Stevenage FC is pleased to support the 2017 Level Playing Field (LPF) Weeks of Action.
This annual initiative, now in its twelfth year, aims to celebrate access and inclusion for disabled sports fans across England and Wales.
Disabled people constitute the largest minority group at around 15% of the population and this number is increasing year on year.
Naturally, a large number of disabled people are football fans and we are pleased to take this opportunity to thank our own disabled fans for their continued loyalty and dedication to Stevenage FC.
One such fan is 28 year old Daniel Bowles who suffers from Cerebral Palsy.
Daniel has been a Stevenage fan for 14 years and a Season Ticket Holder for the past seven seasons and comes to every game with his father, Pete.
We spoke to Pete about his and Daniel’s experience at the club and the #GameChangers that make a big difference to his matchday experience.
“I can’t fault the club. They have always been very good to us and have made us feel very welcome.
“We spoke to Lindsay Powell, (Head of Ticketing Operations & PA to the Chairman) about four years ago and she has always been available to help us and make sure we have a parking space in an accessible area.
“The stewards are brilliant. They are all very friendly and Daniel knows them all well, especially Jane Day, (North Terrace Steward) who he absolutely loves.
“Danny has known Jane for about five years and she has always welcomed him and made him feel comfortable. She always tries to get him his favourite position on the end with all the boys, as the other stewards do.
“Everybody in the North Stand knows him – he makes enough noise when he cheers!”
As part of their vision for anyone from the local community to reach their potential, our partner charity, Stevenage FC Foundation, also does good work in delivering a weekly PAN Disability Football Session at North Herts College.
They are also involved in the Hertfordshire Inclusive Football League where participants have been able to represent Stevenage FC in a competitive environment. More activity is due to be launched next month so stay tuned to www.stevenagefcfoundation.com for more information.
Stevenage Football Club will never rest on its laurels to ensure that we continue to improve our standards in promoting accessibility and tackling all forms of discrimination.
For more information about Level Playing Field (LPF) and this year’s Weeks of Action, please visit www.levelplayingfield.org.uk, email info@levelplayingfield.org.uk or call 0208 621 2403.
Alternatively you may wish to send a message of support to @lpftweets on Twitter using the hashtag #GameChangers.