A fan of Coventry City for nearly fifty years tried to buy a season ticket for the 2010/11 season, but couldn't! Why? Because he is a wheelchair user and there are not enough wheelchair spaces at The 32,600 seat Ricoh Arena.
All wheelchair spaces have either been sold or are reserved for current season ticket holders to exercise their option to renew for the next season. Only if some of the current holders of wheelchair space season tickets fail to renew by 23rd May will wheelchair spaces become available for purchase. This is fair enough, long standing (excuse the expression for wheelchair users) disabled season ticket holders ought to have first refusal, but the current situation appears to discriminate against a first time season ticket buyer. The current 'early bird' price expires on the 23rd May, so any new wheelchair bound fan wanting to buy a season ticket will automatically have to pay the higher price and that is if a space becomes available.
There area few wheelchair spaces available to buy on a first come first served basis for non season ticket holders, but it would seem there are not enough. The club launched a campaign to attract new and so called stay away fans in an attempt to fill the stadium and to watch Coventry City. Attendances did rise a little when the team had a winning run and rose up the Championship league table to eighth place, but with the recent disappointing run seeing even the remote chance of a play off spot vanish, many fans have stated they will not be renewing their season tickets for next year.
If the club is serious about wanting to expand its fan base, it should include those fans who find themselves unable to walk. There would appear to be a demand for more wheelchair spaces. If a fan cannot buy a season ticket for next season and there is certainly currently enough space at The Ricoh Arena to accommodate them. The club is desperate to put bums on seats, but some of those who want to are being excluded.
Coventry City Football Club Director, Mr. Joe Elliott has promised to look into the situation at the earliest opportunity.