Saints legends enjoy biggest SDSA Annual Day with help from Fans for Diversity

Thursday 27 Aug 2015
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Over 400 people attended the Southampton Disability Supporters’ Association (SDSA) annual open day at St. Mary’s Stadium, as they received support from the Fans for Diversity fund.

The event, which was the fifth annual day SDSA has held, was a celebration of the club’s disabled supporters. The day saw a number of fun activities take place including a penalty-shoot out competition, a Fans for Diversity stall among others and a stadium tour.

Fans for Diversity helped with the promotion of the event to Saints supporters, with over 5000 flyers produced and handed out at Southampton matches.

A number of Saints stars, past and present, also attended the event to show their support towards the SDSA including former manager Laurie Mcmenemy, and playing icons Francis Benali and Matt Le Tissier.

England Under-21 international James Ward-Prowse also visited the event ahead of the Saints trip to FC Midtjylland in the Europa League, as he spoke to young fans in attendance.

With a record number of people attending the annual day, Paul Lucas, Secretary of SDSA, was delighted to receive the support from Fans for Diversity.

“It’s been a fantastic day, so much so we’ve had people queuing outside in the horrible weather just to come in – so I can only apologise to them!”

“It’s great to have the support of some the club legends like Matt, Laurie and particularly Francis, who is an ambassador of SDSA. He’s such a terrific guy and he does a lot of charity work.

“Without the help from the Fans for Diversity Fund, this event wouldn’t have been a big as success as it has been. We hope we can work closer with Fans for Diversity, The FSF and Kick It Out following on from today.”

Anwar Uddin, lead on the Fans for Diversity campaign, enjoyed his day on the south coast raising awareness of SDSA.

“The SDSA open day has been thoroughly enjoyable and it has been fantastic to meet so many Saints fans and talk to them about the work of the FSF and Kick It Out. To have had past and present Saints legends in attendance among club staff was great and it has been a privilege that the Fans for Diversity campaign has played a part in the event”

“It’s important that clubs show their support for fan initiatives and events like this help them engage with fans and organisations such as Kick It Out and The FSF.”

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