In honour of Level Playing Field's ‘Weeks of Action’, we invited four PNE supporters with a disability to enjoy a day of work experience during a matchday at Deepdale!
The annual initiative, now in its 19th year aims to put the spotlight on access for disabled supporters at football clubs with a particular emphasis on accessibility on a matchday, so what better way to celebrate than asking a handful of supporters to join the team behind the team for a day during the home game against Bristol City earlier this month.
Jake G
18-year-old Jake produced some sterling work as an apprentice groundsman for the day. Jake helped the team prepare the pitch at Deepdale by putting the goals up and painting the pitch markings in the build up to North End’s clash against the Robins.
Safaa
Nine-year-old Safaa took part in a number of roles as part of PNE’s matchday team. Safaa stewarded the tunnel, ensuring nobody entered without a pass before going up to work the cameras in the control room. Safaa even gave Deepdale Duck a hand during his trip around the stadium. Safaa, who has Opsoclonus Myoclonus syndrome, a rare neuorological disorder was even given her own personalised PNE steward jacket as a member of staff of PNE for the day.
Jake F
PNE fanatic Jake formed part of the ticket office team at Deepdale on the day for supporters purchasing and collecting their tickets on the day. With several fans also securing their tickets for the Blackburn Rovers clash, Jake was certainly kept busy!
Sam
After being told of Sam’s love of stats, we put this to the test by inviting him up to the press box for the game and setting him the task of conducting a number of in game statistics! Sam counted how many corners, goal kicks and throw ins there were during the 90 minutes before assessing that Ben Davies was his chosen man of the match.