Posted on 22nd August 2018
If anybody had told us that the FSA would end up in a Zoom meeting with the Prime Minister collaborating on what could be done to stop a European Super League breakaway, we probably wouldn’t have believed you.
Saints & Virgin Media look to widen disabled opportunity
This is a story from the FSF archive – the FSF and SD merged to become the FSA in 2019.
Southampton and Virgin Media will be promoting the work of Scope by handing over the team’s shirt sponsorship to the leading disability campaign group this weekend.
The Saints’ match against Leicester City on Saturday 25th August will see Southampton and Virgin Media handing over its shirt sponsorship to Scope to raise awareness of the charity’s ‘Disability Gamechanger’ campaign – helping to highlight and address the issues disabled people face across the UK.
Southampton’s players will wear special Scope warm-up tops at St Mary’s stadium and Scope will be promoted on Southampton’s big screens. Prior to kick off, a giant version of the shirt will also be carried out on to the pitch.
It’s the second time Virgin Media, Scope and the Saints have publicly supported disabled people, with the players wearing a strip emblazoned with the charity’s logo towards the end of last season againt against Manchester United.
Jeff Dodds, managing director of consumer at Virgin Media, said: “We’re proudly standing united with Scope and Southampton to support disabled people by putting disability equality at the heart of this weekend’s game at St Mary’s.
“It’s time disabled people had the same opportunities as everyone else and no longer feel relegated from society.
“That’s why we’re using the wide appeal and exposure of Southampton’s kit to highlight these issues to people across the UK.”
Last season the club opened its door to a sensory room – funded by Virgin Media – providing a calming environment for fans of all ages with sensory differences.
David Thomas, Commercial Director at Southampton David Thomas said: “We are extremely proud to be able to join Virgin Media and Scope again this season, by wearing a one-off kit for the Leicester City game.
“We are committed to ensuring disabled fans get the same opportunities as everyone else so they can enjoy the sport that we all love.”
Virgin Media’s sponsorship of Southampton also means that away tickets continue to cost no more than £20.
Thanks to PA Images for the image used in this story.
