Bristol Rovers

Bristol Rovers FC Disabled Supporters Association

The official Bristol Rovers FC Disabled Supporters Association (BRFC DSA) is an independent supporters group formed in May 2017. It is run by disabled supporters for disabled supporters.

The role of the BRFC DSA is:

• To represent all disabled supporters of Bristol Rovers FC in their dealings with the club.
• To assist with improving the facilities and policies that affect disabled supporters.
• To bring together disabled supporters along with their family and friends - by encouraging and organising social events and meetings to air views and gather feedback that can be presented to the Football Club.

The BRFC DSA wants to offer help to all disabled fans on match days.

Our representatives will contact visiting clubs (irrespective of whether they have a DSA or not) and offer our assistance to any disabled members of that club concerning their visit to The Memorial Stadium.

All Bristol Rovers supporters are welcome to join the BRFC DSA – after all, disability affects everyone. Family, friends, PAs are all welcome to join along with our disabled supporters.

If you wish to join the BRFC DSA or for any enquiries/information, please email our Secretary via DSAbristolrovers@outlook.com.

We are also on social media - you can find us on Twitter/X @BRFCDSA, Facebook Bristol Rovers FC Disabled Supporters Association and Instagram bristolroversdsa2023.

The club's Disability Access Officer is Clare McDonagh.

ClareMcDonagh@bristolrovers.co.uk

0117 909 6648

The Memorial Stadium sadly has extremely limited match day parking due to our residential location. There may be street parking available in the roads close to the stadium but please do check local road signs before parking as the Club has a good relationship with its neighbours which it wishes to cultivate. We would encourage all supporters travelling to the ground to use public transport wherever possible. The service is good and it helps to promote our environmentally friendly image.

The Club has 30 disabled bays which are currently fully booked by home season ticket holders. However if you wish to be added to the waiting list please do contact the Club as spaces on occasions become available, even mid season. The Club does provide a handful of parking spaces for our disabled visitors which can be booked via Clare McDonagh (claremcdonagh@bristolrovers.co.uk). The available numbers do vary between matches for both home and away fans depending on anticipated crowd sizes.

All local buses are now wheelchair accessible and many have low floor access and all recognised assistance animals can travel for free. The closest bus stop to the Memorial Stadium is Filton Avenue which is off the Gloucester Road at one end and Muller Road at the other end.

Uber and Private Hire services operate in Bristol and many are wheelchair accessible and can provide a suitable alternative to the bus or car. The recommended point of drop off is Filton Avenue as this is the only access point to the ground.

The club shop, reception, executive boxes, all bars and the ticket office all have disabled access and the only area of the ground not currently accessible is the Uplands Stand (East).

The Memorial Stadium is accessible to disabled supporters and has 19 spaces for home supporters and 6 for away fans. The home spaces are currently fully booked by season ticket holders, but if away fans do not take up their allocation, there may be extra spaces available on a match by match basis.  Wheelchair supporters are also able to bring a carer/companion free of charge.

There is an area within the South Stand set aside for home and away ambulant disabled fans however they may choose to sit or stand elsewhere within the Stadium. The South Stand is under cover and sheltered plus it has easy access to nearby disabled toilets.

Home disabled fans who wish to be added to the waiting list please do register with the Club. Be aware that a proof of disability is required for first-time applicants to prevent the system being abused.

The Safety Officer, James Hillier (jameshillier@bristolrovers.co.uk) and the Senior Safeguarding Manager, Louise Smith (louisesmith@bristolrovers.co.uk) can assist you with safeguarding on match day. On a match day all the stewards and club officials will be more than happy to offer guidance and support to all disabled fans. All non match days queries can be posed to Clare McDonagh (01179524001 clare@bristolrovers.co.uk)

You can view our Disabled Supporters Policy HERE.