Virgin Media Donates Saints Shirt Sponsorship

Virgin Media, the official shirt sponsor of Southampton FC, is removing its logo from the club’s strip to support its charity partner, Scope, in order to get behind disabled football fans.

It forms part of the company’s partnership with the charity to help transform the lives of disabled people, with Saints wearing a special Scope-branded shirt for their home match against Manchester United on Wednesday 17th May. 

A survey revealed disabled football fans feel unwelcome in the terraces because of the reception they receive from some non-disabled fans. The findings show that nearly 40% of disabled supporters who go to matches say they have experienced negative attitudes from other fans and 29% said they had been victim of verbal abuse.

The poll has also found that football clubs could do more to improve the experiences disabled fans have at live games. Less than half of disabled fans (43%) said their club had staff who are well trained in disabled fans’ needs, while only 42% said their club had a zero-tolerance statement on abuse, for example, which may cover the use of negative language. More than a third (38%) of disabled fans who go to matches said a lack of appropriate facilities at other stadiums stop them from going to an away game.   

Scope’s chief executive, Mark Atkinson, said:  “This new research should serve as a wakeup call to all football clubs and fans. 

“Football is our national game and has the ability to bring people together.  We know that large numbers of fans want everyday equality and that means an inclusive game where discrimination of any kind isn’t tolerated. Disabled fans shouldn’t feel forced out of the stadium.

“It’s great to see football teams like Southampton FC highlighting the issue, with the support of Virgin Media who’ve donated their shirt sponsorship to Scope for this match.

“The rest of the football industry now needs to work together and kick disability discrimination out of the game.”

Brigitte Trafford of Virgin Media commented: “All football should be enjoyed by all fans, plain and simple.  Fans are the heart of football and that means disabled fans too. 

“It’s time for change. In football and society, disability discrimination can and should be a thing of the past.”

The shirt-swap is being backed by Paralympic gold medallist and avid football fan, Richard Whitehead MBE. Richard will help coach five Southampton supporters for a penalty shoot-out during half time at the match to raise up to £25,000 for Scope. Virgin Media will donate £5,000 to Scope for every goal scored.