SDSA Open Day 2017

On Tuesday, August 22nd, the Southampton Football Club and Saints Disabled Supporters Association accessibility day was held in the Virgin Media Hub and Kingsland Stand.

At 12.00pm people started to stream in hoping to see what was on offer including displays and representatives from many local organisations that may be useful to them.

As well as the organisations, we had the Hampshire Junior Trophy, which was the first cup Saints won, the Hampshire Senior Cup, plus a replica of the 1976 FA Cup (very kindly loaned to us by its owner), and visitors could hold and have photos taken with all 3.

Music was provided by Lewis Smith and the Collision, plus Saints Brass.

Throughout the afternoon, a number of ex-saints made personal appearances, posing for photos and signing autographs. We saw Lawrie McMenemy MBE, Franny Benali, Rueben Agboola, Manny Andruszweski, Mark Dennis, and Jim Steele.

Franny brought his daughter Kenzi (who is the club’s matchday pitch announcer) but she declined to “man” the mic for the afternoon. We also saw more recent Saints players Kelvin Davis and Josh Sims, plus Sammy Saint popped in.

For those in need of refreshment, there were teas, coffees, and snacks available.

We are always very grateful to the ex-saints who give up their time to attend our events, and whilst the younger visitors may not recognise all the ex-saints, the adults who accompany them will do.