| Harrogate coach drop off point 16:55 - Jan 31 with 1986 views | Witham |
Here's my response from Yorkshire Police who totally ignore my question re disabled supporters
Xanthe Tait, Director of Evolve Legal Services Police Headquarters | Alverton Court | Crosby Road | Northallerton | North Yorkshire | DL6 1BF DX No 68810 NORTHALLERTON 2 | Telephone 01609 643542 | Fax 01609 789987 Our Ref: 1002.2024-25 Date: 31 January 2025 Civil Disclosure Evolve Legal Services Dear Applicant, FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 1002.2024-25 I write in connection with your request for information which was received by North Yorkshire Police on 22 January 2025. I note you seek access to the following information: Q1. Under what legislaon are vising supporters coaches at Harrogate Football Club NOT permied to discharge passengers outside the ground. Q2. And further to the above what consideraon was given to supporters on those coaches who may have physical dicules rendering them unable to walk far. Extent and Result of Searches to Locate Informaon To locate the information relevant to your request searches were conducted within North Yorkshire Police. I can confirm that the information you have requested is held by North Yorkshire Police. Decision I have today decided to disclose the following information to you. Q1 & 2. It is the understanding of police officers attending any football matches at Harrogate AFC that coaches should not stop outside the ground. The road outside the ground is unsuitable for coaches to stop and lined with double yellow lines. Visiting coaches are allocated a car park (drop off and pick up) that is 0.9 miles distance. Officers deployed specifically to any fixtures at Harrogate AFC are instructed to move any coaches on if they are observed stopping outside the ground. The club have their own instruction booklet which is distributed to the visiting team in the days leading up to a fixture. Please note that systems used for recording information are not generic, nor are the procedures used locally in capturing the data. It should be noted therefore that this force’s response to your questions should not be used for comparison purposes with any other responses you may receive. |  | | |  |
| Harrogate coach drop off point on 22:35 - Jan 31 with 1910 views | wessex_exile |
Well that's a fat load of nothing as a reply - well done for asking though Witham! |  |
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| Harrogate coach drop off point on 00:53 - Feb 1 with 1888 views | durham_exile |
| Harrogate coach drop off point on 22:35 - Jan 31 by wessex_exile |
Well that's a fat load of nothing as a reply - well done for asking though Witham! |
A shocking response.
As Wessex says thanks for asking though.
It seems that they have forgotten that up to and including last season the Away coaches were allowed to pick up and drop off right outside the away supporters entrance.
Poor show. |  |
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| Harrogate coach drop off point on 09:26 - Feb 1 with 1844 views | burnsieespana |
Not good to put it mildly Witham.
Do you intend taking it further? |  | | |
| Harrogate coach drop off point on 09:36 - Feb 1 with 1830 views | noah4x4 |
It is probably NOT deemed discriminatory as both able and disabled supporters are not permitted to embark and disembark coaches immediately outside the ground.
However, it is a disgrace that the EFL admit clubs that don’t have adequate access for disabled supporters, and here I include the Harrogate FC guidance that the only accommodation for wheelchair fans is in the home end and they are not permitted to wear team colours (which must be discriminatory?).
Perhaps needs a national broadcaster to pick up the story?….. |  | | |
| Harrogate coach drop off point on 13:44 - Feb 1 with 1765 views | Witham |
I am tempted to reply that they failed to address the aspect of assessing their decision on those with disabilities
Perhaps a copy of my reply to BBC Essex? | | | |
| Harrogate coach drop off point on 16:54 - Feb 1 with 1725 views | Witham |
Before I reply to Yorkshire Police can anyone advise if any of our three supporters have a Blue Badge ? If one of them did then the coach can stop on double yellows to let them off (and park until they return). | | | |
| Harrogate coach drop off point on 18:30 - Feb 1 with 1698 views | wessex_exile |
| Harrogate coach drop off point on 16:54 - Feb 1 by Witham |
Before I reply to Yorkshire Police can anyone advise if any of our three supporters have a Blue Badge ? If one of them did then the coach can stop on double yellows to let them off (and park until they return). |
Noah probably knows better than anyone, but I sincerely doubt Mr Matador (the chap Lyle paid the taxi fare for) has a driving licence - happy to be wrong though. | |
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| Harrogate coach drop off point on 20:34 - Feb 1 with 1670 views | noah4x4 |
| Harrogate coach drop off point on 18:30 - Feb 1 by wessex_exile |
Noah probably knows better than anyone, but I sincerely doubt Mr Matador (the chap Lyle paid the taxi fare for) has a driving licence - happy to be wrong though. |
I don’t reckon Matt drives as he regularly arrives by taxi. No doubt about his disability though. He cannot walk any distance naturally and swings himself between two crutches as if his legs are tied together. An incredibly loyal U’s fan, intelligent, inspiring and cheerful. Works incredibly hard in a supermarket and is also a gifted writer.
I can see how allowing a bus load of 50 fans might cause an obstruction. But how does stopping for a single disabled fan differ from him arriving by taxi, as regards time and traffic obstruction? Harrogate FC should have made better provision. | | | |
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| Harrogate coach drop off point on 16:53 - Feb 3 with 1541 views | Witham |
Having looked at the legislation you don't need to be a driver to be eligible for a blue badge. And more importantly an organisation (such as cusa) can apply for a blue badge if they transport passengers who would qualify for a blue badge. And the definition of motor vehicle in the legislation includes a coach.
So unless there is specific no loading or unloading on a stretch of road then a coach carrying even one disabled person can stop for up to 3 hours provided they display the blue badge.
Hope that helps | | | |
| Harrogate coach drop off point on 08:49 - Mar 10 with 359 views | Witham |
Having seen their advert in the MK Dons programme I looked at levelplayingfield.org.uk
Harrogate's access statement totally contradicts recent experiences and makes them sound like saints. | | | |
| Harrogate coach drop off point on 13:34 - Mar 10 with 288 views | TheOldOakTree |
| Harrogate coach drop off point on 08:49 - Mar 10 by Witham |
Having seen their advert in the MK Dons programme I looked at levelplayingfield.org.uk
Harrogate's access statement totally contradicts recent experiences and makes them sound like saints. |
When you think that Gateshead had to give up their play-off spot last year because they couldn't give assurances about their ground, then it does make a farce of the EFL.
Clubs who cannot cater for the disabled should not be in the league. It really is that simple. [Post edited 10 Mar 13:34]
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| Harrogate coach drop off point on 10:52 - Mar 11 with 169 views | Witham |
Latest email from Harrogate. Puts the blame on CUFC or CUSA for not telling them that we had disabled supporters our coach. I will leave CUSA to take this up if they want.
Hi,
I wanted to clarify that instructions regarding the designated drop-off point were provided to your club. We have consulted with the police on our matchday traffic system and have made improvements to enhance the drop-off options for disabled supporters. The designated drop-off location is now at Willow Tree School, which is closer to the ground than the previous drop-off point.
I had several discussions with Colchester regarding this matter, and as always, we agreed—if required—to meet at the drop-off point and provide assistance, as our Disability Access Officer (DAO) would have done.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, I strongly recommend referring to official club websites rather than third-party sources. Please note that the drop-off point is determined in consultation with the police and local council, and it is not within our direct control.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out.
Kind regards
Hamilton Mattock
Fan Engagement Manager
Tel: 07737888732
harrogatetownafc.com
Harrogate, HG2 7SA | | | |
| Harrogate coach drop off point on 11:40 - Mar 11 with 127 views | durham_exile |
Well done Witham for continuing to pursue this injustice.
The latest Harrogate letter is bleak at best.
It comes under the "all possible assistance short of actual help" banner.
Criminal. | |
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| Harrogate coach drop off point on 12:44 - Mar 11 with 109 views | TheOldOakTree |
Not only does this fall well below the standards that a league club should provide it is also unfair on clubs like Morecambe, Fleetwwod etc that have spent a fortune providing facilities suitable for a league club in 2025. | | | |
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