Exclusive Chelsea finally pledge to boost facilities for disabled supporters

Manchester United supporter Martin Emery

When our story was first featured in The Daily Telegraph back in 2015, I would never have imagined so much would change. Our family can all watch football at Manchester United together now and that was simply not possible then.

We had received an email suggesting we go to Rochdale, Stockport or Oldham rather than Old Trafford if we wanted our disabled son, Jordan, to be with his brothers Ethan and Zac and myself. This was due to restricted space for disabled people and their carers.

When I complained and raised the issue so publicly, some people warned me that I would never get a ticket again. I did not honestly think the situation would change but, from seeming disinterested, they did act. They introduced a Family treat: Martin Emery with his sons Jordan (centre), Zac and Ethan family area at Old Trafford and, although the extra wheelchair spaces are long overdue, they are also now coming. The first match we all went to together as a family was the best game I have been to. Ethan and Zac, had been counting the sleeps before we went.

The whole question of disabled access is on the agenda and finally being taken seriously, not just in

the Premier League but throughout the Football League now. It was a bit surreal to see the issue become so prominent in the media and then even discussed in Parliament.

Chelsea are the last of the big clubs to make a commitment to

meet the guidelines and, whatever the reasons behind it, what counts is that it is happening.

We just wanted to be able to go to football together as a family. I wanted Jordan in the pictures and part of the memories of the games.