A LOCAL man is determined to make the voices of disabled football fans heard across the country.

Liam O'Connor is treasurer of the newly formed National Association of Disabled Football Supporters and vice-chairman and head of fund-raising of the Bolton Wanderers' Disabled Supporters Association.

He would like to see football clubs follow the lead of the Wanderers in taking care of its disabled supporters.

He is urging all disabled football supporters to attend a meeting of the national association on Thursday, April 2, at Blackburn Rovers' International Suite, starting at 1pm, in an effort to make grounds more "disabled friendly".

The association has backing from Wimbledon star Robbie Earle who will be there to promote the event. He has pledged his support for the association and understands the needs of disabled people, explained Liam, because he has a disabled brother.

Liam paid particular tribute to Bolton Wanderers' chief executive Des McBain for his continuing support for disabled supporters and Reebok Stadium chief executive Paul Fletcher.

"We have always received great support from Bolton Wanderers and are very grateful for that."

He said every consideration was given to both the home and away disabled supporters, something not seen at every ground in this country.

Liam, who has to use a wheelchair following an operation that went badly wrong, hopes the national association, set up last year, can help to change things for disabled people.

The Reebok stadium is, said Liam, a shining example. The facilities for the disabled are "excellent" and include facilities for blind people to enjoy matches.

Disabled people have been welcomed to the club and given every opportunity to voice concerns or views, he explained.

The national association has a long list of aims and objectives including promoting the needs of disabled football supporters, encouraging clubs to provide more and better facilities and encouraging all disabled fans of every club to form associations.

The association also feels a need to look at information and facilities for the disabled supporter travelling abroad.

Worsley firm Concept Cycles has pledged its support to Liam and both the Bolton Wanderers' and National Disabled Supporters Associations.

The firm donated a bicycle to be used as a fund-raising prize and graphic designer Steve Whittaker has designed a logo for the national association, with support and cash help from managing director Steven Walsh.

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