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24th Jan 2017

Old Trafford’s capacity is getting reduced for a very admirable reason

2,600 season ticket holders will be affected.

Ben Kiely

There are going to be significant changes to the seating at Old Trafford over the coming seasons.

Manchester United have confirmed that 2,600 season ticket holders will be moved in order to create 300 new places for disabled supporters. This move will see them comply with the Accessible Stadia guide.

United’s wheelchair spaces will be increased from 120 to 277 and their move will increase pressure on other Premier League clubs to comply with the disability requirements by the August deadline.

The work is set to be completed by August with the new area being fully accessible ahead of the start of the 2017/18 season.

To ease into the change, the club will spread the relocation of the season ticket holders affected over three years, with 800 being moved before the start of each season during that period.

Recognising that this may cause inconvenience to loyal fans, the club have vowed to cover the cost, should those affected be moved to more expensive seats, and will also provide free tickets to all cup ties played at Old Trafford for a year as compensation.

Chas Banks, secretary of the Manchester United Disabled Supporters’ Association welcomed the disabled seating boost at the ground.

“I’m filled with pride that the club I’ve supported since first coming to Old Trafford as a little boy in 1957, is leading the way in increasing accessible seating to meet the standards set out in the Accessible Stadia guide”

“It’s a dream come true for me and many other disabled United fans.”

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