Disabled Everton fans considering giving up season tickets due to access issues

Martin Macdonald

• 11 Feb 2026 06:01 CST
• 5 min read

Nieuws

A selection of Everton supporters with disabilities are considering giving up their season tickets due to access issues at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees eventually moved into their brand new stadium in 2025 after playing at their old home, Goodison Park, for 133 years.

However, there have undoubtedly been teething issues since the move as fans adjust to the new venue near the docks.

It is proving particularly difficult for fans with disabilities.

John Roberts, a 77-year-old with arthritis, has been watching Everton since 1959.

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"I was excited to visit the new ground. It's obviously frustrating, it's a beautiful stadium but it wasn't built for people with blue badges," he said.

A wheelchair was organised for John after a game but he faced a "painful 20 minutes to get into the taxi".

He added: "On the way out I had a young man organise me a wheelchair when I was ready to go, I can't fault them for that, they were brilliant."

Barry Harrison, who had a season ticket at Goodison Park since 1966, said:

"When I used to go to Goodison, I had my blue badge so it wasn't an issue.

"The first time I went here, I got the train and it damn near killed me, the walk from Sandhills. I'm 85. It's a half-mile walk from the station."

Barry is considering "thinking of chucking my ticket in" due to the journey and that seems to be a common consensus among disabled Evertonians.

BBC's Local Democracy Reporting Service has seen an email by Everton's accessibility team that suggests they were to "come up with alternatives to help our supporters attend the games", including potentially offering free taxis for ground drop-offs.

Only 100 disabled parking spaces are made available in and around the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Mike Penn, 80, says walking to the ground is "a struggle".

"You can't use a blue badge and there is nowhere you can be dropped off by taxi without having a distance to the ground," he said.

"It's probably ok if you are young and fit."

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