Ahead of the UEFA EURO 2020 fixtures due to take place in Glasgow we caught up with Powerchair Football international Lewis McConnell, who shared his experiences of attending games in Scotland.


What is your favourite memory of watching your national team?

I think it would have to be beating France 1-0 at Hampden Park. We were huge underdogs in that game as it was a very experienced French team with several World Cup winners still playing. Gary Caldwell got the goal for Scotland, and we fought hard to hold on until the final whistle. It was a special night at Hampden.

How important is it that you are able to attend live matches?

Going to live matches is a major part of my life, it has been a big miss during the pandemic and I can't wait to get back. It is impossible to recreate the atmosphere that you feel at live matches and that's definitely what I miss the most. 

How did the suspension of live football due to the Covid-19 pandemic impact on you and your well-being?

It impacted on my well-being massively. I play Powerchair Football and Boccia for Scotland, so I've always enjoyed going to live matches and switch off from my own sporting career. 

How do you feel about being able to go back to watching live football again?

I feel great about it! I am very excited and can't wait to get back into stadiums and be part of a crowd at live matches, especially Scotland games.

Why is it important that access and inclusion is taken into consideration at stadiums?

It is so important that any fan, regardless of disability has the option to go to live matches and support their team or country. 

What impact do you hope UEFA EURO 2020 will have on accessibility in Glasgow, and in Scotland in general?

    I hope that disabled fans will have more opportunities to attend live matches as a result of the tournament, and that access on public transport will improve too. 

    What advice would you give to disabled fans who maybe attending their first ever live matches during UEFA EURO 2020? 

      Just enjoy it!

      Who do you think will win UEFA EURO 2020? Which players are you looking forward to watching?

          Scotland of course! I am also excited to see Kylian Mbappe play for France, but overall I just can't wait to watch as much football as possible and see how the tournament pans out, there's bound to be surprises. 

          Lewis recorded the short message below for Steve Clarke and the rest of the Scotland squad ahead of their final group game against Croatia at Hampden Park: 


          We would like to thank Lewis for sharing his experiences with us and taking part in the UEFA EURO 2020 Fan Stories series. 

          Throughout the UEFA EURO 2020 competition, we will be sharing similar interviews from the 11 host cities, as well as access information for each stadium. Follow CAFE on TwitterFacebook and Instagram to receive all the latest news and updates. 

          If you are a disabled fan, or know a disabled fan who would like to participate in our EURO 2020 Fan Stories series or our #MyMatchday interviews, please feel free to contact CAFE’s Fan Liaison, Access and Administration Officer, Amy Wilson, by email on [email protected] or call +44 (0)208 065 5108.

           



          Published 22/06/2021