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Saints Disabled Supporters Association

Most Saints fans will be unaware that the there is an association for disabled supporters in existence, here we tell you a little about them and what they do

The Saints Disabled Supporters Association (SDSA) were formally set up in 2010 their aim being to make St Marys the best ground in the Premiership for disabled fans, ensuring they have a safe and enjoyable matchday experience.

They are independent from SFC but have formed strong links with them. They hold regular monthly committee meetings and usually have at least one representative from SFC in attendance. If they have issues to raise regarding ticketing then a representative from the Ticket Office will attend, a problem with facilities then a representative from Operations will attend and so on. The Club now see them as an important part of their decision making process, gaining gaining recommendations and thoughts early in the discussions and not after changes have been made and when it is too late.

But their work doesn' stop there, they hold an Open Day once a year at the Dell Cafe where they invite local disability groups, members, fans & ex players to attend, a chance to find out more about the work they do not to mention a fantastic Draw with some amazing prices. This year they were lucky enough to have Matt Le Tissier, Lawrie McMenemy, Mark Dennis, Jim Steele, Dave Merrington, Sam Gallagher, Nick Holmes (our Ambassador) all in attendance. They were all incredibly generous with their time and Matt was even playing footie with the kids in the car park :)

As a result of the Open Day and other fund raising activities including taking part in the Totton Carnival, they were able to purchase a Season Ticket which we are awarding on a match by match basis to a disabled fan and their enabler free of charge. These fans are not Season Ticket holders and would normally not be able to attend St Marys whether it be for financial or mobility reasons. Applications / nominations can be made via their official website

As the Club have announced they are selling half season ticketsthe SDSAe will be making an announcement very shortly that they have purchased one of those too :)

The SDSA are also looking into sponsoring a disabled athlete / football player hoping to get to Rio in 2016.

Members also have the SDS's Aour own specially produced card called the Emergency Medical Card. It is basically a card you keep in your wallet for a first responder to use if you are taken ill at a football ground (or anywhere to be honest). It has your basic details including disability, allergies etc. These are available free of charge for anyone.

The SDSA have made great progress since their formation albeit slow, with the club to have Radar Keys fitted to all disabled toilets.

They also brought up a problem that disabled fans in wheelchairs were not able to buy a ticket easily at the ticket office because the counters were so high. As a result the club redesigned one of the windows to incorporate a lowered counter which the SDSA felt was quite an achievement.

Any problem, issue, concern anyone has they can raise with the SDSA and they will do their best to help. They also encourage disabled away supporters for feedback on their matchday experience at other grounds and again if there are any problems they will make contact with the relevant people to try and resolve matters.

They already have had fantastic support from many local organisations and companies, also the Saints Foundation who have donated signed shirts, balls, photos.

From helping fill in a season ticket application form to ground improvements, whether a problem is big or small, the SDSA are here as a voice for disabled fans, their carers, friends and families., It is free to become a member and details can be found on our website

Contact can be made via their official website below and as you will see the Club have evenallowed them to adapt the club crest for the association's logo

Saints Disabled Supporters Association

They are on Facebook http://www.saintsdsa.org.uk/facebook and are also on Twitter http://twitter.com/saintsdsa

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