Meet the DSA Board
The DSB evolved from the original Supporters Advisory Board where from it’s outset it was evident the accessibility issues were taking up too much of the agenda. Working with the Club we have led on many initiatives and instigated facility improvements at the Ground that have further improved the matchday experience for our Disabled Supporters.
The Disabled Supporters' Board aims to act as a platform for meaningful engagement and being the key conduit between accessibility supporters and the West Ham United Board, with the aim of working together to consult, discuss and set actions to help us achieve the best experience for our accessibility supporters across all areas.
Having held its first meeting in July 2017, in advance of the 2018/19 campaign, the full DSB continues to meet regularly with the Club (inclusive of the Covid lockdown). We maintain a positive and productive working relationship with the Accessibility Team speaking frequently both in person, on virtual meetings and via telephone calls, which means we are both able to promptly raise issues that impact on disabled fans.
As Chairpersons, we strive to keep at the fore of accessible stadia guidance, Government expectations and Premier League regulations. We are active members of the Premier League Disabled Advisory Group and hosted one of the meetings at the London Stadium in 2021. Cathy represents the DSB on the Club’s Independent Supporters Committee (ISC) ensuring the accessible voice is heard and our views are taken into consideration. As West Ham’s Women’s Teams fortunes continues to prosper, Trevor represents the DSB on their Supporters Board and regularly attends their games at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.
The Disabled Supporters Board now aims to hold bi monthly meetings to discuss how best they can support, assist and represent all disabled supporters. We hope that by establishing the West Ham United Disabled Supporters Association we will engage with more accessibility fans and create a community beyond matchdays at the London Stadium.
Cathy Bayford
Co-Chair & ISC DSA Rep
Website Editor
I am Co Chair and Co Founder of the Disabled Supporters Board alongside Trevor Bright. Together we sit on the Premier League Supporters Advisory Group and I represent the DSB on West Ham’s Independent Supporters Committee (ISC) .
Hubby & I have been Season Ticket holders for over 15 years, attending games regularly at the Boleyn, the London Stadium and various away matches through the seasons.
I am fiercely proud of my Forces background having served 21 years in the RAF before an injury forced an early retirement. I went on to work in a management position in a Further Education College. Both career paths thrived through a mindset of teamwork, an ethos I believe I have carried forward when working with the Club.
I am hoping that the formation of the full DSA will continue to grow the feeling of community for our accessibility supporters and we can continue to further improve the matchday experience for all our disabled fans.
Trevor Bright
Co-Chair, Communications Sub Committee & Womens Supporters Board Member
I am Co-Chair of the Disabled Supporter's Association alongside Cathy and I also sit on the WHU Womens Supporters Board, attending the home games in the WSL.
I'm a ex continental lorry driver until a accident changed my life and now I have a different perspective on disabilities in life, as I now use a mobility scooter or wheelchair .
I have been a season ticket holder since the Club's move to London stadium, however I have been a Hammer's fan since the 1960's.
My aim is to produce a better matchday experience for everyone with or without a disability.
Bradley Donovon
Stewarding Sub
Committee Rep
I’m a wheelchair supporter and I have been a season ticket holder since the move to the London Stadium.
I joined DSA Board to ensure people of any ability enjoys there match day experience as much as possible.
Mick Hancock
Campaign Secretary
I'm a part-time manual wheelchair user with Primary Progressive MS.
I work for a Community Alarm/Lifeline company, monitoring Emergency Response right across the UK.
I stay active, am a season ticket holder, and travel from Rochester.
I enjoy a great family life and hold a section one firearms license to help with team motivation if needed!
Tracy Higgins
Communications
Sub Committee
While I do not believe my disability impacts me personally in any great way, I truly believe it’s important that every fan attending a football match has equal opportunities, regardless of their abilities, beliefs, sexual orientation, etc. I know that West Ham is one of the front runners in ensuring disabled fans have the best possible matchday experience, and I want to help the club continue this and improve the experience further.
David Puckett
Shuttle Bus
Advisor
I love to help people and I take pride in being a part of the DSB. I consider myself an approachable member of the West Ham United fan base, and like nothing more than speaking to my fellow supporters about their concerns.
Kevin Wooton
Board Member
I'm the father of an autistic season ticket holder, The club already do a great deal to help disabled supporters and I joined the board as I wanted to help where possible make the West Ham experience even better for our disabled fans. A lot of our disabled fans have difficult and challenging lives so if we can help in any way in making their match day experience a
comfortable and enjoyable experience then I know that this would be greatly appreciated.
Helena Reynolds
Board Member
I applied to be a board member as I and my family have been fans since before I was born, I grew up in the Middle East in Bahrain before moving back to Lancashire and worked caring for patients with motor neurone disease and those in the last stages of life. As a disabled person myself who has undergone multiple surgeries for Crohn's disease, I felt I could offer my time and do something to help other disabled supporters.
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Robbie Cahill
Board Member
I am a season ticket holder, and regularly go to away matches, I was lucky enough to go to all European games last season.
My learning disability means that I need support to access the matches. I like to attend the meetings to improve the match experience for everyone and I appreciate all the work the club is doing.
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Joe Seigel
Board Member
Hi I’m Joe, I am a season ticket holder in the Bobby Moore lower and I am committed to making the match day experience better for supporters such as myself with non visible disabilities like autism and aspbergers to name but a few. I work in film and tv production currently and love spending my weekends watching West Ham and spending time with family and friends. I travel in from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire by train to watch the mighty hammers. COYI ⚒️⚒️
Sanjay Chadha
Finance Sub
Committee Rep
I have had a season ticket since Upton Park and currently sit in the West End stand, Block 107. I developed Multiple Sclerosis many years ago, which has brought many difficulties and challenges, but still being able to partake of my first love, West Ham, is vital to my wellbeing. This would not have been possible as the disease progressed, and continues to progress, without the full support and work of the DSB working with the club. Hence, my passion as a Board Member is to make this happen for as many people with any impairment as possible: The West Ham family is everyone's family
Emma Fielding
Minutes & Procedures
Lead
I'm an ambulatory wheelchair user with EDS and related comorbidities, that mainly involve my joints and connective tissues. My situation is degenerative so part of my reason for getting involved is to future-proof my ability, and those in similar circumstances to continue to come and watch the football.
I am a primary school teacher in Hertfordshire (but born and raised in Brighton). I come to matches with my Mum and brother, occasionally trading them in for friends! I sit just behind the home corner flag in the Billy Bonds Stand.
Keighley Tansley
DSA Advisor for
Deaf & Hard of Hearing
As a deaf West Ham Supporter with a deaf son, I applied to be a Board Member as I am passionate about making sure football is accessible to all the deaf and hard of hearing fans and want to ensure attending the Stadium to support our team is fully accessible for the next generation of deaf West Ham fans. I come from a big West Ham family. I remember as a child going to games with my Grandad. It was amazing to take my son to his first game with my Grandad and share that experience. I look forward to working with the Board to make the club and games more inclusive for all the deaf Hammers!
Gary Freegard
Web Site Design & Communications
Sub Committee
I am a lifelong West Ham supporter with a neurological disorder (FND/NEAD) and mental health illnesses. I'm originally from Milton Keynes but recently moved
near to Rutland.
I joined the board as I'm an advocate for people suffering from or supporting people with mental health illnesses. As someone who has suffered for many years with mental health problems, I fully understand the stigma associated with it and want to stamp it out of society for good.
I work in digital marketing/media and also provide charities and good causes with free websites & digital marketing.
