Dr Connor Penfold, a Lecturer at UCFB, shares this blog:

Researchers at UCFB, Bournemouth University and Ulster University are looking to speak to visually impaired (VI) football fans who attend or have attended live football matches across the United Kingdom (UK).

The purpose of this research is to explore the lived experiences of VI football fans. In doing so, this project aims to better understand VI peoples’ spectator experiences across a wide range of topics, including matchday routine, accessibility, sensory experience, and fandom. This project is open to fans of all professional clubs across the UK.

This research is of a qualitative nature, which means we would like to speak to VI fans about their experiences of attending live football matches. The primary source of data collection for this research will take place via online interviews with football fans who meet the inclusion criteria: 

• Are a resident in the United Kingdom
• Are aged 18 years or older
• Experience visual impairment(s)
• Attends or attended live professional football matches in the United Kingdom

This research has been ethically approved by UCFB, and the anonymity of all participants will be upheld throughout the research process. The online interviews will last for approximately 60 minutes.

If you meet the inclusion criteria outlined above and are interested in participating in this project, please contact Dr Connor Penfold via email or on X.