CAR PARKING
There are two car parks at Blackwell Meadows. The ‘Lower Car Park’ is exclusively for ‘Blue Badge’ holders only.
The ‘Main Car Park’ is available to all visitors and the parking spaces are between 110 and 160 metres from the stadium entrance.
There are 7 standard sized spaces in the ‘Lower Car Park’ available on a match-by-match basis to home and away ‘Blue Badge’ holders. These spaces are approximately 60 to 70 metres from the turnstiles.
There are also 4 larger spaces available on a match-by-match basis for vehicles with rear or side hoists/lifts. These spaces are between 15 and 25 metres from the ‘Home’ turnstiles and are segregated from circulating traffic. No vehicles will be permitted to enter to this area within 30 minutes of the scheduled kick-off in order to prevent any conflict with spectators queuing at the turnstiles. There will be no exceptions to this rule.
Tickets for spaces in the Lower Car Park need to be obtained in advance by selecting the appropriate ‘Blue Badge’ tickets online at https://yourclub.darlingtonfc.co.uk/match-tickets and must be presented to our initial car park sentry steward, along with a valid ‘Blue Badge’.
These free ‘Blue Badge’ tickets are issued on condition that a ‘Disabled’ match ticket is purchased on the same order.
Online applications for car park tickets close at 12.30pm for 3pm kick-offs, and 5pm for 7.45pm kick-offs.
Parking for ‘Blue Badge’ holders is free of charge, subject to a valid Blue Badge being clearly displayed in the front windscreen. If a valid ‘Blue Badge’ is not clearly displayed, the driver will be directed to the ‘Main Car Park’ where the £5 parking charge will apply. There will be no exceptions.
If there are no spaces in the ‘Lower Car Park’, ‘Blue Badge’ holders may park in the ‘Main Car Park’ free of charge without pre-booking subject to availability and a valid Blue Badge being clearly displayed in the front windscreen.
‘Blue Badge’ holders who are also season ticket holders can apply for a season car parking pass. However, new season passes are no longer available for the 24/25 season.
SEGREGATION
A small number of Darlington FC home are segregated. On these occasions, ‘Away’ wheelchair and mobility scooter users will be required to enter the stadium through the gates next to the ‘Away’ turnstiles. Parking for ‘Away Blue Badge’ holders would be provided in the Main Car Park, and these spaces are between 50 and 70 metres from the entrance to the ‘Away’ end of the stadium.
DROP-OFFS/PICK-UPS
We have a dedicated layby for those with mobility issues to be dropped off close to the entrances to Hospitality and the ‘Home’ turnstiles. The stewards will direct you into this layby if you let them know where you want to be.
No vehicles are allowed to enter or leave Blackwell Meadows from around 10 minutes before the final whistle and until the mass of pedestrians has left the site, which could be up to 30 minutes after the final whistle. There are no exceptions, apart from emergency vehicles. Therefore, any pick-ups would need to be arranged outside of these times.
WHEELCHAIR USERS
Darlington Football Club has wheelchair bays available for both home and away supporters.
The ‘Home’ wheelchair bays are situated at the front of Block C of the seated stand. The ‘Away’ wheelchair bays are situated at the front of Block E. The bays can accommodate mobility scooters as well as wheelchairs. Carers are allocated seats next to wheelchair users.
All wheelchair bays are situated at ground level.
Wheelchair users and their carers are not required to pay the ‘Stand Upgrade’ fee.
STADIUM ENTRY
Wheelchair/Mobility Scooter users are requested to enter the stadium through the gates next to the turnstiles. Carers are requested to pass through the turnstile to validate the tickets. Unaccompanied Wheelchair/Mobility Scooter users are requested to present their admission tickets (or means to pay) to the steward at the entry gates and they will validate them (or purchase a ticket) at the turnstiles.
CARERS/PERSONAL ASSISTANTS
Anyone receiving medium to high-rate Disability Living Allowance (mobility or care), Enhanced Rate Personal Independence Payment (PIP), or Severe Disablement Allowance (we would also accept a letter from your GP) are entitled to have a carer accompany them to Blackwell Meadows free of charge. Darlington FC reserves the right to request proof of eligibility at the point of entry.
HOSPITALITY/BOARDROOM
There is a lift from the ground floor of the clubhouse up to the first floor where the hospitality suite and the Boardroom is situated.
MAIN BAR
The main bar is on the ground floor of the clubhouse and is fully accessible for wheelchair users.
TOILET ACCESS
There are disabled toilets within the external toilet blocks situated next to the ‘Tin Shed’ and the ‘Away’ turnstiles. These toilets have audio alarms if assistance is required. There is also a disabled toilet on the ground floor of the Clubhouse – ask a steward in the Clubhouse for directions.
BLIND SUPPORTERS
Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate guide dogs. However, we will grant free entry to a ‘Guide Person’ accompanying a supporter that is registered blind. If a blind supporter is in possession of ‘Bluetooth’ earphones and can locate themselves within ‘Bluetooth’ reach of Darlo Fans Radio (which is located in the stand), we would be happy to facilitate pairing-up with the broadcasting unit. This would avoid the delay that is experienced over the internet. Please speak a steward located in the seated stand if you would like to pair-up. Please note that not all brands of earphones are ‘Bluetooth’ compatible with the Darlo Fans Radio unit.
CONTACTING US IN ADVANCE OF A GAME
If you wish to notify us of any specific needs, or request additional information please leave a message at https://yourclub.darlingtonfc.co.uk/contact (select ‘Fans Services’).
Darlington Football Club is a part-time club staffed by volunteers. Many of which work and/or have other daytime commitments, so we are unable to receive telephone calls. If you feel that a telephone conversation would be of help, leave your details and someone will call you back.
