All aboard
Disabled Saints fans can get to away games thanks to bus cash
Disabled supporters at St Mirren are celebrating a cash boost that has helped them make matches more accessible for everyone.
St Mirren have already been praised for having some of the best facilities for disabled supporters in Scottish football.
Now, thanks to those involved in the St Mirren Disabled Supporters Association, they will be able to travel to matches away from home.
The group, which was set up six years ago, has secured a grant from Centre for Access to Football in Europe ( CAFE) to provide a wheelchair accessible bus.
The national football charity works with clubs throughout the UK to support the improvement of accessible facilities at s tadiums.
Barrhead man John Clark, chairman and founding member of the St Mirren association, was delighted to be given the cash boost.
He said: “The wheelchair accessible bus will enable disabled supporters to easily travel to away matches and be able to enjoy the game with their friends and families.
“The money from CAFE will help pay for the hire of these buses, as well as help to pay the driver, so it is great that we were lucky enough to get it.
“CAFE has recognised all the work that has been done by St Mirren supporters.”
The 25-strong group campaigns to ensure disabled supporters are able to enjoy the match-day experience.
It has already helped secure a new disabled platform at the back of the main stand, in partnership with club.
The Paisley club was also the first in Scotland to embrace the Keep Safe Initiative, which protects disabled, elderly, special needs and physically-challenged supporters.
John, 69, who has cerebral palsy, hopes to continue their mission to make football accessible to all people with disabilities.
He added: “St Mirren is very far ahead of the curve when it comes to making football accessible for disabled supporters.
“We have facilities that are better than most of Scottish and English Premier League clubs.
“We have such great facilities, but we want to continue to support people out there with disabilities.
“In particular, those with invisible disabilities.
“We want people with mental health issues and autism to feel comfortable and happy to come along to St Mirren matches.
“We want to include as many people as we possibly can.”