The photographs below explore the role of friendship and social connection in disabled fans’ matchday experiences. They described football as an important way of spending time with family, friends, carers and fellow supporters, by claiming that they are “meeting friends at the game”. At the same time, the images also reflect how poor or good accessibility can impact these social experiences. For instance, when disabled fans are separated from others due to seating arrangements or inaccessible areas of the ground, they can feel isolated. As it was highlighted during the discussions, having the possibility to choose where to sit and with whom is “so, so important”. This theme shows how the matchday experience is a social experience and, therefore, it is important that the matchday journey is inclusive and provides people with the choice of where to sit and with whom.
DARREN: MAKING MEMORIESWILLIAM: HAPPY SMILEY FACESJON: FRIENDS AT TANNADICEELAINE: NEW FRIENDSLEE: FRIENDSELLIS: GETTING TO GO AND WATCH A GAME TOGETHER IS SO, SO IMPORTANTCOLIN: FRIENDSHIP MADE BY FOOTBALLJASON: FRIENDS AND FAMILYSTEPHEN: THE PEOPLE THAT MAKE IT POSSIBLEROSS AND AARON: FRIENDSHIPSIMON: FRIENDSHIPLINZIE: MY 2ND HOMERAY: EVERYBODY NEEDS A GOOD FRIENDJON: FRIENDS AT FIR PARKBRIAN: PART OF MY JAMBOS FAMILYALISTAIR: FRIENDSHIPSHAUN: GOLF AT FOOTBALLSTEPHEN: AWAY DAYNIKKI: WELCOME AT HOME GAMESMANDY: FOOTBALL FRIENDS ARE MY FAMILYJOHN: FOOTBALL FRIENDSAMBER: WORKING TOGETHER TO WATCH TOGETHERNIKKI: SOCIAL INTERACTIONS WITH FANSSAMANTHA: FRIENDSHIP AND TEAMWORKDARREN: MAKING MEMORIESWILLIAM: HAPPY SMILEY FACESJON: FRIENDS AT TANNADICEELAINE: NEW FRIENDSLEE: FRIENDSELLIS: GETTING TO GO AND WATCH A GAME TOGETHER IS SO, SO IMPORTANTCOLIN: FRIENDSHIP MADE BY FOOTBALLJASON: FRIENDS AND FAMILYSTEPHEN: THE PEOPLE THAT MAKE IT POSSIBLEROSS AND AARON: FRIENDSHIPSIMON: FRIENDSHIPLINZIE: MY 2ND HOMERAY: EVERYBODY NEEDS A GOOD FRIENDJON: FRIENDS AT FIR PARKBRIAN: PART OF MY JAMBOS FAMILYSHAUN: GOLF AT FOOTBALLSHAUN: GOLF AT FOOTBALLSTEPHEN: AWAY DAYNIKKI: WELCOME AT HOME GAMESMANDY: FOOTBALL FRIENDS ARE MY FAMILYJOHN: FOOTBALL FRIENDSAMBER: WORKING TOGETHER TO WATCH TOGETHERNIKKI: SOCIAL INTERACTIONS WITH FANSSAMANTHA: FRIENDSHIP AND TEAMWORK