn't excuse the lack of foresight on the clubs part.

 

I want the club to do things well. Some of which are complex with factors out of their hands they have to try and mitigate.

It's things like this though that absolutely bake my noodle.

It shows a shocking lack of foresight or joined up thinking and it worries me greatly when simple decisions and actions that should be an easy win are completely bodged.

It shouldn't be this hard.

 

Reminder that the FAB group did point out to the club that going all the way to the front would block the view of the disabled stand and that fab group members weren't aware that the club had installed it all the way to the front


Oh and that this is the licensed standing criteria from the SGSA

There must be no negative impact for disabled spectators.
The ground management must be able to show that the provision of licensed standing will have no negative impact upon the viewing standards, comfort or amenity levels of disabled spectators, either in the area in question or adjoining areas, and that the ground is continuing to meet its responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010.

 

You’re right, it shouldn’t be hard at all. Surely these things are properly researched before getting on with the job? Or am I being naive? Unfortunately it’s a symptom of companies all over these days. Doesn’t matter what kind of business you’re dealing with. Whenever you call people for a service or appointment, for example, you’re mostly dealing with people who have little understanding of your query and seem to have zero competence to do basic things.

This fiasco at the ground says to me that whoever commissioned this project is either stupid or just disinterested in any impact it might have on other people in that corner.

 

That’s a shocker from the club

 

It’s the entrance to Block OR6. Hope that helps