At Brentford, we believe it's important to ensure all of our fans are included in the game we love so much.

From 1 March to 16 March, clubs across the country will be marking Level Playing Field’s Unite for Access campaign, an annual period of inspiration and celebration of good access and inclusion at sports venues.

Fans with disabilities often face different barriers and challenges that can impact their experience of visiting stadiums. Ensuring those supporters have the provisions and support in place is crucial.

Ahead of Saturday's Premier League game against Aston Villa, the club spoke to two of its visually impaired supporters, Amy Kavanagh and Chris Lewis, about their matchday experience at Gtech Community stadium.

Amy has a little residual vision and is able to see light and colour. As a member of the club, she often sits in the south stand.

She first started going to Brentford matches when her friend invited her along.

“I have only become a proper fan in the last few years," said Amy. "And it's because a friend, who is season ticket holder, said to me, ‘Oh, you should come to a game’.

"And I said, ‘Don't be ridiculous, I'm blind. Why a football match, what's the point?’ And then she said, ‘They've got this amazing commentary system, so that it's like the radio, you will know everything that's happening'.

"We came to a friendly and I've been hooked ever since."

Chris has a had a longer-term love for football. He is partially sighted and used to play semi-professionally.

“I have been a football fan all my life and played semi-pro in the 1950s," he said.

"I moved to Chiswick in 1984. About five or so years ago, I started coming to the Gtech.

"I did actually play at Griffin Park 11 or 12 years ago because I played football when I was partially-sighted.”

Painting a picture

Visually impaired fans like Amy and Chris are reliant on the club's Audio Descriptive Commentary service, which is broadcasted live from the Gtech.

Lifelong Brentford fan Mark Burridge delivers the service alongside a guest co-commentator.

Initially a volunteer, Mark became the club's official lead commentator back in 2017.

For fans who require Audio Descriptive Commentary, Mark acts as their eyes and ears.

“I wouldn’t be able to come without commentary," Amy continues.

"I would just be sitting there listening to people cheering, which would be a bit pointless really, and I would not really know what's happening.

“I love the extra detail I get. My other half sits next to me, he's often laughing at me because I'm nodding or smiling or having a little chuckle because I've got this voice in my ear making me laugh and telling me all this extra information, and then he starts nudging me.

"So now I tell him all the extra little facts and information.”

Chris adds: “[Mark] is painting a picture, we can't see what's visibly happening on the pitch but can hear it. You're soaking up the atmosphere, and I sit in the west stand, and you can hear the louder fans singing.”

‘You are welcome here’

Brentford recently upgraded the club’s audio equipment to ensure fans requiring commentary can use the latest technology.

Ensuring fans with disabilities have the adequate services they need to enjoy matches is integral to their experience.

Speaking on the change, Chris said: “The reliability [of the system] is so important, because it’s part of the game, and when it’s not there, you feel a bit of a wreck.”

Amy adds: “It sends such a powerful message of inclusion. And I have genuinely told friends that I think I've become a football fan because it's accessible.

“As a blind person, you so often hear the word ‘no’ or ‘that's too difficult’ and you can end up feeling quite excluded from life.

"To come into a space where not only is the answer ‘yes’, but they’ve gone the extra mile to make it the top standard, it sends such a clear message not just to me as a blind person, but to the whole community, to all the other fans, to everyone who works here.

"It's like you're holding up a sign that says - ‘You are welcome here’."

If you are fan who requires support with your disability when you visit matches, contact the club's accessibility team at [email protected].