AViDS

Aston Villa
Disabled Supporters
AViDS Web

About AViDS

"Aston Villa Disabled Supporters Association was formed in 1999 and we have found their enthusiasm, dedication and commitment invaluable in helping us to maintain and improve the facilities which we provide for our disabled supporters. I have the greatest admiration for the work they do and we look forward to working with them for many years to come to ensure thatwhen disabled supporters come to Villa Park they can continue to enjoy the best possible facilities - they are a valued and integral part of our Club."

Doug Ellis
September 2002

A lot has happened since Ray Fairfax helped to arrange that first meeting of AViDS, back on 28^th May 1999 where we asked if anyone was interested in forming a disabled supporters club.

A steering committee was set up at this meeting who met two or three times at a noisy and smoky Figure of Eight Pub on Broad Street.

The priority issue to establish was, "what was AViDS?"

After lengthy discussions we decided to define a mission statement and a set of objectives, which were as follows:

To benefit all disabled supporters of Aston Villa Football Club

To foster the best possible relationship between the club and its disabled supporters

To strive to improve facilities and participation both home and away and to encourage the continued active support of AVFC disabled supporters

To establish positive and constructive liaison with the club on issues affecting disabled supporters

To form a communication network, especially with other Villa Supporter Clubs and other Midland Disabled Supporter Clubs.

To share common interests and have fun.

These statements together with an AViDS constitution were the main agenda points for our inaugural AGM held at the Holte Suite on 13th August 1999.

Other issues, which were major concerns at the time, were:

Away Travel.

Carers List for supporters who have problems arranging carers home or away.

Official recognition of Association by the main club, with possibly the Committee with club officials.

Selling of Match Programmes in disabled areas especially Witton end.

The major issue identified was to ensure full consultation was held with the ‘Club’ on Involvement in plans for new Trinity Road Stand.

Lord Justice Taylor concluded in his Report following the Hillsborough disaster that Facilities for disabled supporters ‘’ could no longer be optional extras but must be seen as integral to planning’’.

Denis Swain (architect) & Peter Dawes (project manager) were invited to attend AViDS executive committee and General Meetings to enable this consultation process to evolve.

Clearly this process has been very successful. The completed facilities are perhaps close to Lord Justice Taylor vision.

As with any new organisation much effort has been needed to establish a structure and an identity. I would like to thank my committee, members and AVFC staff in helping the initial establishment of AViDS.

I feel the aims and objectives from the initial meetings are being achieved.

The future is very exciting, with Charity Status achieved and with the launch of our own website, two major challenges have now been achieved.

© AViDS Registered Charity No. 1089398