Supporter group helping improve access to games
A group which helps to improve the experience of disabled football supporters at games across the Black Country has been given an award.
Allies in Access has won the Free Kick Award at the Fans for Diversity Conference in London.
The group is also made up of fans from Birmingham City, Aston Villa, Walsall, West Brom, Wolves and Wrexham who meet in person every three months and communicate online.
A spokeswoman for the group said: "Allies in Access is a group of disabled supporters from Blues, Baggies, Wolves, Villa, Walsall and Wrexham who regularly get together and discuss ways to improve the experience of disabled supporters at football matches regardless of the colours you wear.
"We also liaise closely with the designated police officers for the different clubs and they often attend our forums."
Allies in Access works closely with the West Midlands Police Football Unit, who help initiate contact with safety teams at different clubs.
Rainbow Group in Walsall forms part of Allies in Access.
Rainbow Group started as a free monthly disco for adults and children with additional needs held at The Crown in Aldridge.
The group takes groups of members to matches at Walsall Football club and hold coffee mornings for parents and carers to socialise without the children and support each other.
Joanna Sainsbury, secretary, said: "The group has been together for 18 months and we meet up on a regular basis.
"Every few months we have a forum with representatives from all the different groups and we meet up with police about how it can be better and safer for disabled fans.
"We've also worked with Kick it Out about how it can be better to get disabled supporters to games.
"We want football to be accessible to everybody regardless of the team you support.
"We support each other through the bad times, it's all about supporting each other and moving forward.
"We all want the same thing.
"We were really pleased to be recognised for the work we've been doing. We want it to be rolled out nationally, we'd like it to take off and make a difference."
For more information about Rainbow Group visit rainbowgroupaccessforall.com
