PUBLISHED
12:32 15 February 2012
SECTION 9
DISABLED TICKETING POLICY
Following consultation with the Saints Disabled Supporters Association (SDSA) the purchase of disabled tickets at St Mary's Stadium will be based on the following policy from the 2012/13 season onwards:
Supporters can purchase a disabled season or match ticket at St Mary's Stadium if they are in receipt of any of the following documents:
- Middle Rate Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Attendance Allowance (AA)
- Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA)
- War Disabled Pension
- Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI 2003)
Evidence must be supplied at the ticket office on an annual basis.
If a supporter holds one of the above they are entitled to claim a Season or Match ticket at the Disabled Adult, Senior or U17 rates and also qualify for a free enabler ticket. please note the Enabler is responsible for the needs of the Disabled Supporter, therefore the Enabler should accompany the Disabled Supporter at all times whilst at the stadium.
The Enabler cannot gain free entry without accompanying the Disabled Supporter. Any Enabler attending a Match without the designated disabled supporter must upgrade their ticket at the Ticket Office prior to the Match at the relevant price.
All supporters applying for a Season or Match ticket will need to supply proof of their entitlement of DLA, AA, SDA or CVI by producing a letter or certificate of confirmation from the department of work and pensions.
The ticketing policy for Disabled Supporters has been benchmarked around premier league clubs with the sole aim of achieving a fair and consistent approach to ensure the stadiums facilities are made available to those supporters who need them most.
Southampton Football Club would like to acknowledge the hard work of the Saints Disabled Supporters Association for initiating the review of the previous policies and recommending an improved alternative for the future.
Contact details
Ticket office : tel: 02380 718 601. email: tickets@saintsfc.co.uk
Disabled car parking enquiries : tel: 023 80 711 966
Disabled facilities at St Mary's for home supporters
- 51 upper tier wheelchair spaces
- 117 lower tier wheelchair spaces
Refreshment facilities
Enablers with supporters on raised Disabled Decks will have access to concourse areas for half-time refreshments. If a Disabled Supporter comes without an Enabler a designated steward may assist with refreshments for the Disabled Supporter.
Disabled car park facilities
Disabled car parking is limited at St Mary's Stadium and as are supplied to season ticket holders if available. A waiting for these spaces is in place with the operations department. A disabled badge "drop off and pick up area" is available. This is situated very close to the stadium in the central trading estate located in Melbourne Street.
Access is via Chapel Road and Granville Street to the south of the stadium. It should be noted that this facility is only available for vehicles displaying a disabled badge and is strictly for set down purposes up to 2 hours prior to the match and again for pick up purposes for up to 1 hour after the final whistle. Any vehicles parking in this area are likely to be towed away.
All parking enquiries should be made to the operations team on 02380 711966.
Accessible facilities
There are Accessible Toilet facilities outside St Mary's stadium, these are situated on the North and South sides of the stadium, please see the map below for the locations.
Guide Dogs
Southampton Football Club welcomes any Supporter that requires the aid of a Guide Dog. However, we do need to be notified in advance so, if necessary, alternative arrangements can be made to ensure that both the Supporter and the Guide Dog are both comfortable and in a safe environment.
Supporters with Hearing Loss
Southampton Football Club strives to meet the needs of all Supporters who attend St Mary’s Stadium. For supporters with hearing difficulties we have exceptionally informative signage around the Stadium, which provides details on how to access the Shop, Ticket Office and Reception.
Saints Disabled Supporters Association
Southampton FC is pleased to work with the sdsa to ensure an ongoing dialogue with our disabled fans. the association welcomes contact with disabled saints fans and for further information call 07866 150 784 or click here to find out more.
If you have an issue during a home game please call the number above or ask a steward for one of the SDSA contact cards. If you have any issue during an away game please call the number above.
Saints Foundation
The Saints Foundation operates the saints ability programme offering football coaching opportunities for young people and adults with disabilities. If you would like further information on the work of the foundation please click here.
U Support
Southampton Football Club has developed a partnership with u support which is a charity that provides free tickets to football matches and cultural events for children with disabilities and life threatening illnesses and children that are disadvantaged.
U Support was founded by lifelong Saints supporters Adam and Tracey George in August 2003 after Adam had became registered disabled. since then they have purchased over 5000 tickets for children and their carers at Southampton Football Club's St Mary's Stadium. Click here to find out more.
Safety
The safety of both home and visiting supporters is paramount at all times. Southampton Football Club asks that all supporters with accessible needs are accompanied by an Enabler who should be able to fully support the needs of the disabled person they are assisting. We do not discriminate on the age of the Enabler, however if any assistance is needed by any supporter (including those who are young carers) please speak to the nearest available steward who will be happy to help.
Please be aware that Enablers are required to be with the Disabled Supporter at all times, and we ask that they remain seated. This advice is offered for both security and safety reasons.
Disabled Supporters
If the staff in the away section feel that the position of the seats that a Supporter with accessible needs has been given is not suitable, where possible they will move the Supporter to a safer area. Please be advised that the best seating for Ambulant Supporters is in rows C-F.
Ticketing
If an enabler attends a match without the Disabled Supporter they will not be allowed entry. The ticket will have to be upgraded and will be charged at the full match day ticketing rate.
In accordance with the rules of the FA, FA Premier League and Football League each visiting clubs’ Ticket Office will be allocated the appropriate number of tickets per generic category. The following allocations allow for one Enabler to accompany the Disabled Supporter.
| Ticket Category | Allocation Size | Allocation to visiting supporter |
| Wheelchair Users | Small | 6 |
| Medium | 14 |
| Full | 14 |
| Ambulant Disabled | N/A | 20 |
Accessible Parking
At Southampton Football Club we have 5 parking bays reserved for Disabled Supporters. These are priced at £6.00 which is to be paid on the match day to the Car Park Attendant.
Please ensure that disabled supporters contact Lewis Corlett on 02380 711966 as soon as possible to reserve their space. Please note, that at the time of booking the Supporters Name, Contact Information and Car Registration will be needed.
For further information please call 02380 718601 or email tickets@saintsfc.co.uk
Visiting Disabled Supporters Information
At Southampton Football Club we strive to make the Customer Experience exceptional, and one for supporters with accessible needs to remember.
Further Info for Away Supporters
Each visiting club to St Mary's Stadium receives an allocation of tickets for their supporters. Situated in the Northam Stand, the maximum capacity for disabled fans is:
- 9 upper tier wheelchair / enabler places
- 14 lower tier wheelchair / enabler places
- 6 seats for the ambulant disabled
- 14 seats for the visually impaired
All enquiries should be made to the visiting club.
Away supporters Car Park facilities
There are 6 places available to away disabled supporters on a first come first served basis. all parking enquiries and bookings should be made with the operations team on 02380 711966.