Fans’ praise for officials at away game
A family of Sunderland fans have praised football club bosses for helping with disabled access so that they could take in a recent Black Cats win.
Pensioners Val and Les Richardson, of Roker, were visiting son Paul in London when they decided to try to get tickets for the match at Gillingham last week.
Unfortunately, all disabled seating in the away end of the team’s Priestfield Stadium was sold out, but club officials allowed the couple, who are both 88, to attend the match in the home section of the ground alongside Paul and his twin David.
Paul now says he wants to pass on his thanks to Gillinghambossesfortheirhelpand supportingettinghimandhis family into the match.
“We asked about the disabled supporters’ section for Sunderland fans at the ground and were told it was sold out,” said David, 63.
“But the club said instead would we like to go in the main stand, so of course we said yes.
“It’s difficult for my mam and dad to get to games these days as she uses a walking stick and he has a wheelchair and it’s nice to see a lower league club be so accommodating to help fans of an opposing team. Theywerereallyhelpfuland couldn’t do enough for us.
“Apart from the fantastic result, how the staff at Gillingham treated us and their assistance, from the point of contact to getting my disa- bled parents into the ground and our allocated seats, was first class.
“They actually gave us additional front row seats to accommodate wheelchairs in the main stand as although we wished to be with Sunderland supporters, the staff thoughtmyparentswouldbe more comfortable in the covered stand.
“If all clubs are as welcoming as Gillingham then I hope our family may yet get to another away match in this division before the Lads hopefully gain automatic promotion.”