DISABLED Chester FC fans could soon enjoy a better matchday experience.
The Inclusive Blues group looks after the interests of Chester fans with disabilities, with the club priding itself on disability awareness since reforming two years ago.
One of the aims of the group is to help make disabled Blues fans feel fully inclusive by helping improve the facilities at the Exacta Stadium, with some fans in wheelchairs finding their views blocked by being placed close to the dugouts in front of the main stand.
There are also currently no commentary facilities available for blind and partially sighted fans.
A spokesman for the Inclusive Blues group said there are many frustrations for fans on matchdays, with the problems stemming back to when Chester City were still in existence.
“Blind people no longer have access to an audio commentary while wheelchair users find their view of the pitch blocked by the dugout roofs and managers and coaches standing in their technical areas,” said the spokesman.
“The Inclusive Blues are working with the directors of the club to resolve these issues and are in the process of raising the required finance to fund the work required to resolve them.”
The spokesman said the inclusive philosophy of Chester FC has been illustrated by people with disabilities being involved in behind the scenes work at the Exacta Stadium, while the group is looking at helping as many people as possible with disabilities to attend matches.
One of the founding directors of Chester FC was wheelchair user Richard Wightman, who died in January, 2011.
Last year the club received a grant from the Government’s Adult and Community Learning Fund was to form the group for Chester fans with disabilities. The ultimate goal was to provide the training and infrastructure required to enable those concerned to self govern.
Anyone interested in joining the Inclusive Blues group, receiving help getting to matches or interested in sponsoring the crucial ground improvements to enable disabled people to fully enjoy match days at Chester FC should email inclusiveblues@chesterfc.com
Season tickets are being snapped up
Chester FC fans are being praised for their continued loyalty as the club looks ahead to the new season.
Buoyed by successive promotions the Blues have sold more than 800 season tickets with more than a month to go before the start of new campaign, which gets under way on August 18 with a trip to Oxford City.
The club is hopeful the figure can break previous records and surpass more than 1,200 in time for the big kick-off in the Blue Square North.
“We have had a great response so far,” said chief executive Pat Cluskey.
“We are aiming for 1,200 or more to have been sold by the time the season kicks off which would be excellent.
“Last year we ended up selling just under that. We’d like to thank everyone who has bought a season ticket so far.”
Season tickets can be bught from the club office Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm.
For details visit www.chesterfc.com
l A sponsor’s night is being held when Chester host Southport in a pre-season friendly on Tuesday at the Exacta Stadium.
The evening will see include a two course meal, with current and potential sponsors invited to discover the opportunities available in supporting the club.
Tickets for this event are limited so anyone interested should email pat.cluskey@chesterfc.com as soon as possible.