Football clubs 'turning away supporters' - blind fan

A blind football fan is calling on more clubs, especially in the lower leagues, to improve inclusivity at stadiums.

Charlie Beeston, 20, said facilities at his own club, Lincoln City, were very good, but away games could be much more difficult.

Mr Beeston, who has been registered as blind since birth, said those club that fail to offer audio commentary were effectively "turning away supporters".

According to the Royal National Institute of Blind People, many blind or partially-sighted people find football grounds inaccessible.

Mr Beeston, from Lincoln, has been a season ticket holder at Lincoln City since he was aged seven.

Discussing the challenges he faces at games, he said: "Not being able to know your surroundings, people bumping into you.. that sort of thing, I can become disorientated very quickly."

Mr Beeston has only missed two matches - home and away - over the past two seasons.

He said it was especially difficult finding where to sit at away games.

"When I'm at an away end and you have to sit in your designated seat, it can be really difficult knowing exactly which seat that is because of small seat numbers," said Mr Beeston.

"Travelling to and from games, public transport can be an absolute nightmare, and then obviously it's the actual seeing of the game which I just can't. So that in itself is a massive obstacle."

However, Mr Beeston conceded that he had encountered "many people willing to help".

He has worked with Lincoln City to set up the Disabled Supporters Association, which helps officials find solutions to challenges facing disabled fans.

As a result of Mr Beeston's work, the club has introduced Audio Descriptive Commentary (ADC) at matches.

Tom Kelsey, 27, an ADC commentator at every Lincoln City home game.

Mr Kelsey said: "Audio Descriptive Commentary is really in-depth commentary, talking about the position of the ball all the time. So fans in the stadium who can't quite see what's going on can keep up to date with the game as much as everyone else."

Mr Beeston said ADC was "invaluable" and thanked Mr Kelsey and the other volunteers.

"It makes it unbelievably difficult when I travel to away grounds that don't have it because it takes away from my match day experience," he said.

"It'll be the same for home fans. They're turning away supporters. It's daft that they don't have it."

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