Wrexham AFCWrexham’s home matches over their promotion-winning season provided plenty of ‘I was there’ moments for supporters and the club’s efforts on accessibility helped disabled fans share in the collective euphoria.
The contributions from Wrexham Disabled Supporters’ Association (DSA) have also made getting to matches possible for other disabled fans for over a decade, thanks to their car park volunteers.
In volunteers’ week, Level Playing Field decided to celebrate the contributions made by DSAs at so many clubs, by looking at the impact being made by those who operate blue badge parking at the Racecourse Ground.
The 2022/23 campaign saw them provide an average of 60 blue badge spaces at the Wrexham Glyndwr University campus car park, which has increased from an initial 10 when the scheme was first introduced.
DSA member Andy Pierce said: “It can be stressful and hard work, but the positives outweigh the negatives. It can be such a rewarding thing to do.
“One thing I would say to other volunteers, is never underestimate the contribution you are making.
“Time is one of the most precious things you’ve got. Anyone that’s giving up their time to ensure that somebody else has a better matchday experience, you have made a difference.”
“I was speaking to someone the other week, who was explaining that those spaces were giving him more years going to matches with his father than he thought possible.”
Andy Pierce and other volunteers will prepare the spaces on a Friday evening ahead of a Saturday fixture and then return two hours ahead of kick-off.
Fellow DSA member Sharon Thomas, who has started volunteering on the car park recently, added: “It is great to meet some of those supporters, who really do appreciate it.
“It’s not all older people. There are some young mums with disabled children, and they need those spaces too, to go to the match and be a part of it.
“I was there for one of the last games of the season and someone brought a box of beers for the regular volunteers, saying ‘we wouldn’t be able to come if it wasn’t for you guys,’ and it’s letting people come with their family and friends as well.”
Wrexham DSA’s contributions go beyond their blue badge car parking operation, with Andy Pierce recently attending the stadium alongside DSA Chair Steve Gilbert, as they made a donation towards new braille signage.
Level Playing Field fans liaison officer Liam Bird said: “The work being done by Wrexham DSA for such a long period of time now, encapsulates the sense of community which surrounds football at its best.
“They are helping fans attend live football and as we have heard, giving families the gift of watching games together. This season, that will have created cherished memories for so many.
“This is one of so many DSAs giving up their precious time, and we want to share our thanks for their relentless efforts to improve the experiences of their fellow supporters.”
Wrexham DSA are hoping to put together a rota system for their car park volunteers and if you would be interested in assisting, or want to find out more, please email: wxmdsa@gmail.com
You can find out more about disabled supporters associations here.