On volunteers’ week, Level Playing Field’s Head of Fan Engagement & Supporter Services, Liam Bird, has taken the opportunity to praise the efforts of disabled supporters’ associations throughout the 2024/25 season.
Disabled supporters’ associations (DSAs) operate across more than 60 clubs and are all run by volunteers.
While DSAs can have significantly different sizes, aims and structures, they all look to have a unifying voice for disabled fans.
Key actions during the past season included AFC Bournemouth DSA discussions with the council leading to the installation of new dropped kerbs, Grimsby Town DSA collaborating with the club on the launch of a sensory room, and Everton DSA assisting with disabled fans’ transition to a new stadium.
The importance of acting as a critical friend to clubs, with openness and communication, was also shown, as Bristol Rovers DSA advised on cup ticketing processes and West Ham United DSA appealed for a reverse on changes to ticket prices.
Bird said: “The work of disabled supporters’ associations is essential, and I think the scale of their achievements can sometimes make people forget they are entirely run by volunteers.
“The effort put in by so many members is admirable and while they face many challenges, the enthusiasm I see when speaking to committees never fails to impress me.
“This season, we have seen some really important action taken, across such a varied range of areas.
“On a local level, DSAs are making meaningful improvements to the matchday experiences of their fellow disabled fans, each year, but the impact does not stop there.
“I am hugely thankful for the way in which DSAs are able to help us drive change nationally and excited by the prospect of what we can all achieve next season.”
New DSAs have also emerged, with relaunches for Chelsea DSA taking place at men’s and women’s games, before Spireites DSA, Stoke City DSA and Fleetwood Town DSA were also formed.
Advocacy from more established DSAs continued to be vital at the very end of the season, with Manchester United DSA and SpursAbility raising concerns regarding UEFA Europa League Final allocations.
Bringing supporters together is another vial role of DSAs and the strength of this can be seen through Hull City DSA and Swans DSA coffee mornings, which repeatedly unite large numbers of disabled fans with prominent figures from the clubs and beyond.
In addition to all of this positive work, there was so much more undertaken by other DSAs, at clubs across the leagues.
You can learn more about disabled supporters’ associations here, or email Liam directly: liam@levelplayingfield.org.uk