Shrewsbury Town show up likes of Chelsea and Liverpool as they put disabled fans at heart of their club
Prem giants fail to provide adequate facilities while League One side goes above and beyond to make football more accessible
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PREMIER LEAGUE clubs have come under fire for failing to provide adequate facilities for disabled fans.
Sides including Chelsea, Liverpool and Watford are likely to miss an August deadline to meet basic levels of access, MPs have warned – and could face fines and point deductions.
But there are clubs going above and beyond to make football inclusive.
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Shrewsbury Town made it their priority to ensure disabled fans had an enjoyable matchday experience when they rebuilt their stadium 10 years ago, while players take part in activities to boost disability football in their local area.
The club have been praised by disabled fans and charity Level Playing Field for exceeding the minimum guidance for access at New Meadow.
Home and away fans have dedicated upper tier viewing areas serviced by lifts, in addition to front row access for wheelchair users and others with limited mobility.
Radio commentary sets are provided for the blind and partially sighted and sound reinforcement systems aid the hearing impaired. Parking, refreshment stands and the club shop are all designed for accessibility.
Shrewsbury chief executive Brian Caldwell says: “A lot of provision in football seems to be at the lower level so disabled people end up with a poor view. We have three disabled balconies at the highest vantage point and under cover.
“There’s nothing worse than seeing a disabled supporter sitting in the front row in the low level getting soaked because the wind’s blowing in a certain direction.”
Caldwell believes it is essential that improving the experience of disabled fans is made a priority – and says clubs can learn from sides like Shrewsbury.
He says: “Disabled supporters are very passionate just like any fan and it’s important that we don’t neglect their matchday experience and that we give them the best experience we can.
“We’re fortunate to have one of the newer stadiums and it was obviously thought about when it was built. Other clubs can learn – there’s always ways of improving the viewing if there’s capacity for it.
“People are always crying out for safe standing but I think disabled viewing areas are more important. It’s important that fans feel part of the whole matchday atmosphere.”
The Blues extend that emphasis on inclusion beyond New Meadow, with Shrewsbury running teams specific to a range of disabilities.
As part of the club’s recent Disability Awareness Week, keeper Jayson Leutwiler helped coach a cerebral palsy football session with local children.
The Swiss says: “I’ve been doing sessions with them for two-and-a-half years so I recognise them and know their names. It’s nice to see their smiles and see them growing. I think they all really enjoy training with us and I have a lot of fun.
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“It’s good to remember that we can make people happy and more confident with little things - just smiling and saying well done. It’s always a pleasure to go there.”
Leutwiler, 27, believes local disability programmes like this are vitally important in football – a sport that should be accessible to all.
He adds: “It’s important for kids - for any kids - to follow something and have a dream. It gives them an option to still follow their dream and play football - and the community work plays a big part in that.”
Shrewsbury also run teams for adults and children with Down’s syndrome, powerchair football teams and pan-disability sessions.
They have a full-time disability officer who runs sports sessions at special educational needs schools in Shropshire and a blind team from the Royal National College for the Blind, as well as weekly drop-in sessions for people suffering with mental health issues.
The club’s head of community, Jamie Edwards, says it makes a massive difference that players like Leutwiler maintain regular involvement.
He says: “We have done over 300 player appearances over the past year as a whole. It’s the same players who go to sessions. Jayson is our ambassador to our cerebral palsy team so he gets to know the children and they get to know him.
“It’s a lot better than sending a different player each time because they get a relationship with the player.”
The teams are run by charitable trust Shrewsbury Town in the Community, with most of the funding coming from the Wembley National Stadium Trust.
And for Edwards it is probably the most rewarding thing a football club can do.
He adds: “One of my passions is that anyone who comes into contact with the club, no matter of age, gender, ability, disability, gets the opportunity to represent Shrewsbury Town.
“Giving children and adults the opportunity to represent their hometown club is fantastic. It’s about giving people a fair chance.”