Football is a huge part of Jon Attenborough’s life.
He fell in love with the game as a child after being introduced to Dundee United by his dad and brother.
But Jon’s experience of matchday is very different from most people inside the stadium.
He was born with two rare eye conditions and his sight gradually deteriorated over time.
“It was around 2015 that I had to start using a mobility aid,” Jon told Scotland Tonight.
“First of all, I started using my long cane before I got matched with my first guide dog and that kind of changed the whole football experience for me, because then you have to think about accessible entrances, accessible seating and things like that.”
Jon was matched with his guide dog, Sam, seven years ago, which meant he could continue attending games across Scotland.
Together, they’ve visited all 42 SPFL grounds in a bid to raise awareness of the importance of accessibility.
“It was quite an ambitious challenge but I thought it would be good to see it at all the different levels,” said Jon.
“Wherever Sam and I have been, even to the most remote places up in Peterhead and down in Stranraer, we were made to feel so welcome.”
“The access facilities have come on leaps and bounds within the last just five years, even since Covid, and it actually enhances the matchday experience.
“You know, things like the audio descriptive commentary for visually impaired supporters and things like that. It just makes such a difference to the matchday experience.
“It’s something I look forward to every weekend, you know, I just really enjoy the feeling of coming to live games, being amongst all the supporters and just being able to enjoy the live football match the same way as everybody else in the stadium does.”
SAM GOPRO https://x.com/JonAttenborough/status/1865480810259771541/video/1
Shortly after speaking to Scotland Tonight, Sam unexpectedly passed away.
Jon posted on social media that he was “truly devastated and heartbroken beyond words” to lose his best friend.
He said: “There are no words to describe the pain I feel inside. Rest easy my friend.”
Survey finds supporters think more needs to be done
Disabled football fans say access to matches needs to be improved to keep the game open to all.
A Scotland-wide survey of disabled supporters found the majority struggle with accessible parking and also find shelter at grounds to be often inadequate.
But the survey also found supporters find facilities are improving and clubs were roundly praised for what they’re doing to support fans.
The work was led by Stephen Reside, a lifelong Motherwell supporter who has cerebral palsy.
STV NewsStephen said: “My first Motherwell game was when I was four years old and I’ve been coming back ever since.
“I think you just you get the bug for football right away. For 90 minutes, you could come here and just escape whatever was going on in your life, so Fir Park’s always been a place I can just come and have freedom in my head for 90 minutes.
Stephen volunteers with the Scottish Football Supporters’ Association, which aims to amplify fans’ voices.
“I think it’s getting better, but I still think there’s a way to go,” he said.
“This is our national game. It’s embedded in our psyche. But if we can actually have some influence in these areas I think that’s a good thing and it’s a reason for existence.
“What I would look for is elevated views everywhere. Unfortunately, we don’t have one here at Motherwell because the stadium’s quite old.
“So when you’re asking for these things, I think you need to factor in what the club have available to them. It’s about having these conversations and it’s about making sure that we can implement progress bit by bit.”
STV NewsMost clubs in Scotland have a designated disability access or liaison officer.
But making major changes, like upgrading stadiums to improve wheelchair access, can prove challenging.
Fran Smith, the CEO of St Johnstone Football Club, told Scotland Tonight: “We’ve got a disability liaison officer who’s full time, unlike some other clubs, and Bev (Beverley Mayer) does a wonderful job to make sure our disabled supporters have accessible access right throughout the building.
“Unfortunately, McDiarmid Park was built in 1989 so we don’t have lift access yet so that’s priority number one for us and the new regime is to put a lift in over the next three months.”
The Scottish Government said “clubs already have to meet SFA licensing requirements on accessibility” but wants to see further improvements being made.
A spokesperson said: “We will continue to work with authorities, clubs, supporters, and staff, to ensure all supporters can have the safest and most enjoyable matchday experience.”
In the meantime, fans like Stephen and Jon are determined to show that accessibility will benefit everyone.
Stephen said: “Looking at the way society is now, i’s all about inclusion, it’s all about making sure that everyone has the same opportunities and football shouldn’t be any different, football should be exactly the same. I do believe that we’re getting there. But now in this role, that’s what I want to do.
Jon added: “As everybody gets older, you develop some sort of access need, whether it be mobility, sight, hearing.
“Sadly, it happens to all of us as we get older, so even supporters who don’t need these facilities, they might just not need them yet.
“So it’s good to have these in place for when people need it.”
Watch the full report on Scotland Tonight at 8.30pm on Thursday night or catch up on the STV Player.
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