Stafford Rangers highlights accessibility

Stafford Rangers FC is proud to highlight the many ways that the club works to ensure local, non-league football at The Stan Robinson Stadium is welcoming and accessible to all supporters, whether they are disabled or not.

As a community club at the heart of Stafford, we believe football should be open and enjoyable for everyone. We are, therefore, continually working to make the match day experience as inclusive as it can possibly be.

Accessible arrival and entry

Disabled parking spaces are available, located just inside the entrance, roughly halfway between the clubhouse entrance and the ground entrance gate.

While the number of spaces is limited, supporters can reserve these in advance by contacting the club to help ensure a smooth and stress-free arrival on matchday.

The stadium benefits from flat access throughout the entire site, with no steps required to move around the ground. Ramps are available wherever raised areas exist.

Entry to the ground is via an open gate rather than narrow turnstiles, allowing easier access for wheelchair users, mobility aids and supporters who may require additional space.

All dogs are welcome at the ground, including assistance dogs.

Wheelchair viewing area

There is a dedicated, covered viewing area for wheelchair users, located just inside the ground next to the players’ tunnel and pitch-side near to the corner flag.

The covered hut comfortably accommodates around four to six wheelchair users, with space for companions or carers alongside them.

Supporters using wheelchairs are also free to move elsewhere around the ground if they prefer.

The club also hopes to expand this wheelchair viewing area in the future to increase capacity.

Accessible facilities

An accessible toilet facility is located inside the clubhouse, which can be reached via ramps for step‑free access.

The club also has plans for further improvements, including its first accessible toilet within the ground, which will be built this close season.

Accessible Clubhouse and Bars

The clubhouse and hospitality areas all feature step‑free access with ramps, to ensure that supporters can comfortably access the club’s social spaces.

• Eric’s Bar
• The John Downing suite
• The Stan Robinson suite
• The Chairman’s suite – Used for hospitality on match days
• The Fans Bar (located to the rear of the seated stand)

All of these spaces are wheelchair accessible, ensuring all of our supporters can enjoy the full match day experience.

A Quiet Space for Supporters

The Fans Bar acts as the club’s designated quiet space on match days for supporters who may benefit from a calmer environment, away from the crowds.

While the match cannot be viewed directly from this room, live radio commentary is played through a Bluetooth speaker so that supporters can follow the game.

This setup has proven helpful for supporters who are blind or partially sighted, those who are deaf or hard of hearing using live transcription apps, and anyone who may benefit from reduced sensory stimulation.

There is also access* to:

• Soft toys
• Fidgets
• Colouring activities with pens
• *available upon request at the Bar.

Matchday Support

Stewards and volunteers are always happy to assist supporters where needed to help ensure everyone enjoys their visit to Marston Road.

Supporters who wish to plan their visit in advance are encouraged to get in touch with the club. Accessibility enquiries can be sent to: edi@staffordrangersfc.co.uk

Supporters can also contact the club via the website’s Contact Us page, or by calling the club office on 01785 602430.

Working With the Community

Stafford Rangers regularly works with local organisations to further their aim in making local, non-league football more accessible.

The club has previously welcomed visits from local care homes whose residents occasionally attend matches by minibus, in addition to other support and welfare services.

The club also partnered with the Stafford branch of the National Autistic Society for an Autism Awareness initiative last season and hopes to work collaboratively with them again soon.

Supporting Inclusive Communication

As part of the club’s commitment to inclusion, players from the first team and Under‑21s have recently been provided with sign language information cards.

These cards help players to introduce themselves and explain their playing position using their shirt number in sign language, as well as having access to the full finger‑spelling alphabet.

Always Looking to Improve

Whilst the club is proud of the accessibility currently in place at The Stan Robinson Stadium, and for football at our level, Stafford Rangers recognises that accessibility is an ongoing journey.

A walk‑around accessibility review was completed with a contractor last season and we have since been in touch with a number of representatives at The Staffordshire FA for their engagement and support in those planned improvements.

The club would like to welcome feedback directly from both home and away supporters that have visited the ground, to help shape future developments. If you have any thoughts on what works well and what we could improve, please get in touch with our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Megan Ratcliffe, and help us to build a more inclusive, accessible space for our community.