'BEST VIEW IN SCOTTISH FOOTBALL' ACCESSIBLE TO ALL WITH NEW GEORGE FOX LIFT

Dundee United are making matchdays even more accessible after installing a new lift and creating three new wheelchair spaces in the George Fox Upper tier.

Wheelchair users and supporters with mobility issues can gain access to the best view in Tannadice, from the heart of the action from the George Fox Upper.

The project has been made possible thanks to significant part-funding from Dundee United Supporters' Foundation and the Scottish Football Partnership and will revolutionise the matchday experience for our fans.

The Caltech lift will be operational for Saturday’s cinch Premiership game with St Johnstone, with a pre-booking system in place for all supporters with mobility issues and wheelchair users. 

It will also be available for hospitality guests in the Airlie Green who require additional assistance.

Dundee United Chief Executive Luigi Capuano: Football should be accessible to all

Dundee United Chief Executive Luigi Capuano said: "I’m delighted to get this project off the ground and hugely grateful to all our partners for the contribution they have made towards it - both in terms of expertise and finance.

"We want to offer all our supporters the best matchday experience possible and no barriers should get in the way of that happening.

"Football should be accessible to all and we have worked with our fans, including Dundee United Disability Group, to make this happen at Tannadice. 

"After installing the new lift, we removed seven seats to create a dedicated viewing platform that will give wheelchair users an amazing view of the pitch.”

Dundee United Disability Access Officer Moira Hughes said: "From a hospitality perspective, our supporters can come along with their friends and family and not feel excluded.

"It also offers an additional three wheelchair spaces, particularly useful for Category A games where we are currently at capacity for wheelchair spaces. 

"This will open up the game to more people and I’m delighted that we are able to do that for our supporters."

'The best view in Scottish football'

Alan Mills, former chair of the DUFC Disability group, added: "This will make a huge difference to me at games. I used to be a season ticket holder at the George Fox Upper for years, alongside my son and daughter.

"But I’ve had to be in the lower tier for the last ten years so it will be great to be able to go to the match again with them and get a great view.

"I’ve always said that you get the best view in Scottish football from that stand and now I’ll be able to experience it again. 

"Well done to Dundee United, Dundee United Supporters Foundation (DUSF) and all other partners for their work on this. I can’t wait for Saturday."

The work was made possible by part-funding from DUSF and Scottish Football Partnership grant funding.

Stuart McCaffrey, Chief Operating Officer for the Scottish Football Partnership, said: "The SFP has been investing in club stadia infrastructure for around 20 years. 

"Typically our investments assist clubs with facility-related improvements linked to the National Club Licensing framework. 

"We were keen to assist Dundee United F.C. with making Tannadice more accessible for spectators with a disability or mobility issues and to help enhance their matchday experience with a project which I’m sure will be hugely beneficial to the supporters.”

Martin Manzi, of DUSF, said: "We are delighted to see this project take off. We raised funding at a dinner in 2018 to celebrate the anniversary of winning the Scottish Cup in 1994.

"It was decided that this funding would go to improve facilities for fans with disabilities.

"We are delighted to make a contribution towards a new lift that will benefit fans with mobility issues.”

Hospitality guests who require assistance, supporters with mobility issues and pre-booked wheelchair users will be given access to the lift by a steward.

Anyone interested in more information or who would like to be added to the list please contact Dundee United Disability Access Officer Moira Hughes one week in advance of the game that they wish to attend on moira.hughes@dundeeunitedfc.co.uk