Full-Height Turnstiles for Stadiums: Gillingham FC Fan Zone
Managing access at a football ground presents a very different challenge to controlling entry at a typical commercial site. On matchdays, large numbers of supporters can arrive within a relatively short period, making it essential that entrance systems are designed with both security and footfall in mind.
When Gillingham FC needed to introduce controlled access to its fan zone, we were brought in to design a solution that worked within the club’s existing space while catering for busy matchday traffic, a common concern that we are very familiar with.
We installed twin UKT-42 full-height turnstiles for stadiums, specifically configured for the available entrance and powder-coated to complement Gillingham FC’s club colours. The entire installation was completed in just two working days around the club’s busy schedule.
Who Are Gillingham FC?
Gillingham FC are a professional football club based in Gillingham, Kent, competing in League Two.
Like many professional football grounds, the stadium needs to accommodate significant fluctuations in footfall. While the site operates throughout the week, matchdays bring a much greater concentration of supporters into the ground and its surrounding facilities.
One of those areas is the club’s fan zone – a dedicated space for supporters that required a more effective way of controlling access.
What Challenge Did Gillingham FC Face?
Before our involvement, there was no controlled access into the fan zone area.
The club therefore needed a physical entrance-control solution that could provide a defined point of entry while being suitable for the number of supporters using the area during busy matchdays.
However, introducing sports ground access control wasn’t simply a matter of positioning turnstiles at the entrance.
We had an existing space to work within, meaning the new system needed to be designed around the dimensions and layout already available on site. At the same time, it needed to cater for high footfall without compromising the practical operation of the fan zone.
There was also the appearance of the installation to consider. Rather than introducing equipment that looked disconnected from its surroundings, Gillingham FC wanted a solution that felt appropriate for the club and its existing branding.
What Were UK Turnstiles' Goals?
Our objective was to create a robust and practical controlled entrance for Gillingham FC’s fan zone.
The system needed to:
- Introduce controlled access where previously there was none.
- Fit within the existing space available on site.
- Cater for high levels of matchday footfall.
- Provide a durable solution appropriate for a football stadium environment.
- Complement Gillingham FC’s branding.
- Be installed around the club’s busy schedule with minimal disruption.
Project Breakdown
After assessing the requirements of the site, we installed UKT-42 Twin Full Height Turnstiles.
The twin configuration provided two controlled pedestrian entry points within one system, making it well suited to an environment where larger numbers of people may need to enter during concentrated periods.
Using a full height double turnstile also allowed us to create a clearly defined physical entrance into the fan zone, replacing the previously uncontrolled access.
As with any stadium project, specifying the right equipment was only one part of the job. The system also had to work with the space that was actually available.
Our team designed the installation around the existing site rather than expecting the club to adapt the area around a standard configuration. This allowed us to introduce effective full height pedestrian turnstiles while making practical use of the existing entrance.
Designed for a Football Stadium Environment
Football grounds have very specific entrance-control requirements.
Matchday traffic can create short periods of particularly high demand, so equipment needs to be suitable for repeated use while giving the venue greater control over pedestrian access.
The UKT-42 was selected to provide a robust physical entrance appropriate for this environment. These full height security turnstiles create individual controlled passage through the entrance and provide a substantial physical boundary around the access point.
For Gillingham FC, this meant the fan zone could move from an uncontrolled entrance to a dedicated system designed around the way the area is used.
The project is also a good example of how football stadium turnstiles can be designed around an individual venue rather than approached as a one-size-fits-all installation.
Powder-Coated to Match Gillingham FC's Club Colours
Functionality was important, but so was the appearance of the finished installation.
Rather than supplying the UKT-42s in a standard finish, the turnstiles were powder-coated to complement Gillingham FC’s company branding colours.
This helped integrate the new entrance into its surroundings and made the turnstiles feel like a considered part of the club’s fan zone rather than equipment that had simply been added afterwards.
For customer-facing environments such as football grounds, these details can make a significant difference to the finished result.
Installed Around Gillingham FC's Busy Schedule
Working at an operational football club means installation has to be planned around what is happening both on and off the pitch.
We coordinated our work around Gillingham FC’s busy schedule and completed the installation within just two working days on site.
Careful planning meant our team could install the twin UKT-42 system within the existing space and complete the work efficiently, reducing disruption to the club’s normal activities.
For venues requiring event access control, this ability to plan work around existing operations is particularly important. Entrance-control upgrades need to improve how a site operates without unnecessarily interfering with events or day-to-day use.
Products used for this project:
- UKT-42 Twin Full Height Turnstiles
- Bespoke powder-coated finish to complement Gillingham FC's branding
- Site-specific configuration designed around the existing entrance space
Results
Gillingham FC’s fan zone now has a dedicated controlled entrance where previously there was no physical access-control system.
The twin UKT-42 installation was designed specifically around the available space and the high levels of footfall the fan zone can experience on matchdays.
Powder-coating the units to complement the club’s colours also helped ensure the finished system suited its surroundings, combining the practical requirements of entrance control with a finish appropriate for a professional football club.
Most importantly, the entire project was completed in two working days and planned around Gillingham FC’s busy schedule.
The result is a purpose-designed entrance that gives the club greater control over access to its fan zone and is designed to accommodate the demands of busy matchdays.
Looking for Full-Height Turnstiles for a Stadium or Sports Ground?
Every stadium has different requirements. Available space, expected footfall, existing infrastructure and how supporters use the venue can all influence the right entrance-control solution.
At UK Turnstiles, we design and install entrance-control systems around the individual site, from full-height turnstiles for stadiums and sports grounds to bespoke configurations for specific entrances.
If you’re considering introducing or upgrading entrance control at a football ground, stadium or other high-footfall venue, contact our team to discuss your requirements.