A blind football fan is calling on more clubs – especially in the lower leagues – to improve inclusivity at stadiums.
Charlie Beeston told the BBC that facilities at his own club, Lincoln City, were very good, but away games could be much more difficult.
Charlie, who has been registered as blind since birth, said clubs that fail to offer audio commentary were effectively “turning away supporters.”
The Royal National Institute of Blind People told the BBC that many blind or partially sighted people find football grounds inaccessible.
The BBC said Charlie has been a season ticket holder at Lincoln City since he was seven. Now 20, he told the BBC about some of the challenges he has faced.
He said: “Not being able to know your surroundings, people bumping into you.. that sort of thing, I can become disorientated very quickly.
He added that he has only missed two matches home and away over the last two seasons and that away fixtures can be very difficult.
He said: “”Travelling to and from games, public transport can be an absolute nightmare, and then obviously it’s the actual seeing of the game which I just can’t. So that in itself is a massive obstacle.
“When I’m at an away end and you have to sit in your designated seat, it can be really difficult knowing exactly which seat that is because of small seat numbers.”
Charlie added that he has encountered many people willing to help and he has worked with Lincoln City to set up the Disabled Supporters Association. As a result of his work the club has now set up Audio Descriptive Commentary (ADC) at matches.
The BBC spoke to Tom Kelsey, who provides AF+DC at every Lincoln City home game.
He said: “Audio Descriptive Commentary is really in-depth commentary, talking about the position of the ball all the time. So fans in the stadium who can’t quite see what’s going on can keep up to date with the game as much as everyone else.”
Charlie added: “It makes it unbelievably difficult when I travel to away grounds that don’t have it because it takes away from my match day experience. It’ll be the same for home fans, They’re turning away supporters. It’s daft that they don’t have it.”
