Sunday, February 10, 2008

Josie lifts trophy for disabled fans

TOWN fan Josie Cichockyj got her hands on the FA Cup – and is now hoping the club can follow in her footsteps.

Josie, who is a member of Huddersfield Town Disabled Club, went to Wembley for the FA’s National Disability Equality Seminar.

It was held to discuss facilities for disabled supporters at grounds across the country.

She said: “The staff at Wembley brought the FA Cup down from the stand in the royal box, so I could rub some Town luck on the trophy. Come on the Town!”

The seminar was part of a major consultation exercise by the FA for the Level Playing Fields campaign, run by the National Association of Disabled Supporters (NADS).

Josie, who now lives in Stockport but is originally from Marsh and is a former Paralympian, said: “It’s based on the idea that disabled supporters should have exactly the same rights and facilities as able-bodied people.

“Some clubs have disabled supporters clubs and those that do generally tend to be better at dealing with disabled people.

“Town is one of the better ones, but some have been absolutely slated.”

She criticised Chelsea, who Town play next Saturday in the FA Cup fifth round.

“They will only be offering disabled Town supporters five wheelchair places, and they have already been taken,” she said.

“I’m absolutely gutted, because I didn’t get a ticket. Hopefully, we can get them back to the Galpharm and beat them there.”

Source: theexaminer.co.uk

No comments: