As a wheelchair using football supporter I am proud to be accepted by my fellow supporters without being on the receiving end of any form of prejudice.
Having supported Aston Villa since 2010 I’ve lost count of how many trips I have made to Villa Park in Birmingham especially by rail over the years.
My proudest moment in recent years has to be ensuring that our clubs disabled supporters wishing to travel by rail to matches can do so with ease.
Those reading this will certainly know by that the publicly funded rail operator, West Midlands Railway installed accessibility tools at stations they manage around Villa Park in 2024.
Blue and white boxes which feature a white wheelchair logo and the words “ for mobility assistance, please wait here” can be found on the platforms at Aston and Witton Lane railway stations.
There is also signage mirroring the same messaging positioned directly behind where the spaces are located or near to them on the platforms.
Passengers, event station staff and train crew are able to see the spaces from either end of the platforms, this ensures that our community are not forgotten about when waiting to board trains home after matches or events at the home of Aston Villa football club.
All supporters now have the opportunity to travel by rail with ease, especially if they are from a minority group like the LGBT + community and have of course a disability.
The Barclays Premier League recently launched an initiative called “ Premier League with Pride” which replaces the rainbow laces campaign something the league has supported since 2014.
However, I see this initiative as an opportunity to celebrate this community and remember that there maybe supporters with disabilities who also identify as being from the LGBT+ community.
Supporters reading this post, maybe thinking oh here we go again it’s all about the minority groups, however this is about us also remembering that these groups can work together and serve all supporters.
Premier League with pride should be about honouring all those who sit alongside the LGBT+ community,
I am a passionate ally of this community and that stems from my time as the youth panel chair at football versus homophobia.
This is a community that I will continue to be an ally of for the rest of my life after leading the FVH youth panel.
Do you enjoy reading my posts as soon as they have been published?, If so then why not subscribe (if you haven’t already) and receive future ones direct to your inbox within just a few short minutes of publication.
Subscribe: https://just-being-cp.co.uk/
Thank you to all the Aston Villa supporters who have supported my work in recent years to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to attend matches at Villa Park by rail if they wish to do so.
A thank you must go to each and everyone of you, my loyal readers and social media followers who continually take the time out of your busy schedules to read my latest posts it is not unnoticed and is very much appreciated.
Up the Villa
Cam
Leave a Reply