A Good News Story……
It is almost a year since the 2025 STFC AGM, when the club requested the formation of a supporter/member committee with two main objectives:
1. To provide the supporter base with a ‘voice’.
2. Improve the home match day experience.
The Supporter Liaison Committee was established and a questionnaire circulated to the supporter base, over 100 completed questionnaires were returned and among some excellent feedback there were two main themes:
1. Improve the quality, and availability, of match day refreshments in the ground.
2. Improve the toilet facilities in the ground.
It was recognised by the SLC that there was very limited opportunity to make any improvements during the regular season, so work focussed on preparatory work for the close season.
After, significant negative comments from the wider home supporter base, and away fans alike, the number one priority became the refurbishment of the existing toilet facilities, to increase capacity and reduce congestion, especially at half time on match days.
A number of options were considered to best utilise the limited space available – and the following changes resulted:
- Disabled spectators will now use the Hospitality facility toilets where there is a ramp for access.
- Existing Disabled toilet re-designated to the Male toilet. The installation of an additional urinal trough will increase the gent’s capacity to apx seven at any one time. (Note, to further ease congestion on match days the door will be fixed open and a PVC privacy screen used) Please note the toilet pan has the seat removed as its intended to be used as a urinal and is a suitable height for children to use
- Existing Male toilet re-designated to be Female, (urinals relocated in new male toilet) doubling the capacity.
- Existing female toilet will now be a gender free toilet for use by everyone. (note this has no urinal just a toilet pan)
During the early weeks of the close season work was progressed on the refurbishment and we are now pleased to inform everyone that all planned work is completed and we think the main objective reducing congestion has been achieved.
The Club and the SLC would like to extend a massive thank you to Mick Davis and Ken Hindmarsh for volunteering their time, commitment and skills to make the refurbishment possible.
Together with the club, the SLC is now working on a list of 29 projects and tasks to improve the matchday experience and services to supporters. Presently, many of these are best described as ideas and need to be developed into feasible projects, as happened with the toilet refurbishment project.
We have identified our next focussed priority – to install 1, or ideally 2, additional refreshment outlets in the ground which are likely to be located on the opposite side of the ground to the existing outlet, with the aim of improving availability and reducing congestion at periods of peak demand. This programme of improvements is very much a work in progress and won’t happen overnight, but it is ultimately designed to give all Stockton Town FC supporters and stakeholders a sustainable club of which we can all be proud of both on and off the pitch.
Please note also that this programme of improvements needs financial, physical and moral backing. We need your support to do this, if anyone can help with any aspect, providing materials or services or just a spot of labouring, or if anyone has any contacts that might be looking to contribute in return for sponsorship please dm us or talk to an SLC committee member.
Thanks
UTA
#itsyourclubhaveyoursay
