West Ham United are explaining why disabled supporters are being
charged for a season ticket this time around - and why adverse
publicity about the move is unfair.
Last season, a carer accompanying a disabled fan paid while the disabled supporter was admitted free.
For the new campaign, the situation has, on advice received, simply been reversed.
Gina Allen, the club's disabled area co-ordinator, explains:
"We had a meeting with the Premier League and the National Association of Disabled Supporters and, at their recommendation, it was decided the disabled fan should pay.
"We are acting upon their guidelines, though most of the carers have always split the cost with the disabled fan anyway.
"For those existing disabled season ticket holders that come alone, they will still get a free season ticket this year.
"Probably around half of Premiership clubs charge the disabled fan rather than the carer who comes with them, and from next summer they will all do this."
Last season, a carer accompanying a disabled fan paid while the disabled supporter was admitted free.
For the new campaign, the situation has, on advice received, simply been reversed.
Gina Allen, the club's disabled area co-ordinator, explains:
"We had a meeting with the Premier League and the National Association of Disabled Supporters and, at their recommendation, it was decided the disabled fan should pay.
"We are acting upon their guidelines, though most of the carers have always split the cost with the disabled fan anyway.
"For those existing disabled season ticket holders that come alone, they will still get a free season ticket this year.
"Probably around half of Premiership clubs charge the disabled fan rather than the carer who comes with them, and from next summer they will all do this."