Imps enlist help of season ticket holders and their guide dogs to shine a light on Unite For Access campaign

A woman with her guide dog at LNER Stadium

The Imps are dedicating Saturday’s fixture with Bristol Rovers to Level Playing Field’s 'Unite For Access' campaign, an initiative which celebrates access and inclusion for disabled sports fans.  

To helps us shine a light on the campaign, we're welcoming Imps season ticket holders Ty Corcoran and Alison Bradley, and their guide dogs, Bruno and Summer, who will be pitchside as the teams enter the field for the Sky Bet League One fixture. 

Ensuring that the LNER Stadium is a place where everyone can enjoy their football is instrumental to everyone at Lincoln City and the club have continuously made great strides to make the matchday experience accessible and enjoyable for all.  

Ty, who has been attending City fixtures with his guide dogs for many years, said: "The thing that has always struck me about coming to games here has been that it doesn't matter whether you have a disability or whatever, if you're an Imp, you're an Imp.  

"I wouldn't be here without my guide dogs and I'm not exaggerating when I say that, there have been times where they've genuinely saved my life. By having a guide dog, it really helps me get through everyday life and makes it so much easier to navigate my way through crowded places.  

"My old dog Zac - who is sadly no longer with us - managed to get himself on TV at least three times, so he had his 15 minutes of fame! He was featured during our cup run and he was a fantastic guide dog who I miss dearly.  

"Now I have a wonderful guide dog called Bruno and he's a little gem, too. He doesn't watch the ball like Zac did, but he still loves coming here, especially because he gets so much attention. 

"Honestly, I can't speak highly enough of the football club and everything they do to ensure my matchday experience is as great as it can be. I really enjoy coming here and so does Bruno.”  

"The thing that has always struck me about coming to games here has been that it doesn't matter whether you have a disability or whatever, if you're an Imp, you're an Imp."
Ty Corcoran
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Lincoln City supporters with their guide dog inside LNER Stadium.

Alison – who is partially sighted – has been attending City games for three seasons and was also full of praise for how the Imps have made the LNER Stadium a place where everyone can enjoy their football.  

She said: "I've found the accessibility at Lincoln City to be absolutely brilliant. Summer has become a kind of 'celebrity' where we sit. 

"Being partially sighted, I do have some vision, but I'm unable to navigate myself alone through crowds, I need Summer to do that. 

"The football club have been so good and each season we've kept the same seats and the audio commentary they provide is fantastic for helping me follow the game.  

“Heidi (disability liaison officer, Heidi Langham) and the rest of the team have really helped to make us feel welcome.” 

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A woman walking with her guide dog