SPFL/Christopher CouttsA visually impaired football fan has become the first to visit every stadium in the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) with his guide dog.
Dundee United supporter Jon Attenborough and guide dog Sam ticked off the last of the 42 stadiums in Scotland when he attended Forfar Athletic v Stranraer at Station Park on Saturday.
The 34-year-old accountant from Perth travelled hundreds of miles across the country to raise awareness of how accessible Scottish football is for people with visual impairments.
Jon, who has been visually impaired since birth, has no sight in his right eye and limited sight in his left eye.
SPFL/Christopher CouttsJon said: “I’m a big football fan and love Scottish football, so it’s amazing to have visited every single ground with Sam.
“It was such a special day completing it.
“It feels like a massive achievement being able to visit them all – I never thought I’d able to do it. It’s all down to Sam that it’s been made possible.
“I didn’t have the confidence to navigate big crowds on my own before Sam. He’s made a massive difference to my life.
“The aim of this was to raise awareness of how accessible Scottish football is for people with visual impairments, and I believe it’s been successful in doing so.”
He started the ‘Complete the 42’ challenge in February 2022 after watching Dundee United draw 0-0 at derby rivals Dundee.
Along with Sam, he travelled by public transport to two to three games each week across the SPFL’s four divisions.
He chose Station Park as the final destination as the town of Forfar is home to a Guide Dogs for the Blind training school.
He added: “I love everything about game day – the match day atmosphere and the crowd noises.
“A growing number of clubs in Scotland now have audio descriptive commentary, which really improves the experience.
“Sam loves it too. He’s usually doing one of two things. He’s either dead alert and watching the ball or he’s sound asleep and couldn’t care less.
“I’ve had such positive feedback from fans across the country about what I’ve been doing, so it’s been a really positive experience for me.”
STV NewsJon was presented with a special commemorative plaque by the SPFL at the weekend, with Sam also receiving a medal to wear.
Calum Beattie, the SPFL’s chief operating officer, said: “Everyone at the SPFL would like to pass on their congratulations to Jon and Sam for their successful tour of our 42 league grounds.
“We wanted to get them a little something by way of thanks for all Jon and Sam’s hard work, and we’re really pleased it has been so well received.
“It’s been great to hear Jon has such positive feedback of his experiences at our clubs and I’m sure that they’ll both be more than welcome at any of our games in future.”
Jon added: “Receiving these awards from the SPFL was a lovely added bonus and one that I’ll really treasure.”
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
