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Report from GKS Belchatow – Slask Wroclaw game

15 November 2010

On 6th November 2010 a group of fans affiliated in Disabled Supporters Club (Klub Kibicow Niepelnosprawnych –KKN) from Wroclaw went to see a life game in Belchatow. This trip has been organised as a part of project ‘Breaking barriers in South Silesia way’. This project is funded by PFRON with funds distributed through local government Urzęd Marszałkowski Województwa Dolnośląskiego.

We knew for several days before the match that trip to Belchatow may be one of the best in terms of organization. After last year's visit to GKS's stadium, we knew what to expect in matters of infrastructure and transport. We could, therefore, perfectly prepare our trip and good contacts with employees of the club gave us an opportunity to plan even the smallest details. However the most enjoyable was the fact that at lasts the match brought victory to our club which we experienced for the first time during two-year history of operation of the Disabled Supporters' Club. This was our seventh organized trip and it was only the first victory. But let me start from the beginning.

We left at noon from the Grunwald square. The departure site was chosen with purpose. At 12.15 we were already far behind outside the city gates of Wroclaw, without losing valuable time punching through the city. Having two busses gave us additional room for new participants, which made us very happy. We are growing from strength to strength! Inevitably, the moment is approaching when we will be forced to seek funding for a third bus, because interest in away games is constantly growing. After a two-hour journey, we stopped for lunch. Calmly, without rush we enjoyed our meal. Our driver Grzesiu got the idea to connect all the tables, so we felt like at a family Sunday dinner. After our meal we had a moment for reflection, because nearby there was a place where 17-year-old supporter of Silesia had an accident. After lighting two torches and celebration of the memory of Roland we went further. At 4p.m we arrived at the stadium.
 

Dozens of calls the week before the trip and good contacts on the line between KKN and organizers meant that everything was buttoned up to the last button. On our arrival the club employee came to our bus to hand in the tickets and accreditation for Mirek - who recorded the entire trip. Buses has been given the pass to drop us off by the sector entry, which greatly facilitated the rapid entry to our grandstand. Glad that the organizer thought also about our ambulant colleagues and prepared them special chairs. We could easily make ourselves comfortable in the sector – it is worth to mention that there are two accessible toilets, ramps and roof over our heads. We need to admit that Belchatow stadium is well accessible for their possibilities and limitations. Our sector has another advantage - it is just next to the grandstand, where Silesia Wroclaw fans where placed. We were a basically a one group with them, which had a substantial impact on the fact that all the participants of our trip actively engaged in doping. For the first time we had our own banner. Established through the initiative of Darek Wisniewski and assistance of a company, which will be an occasion to mention elsewhere.

Shortly after the first whistle to the sector occupied by the fans began waving flags of Silesia streamer, which made good visual impression. Two flags were in our hands, so that we could participate in the doping prepared by the ultras. Participation in the joint-doping gave such a kick that our group actively supported the players from Wroclaw and did not stop till the end of game. When in the second half Silesia took over the lead, singing turned into shouting. Each of us cheered our players with all the strength, hoping for historic first victory. After the match all euphoria set it. In particular, we are pleased, when after the game the Silesia players came over to thank us for our support and presence during the match. This moment ŚląskNet cameraman recorded. You can watch the movie HERE.

The greatest moment happened when Vuk Sotirovic (the winning goal scorer) climbed on our stand and personally thanks each of us. Once the players left the pitch, we decided to highlight our presence by singing on the "two voices" with other fans located in the guests sector.

We quickly returned to our bus to set back. Chants, smiles and talks about dreamed victory accompanied us up to Wroclaw. In every respect it was a successful trip. As much regret that the autumn round comes to an end.

For help in organizing departure would like to thank:
•Organizer, or SSA employees GKS Belchatow, and particularly Lord Sebastian Sobczakowi
•Motorists Municipal Transport Company - and Mariusz Grzegorz

Our trip was the next stage of the project "Breaking the Barriers to dolnośląsku." Mindful of our donors we would like to thank:
•Marshal of Lower Silesia, Mr Mark Łapinskiemu
•Director of the Department of Social Affairs, Mr Dariusz Kowalczyk
•Director of the Division for Persons with Disabilities, Lord Andrew Mańkowskiemu
•President of the Silesian Institute Advisory Board, Mrs. Dr. Eng. Alexander Sus

Prepared by Paul Parus