| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... 09:24 - Aug 26 with 2298 views | Libero |
It feels like the end of an era, over the last couple of weeks since the first home match, my Great Uncle's mobility has taken a turn - unsurprising, he's 90 in October and recently spent a short period again in hospital.
I'm ringing the club at 10 to ask about alternative seating arrangements for him, myself and my Dad who support him to games as his carer, as although we take him in his wheelchair, his seats near the front of the north upper require a few steps to get to, he's been navigating them slowly for the last few years but the decline in mobility means it would now cause an awkward delay and potential challenge for when people are entering/leaving the stand.
I'm doubtful they'll be able to seat us on the disabled platform in the North Upper as it always seems rather full when I park his wheelchair, he's been supporting Ipswich for 80+ years, it's his life, so I'm a bit nervous about what if anything they can offer at the moment to ensure he can still see the game.
If they can't offer anything suitable I'm thinking about enquiring as to corporate options, just to ensure that he can still access games at the ground in this final chapter of his life. If anyone has any knowledge about pricing for those, it would be very much appreciate if you could drop me a DM and let me know, so I can figure out if it's a possibility.
Here's an article the EADT did on him at the start of last season-
https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/24298120.88-year-old-town-fan-hopes-premier-l
He's a very special man and not many have seen as many Ipswich Town games as he has. Cross your fingers, toes, eyes for him, lads. I'm desperate to make sure he's in the stadium next weekend. |  | | |  |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 09:26 - Aug 26 with 2217 views | homer_123 |
Good luck! |  |
| |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 09:28 - Aug 26 with 2170 views | Libero |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 09:26 - Aug 26 by homer_123 |
Good luck! |
Thank you, bud - just don't want to disappoint the old boy. | | | |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 09:29 - Aug 26 with 2150 views | Reuser_is_God |
Good luck & hope it gets sorted.
I’ve only ever heard good things about Town when it comes to helping fans in disabled areas etc so I’m certain they will make sure he’s there on Saturday. [Post edited 26 Aug 9:29]
|  |
| |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 09:36 - Aug 26 with 2076 views | textbackup |
My mate did the same with his uncle, they managed to help and get him in the disable area.
Hopefully this works out for you too. As when I see the olden generation at Town games it makes me proud for what they saw us achieve.
Will you keep this post updated so we can see how it goes? As things like this matter. |  |
| |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 09:37 - Aug 26 with 2067 views | Libero |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 09:29 - Aug 26 by Reuser_is_God |
Good luck & hope it gets sorted.
I’ve only ever heard good things about Town when it comes to helping fans in disabled areas etc so I’m certain they will make sure he’s there on Saturday. [Post edited 26 Aug 9:29]
|
Honestly, mate - they've been utterly fantastic since day one that Arthur went into hospital the first time round.
Just concerned as obviously those are quite converted positions up high and with his age he absolutely won't be able to see a thing at ground level.
Appreciate the well wishes, uppa towurn. | | | |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 09:39 - Aug 26 with 2036 views | portmanking |
I've no idea on the corporate route as I've never been lucky enough to afford it, but just wanted to wish Arthur all the best. I've got everything crossed he can still get to see his beloved Town in the coming weeks and months. |  | | |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 09:39 - Aug 26 with 2027 views | Libero |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 09:36 - Aug 26 by textbackup |
My mate did the same with his uncle, they managed to help and get him in the disable area.
Hopefully this works out for you too. As when I see the olden generation at Town games it makes me proud for what they saw us achieve.
Will you keep this post updated so we can see how it goes? As things like this matter. |
That's how I feel about it, beyond being my Great Uncle he's a bloke who has seen it all at this club. He also for many years helped run the away coaches and other things to do with the club- adjectent from ITFC, he actually set up the Ipswich and Suffolk Youth Football league too, he's a football man in the truest sense.
Yeah, will do - I'm sure it'll go fine, the club have been nothing short of amazing for the last few years, just feeling a bit soppy and anxious as the old boy means so much to me and I know this is his everything. | | | |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 09:40 - Aug 26 with 2015 views | Benters |
Good luck mate. |  |
| |
Login to get fewer ads
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 09:40 - Aug 26 with 2015 views | Libero |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 09:39 - Aug 26 by portmanking |
I've no idea on the corporate route as I've never been lucky enough to afford it, but just wanted to wish Arthur all the best. I've got everything crossed he can still get to see his beloved Town in the coming weeks and months. |
Thank you mate, enjoyed the years we all went together - he still speaks of you and your family. | | | |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 09:42 - Aug 26 with 1989 views | portmanking |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 09:40 - Aug 26 by Libero |
Thank you mate, enjoyed the years we all went together - he still speaks of you and your family. |
I just let my mum know about his backward step health-wise. She asked me to send her best wishes too.
Hopefully the club will find a way to get one of their stalwarts in. Perhaps the disabled area in the West Stand would work? Ground level, so not the best view granted, but still... | | | |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 09:45 - Aug 26 with 1930 views | Libero |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 09:42 - Aug 26 by portmanking |
I just let my mum know about his backward step health-wise. She asked me to send her best wishes too.
Hopefully the club will find a way to get one of their stalwarts in. Perhaps the disabled area in the West Stand would work? Ground level, so not the best view granted, but still... |
Thank you, bud - hope she is keeping well, herself.
I'm sure they'll come up with some options, they never disappoint - I imagine it will be ground level as I suspect up high are coveted spots, this is why I'm trying to figure out if there's a potential alternative for him as at near 90, as you'd imagine, he won't be able to make out too much of what's going on down there.
I'm sure he would rather be in the stadium than not, mind you! | | | |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 09:47 - Aug 26 with 1880 views | Mullet |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 09:45 - Aug 26 by Libero |
Thank you, bud - hope she is keeping well, herself.
I'm sure they'll come up with some options, they never disappoint - I imagine it will be ground level as I suspect up high are coveted spots, this is why I'm trying to figure out if there's a potential alternative for him as at near 90, as you'd imagine, he won't be able to make out too much of what's going on down there.
I'm sure he would rather be in the stadium than not, mind you! |
I had to contact Lee Smith ( I think that was a name) for an old boy in the Halesworth lot. He was in a similar bind and the club moved him no problem and Lee was utterly fantastic.
If he’s still in role, he will definitely do all he can. |  |
| |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 09:48 - Aug 26 with 1861 views | Libero |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 09:47 - Aug 26 by Mullet |
I had to contact Lee Smith ( I think that was a name) for an old boy in the Halesworth lot. He was in a similar bind and the club moved him no problem and Lee was utterly fantastic.
If he’s still in role, he will definitely do all he can. |
Aye, Lee is still disability officer/liaison (unsure of correct title)
I'm contacting ticket office in the first instance, but I imagine they'll pass on to Lee who will be in touch. | | | |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 09:55 - Aug 26 with 1802 views | Porksmith99 |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 09:45 - Aug 26 by Libero |
Thank you, bud - hope she is keeping well, herself.
I'm sure they'll come up with some options, they never disappoint - I imagine it will be ground level as I suspect up high are coveted spots, this is why I'm trying to figure out if there's a potential alternative for him as at near 90, as you'd imagine, he won't be able to make out too much of what's going on down there.
I'm sure he would rather be in the stadium than not, mind you! |
Definitely talk to the club. A couple of years ago dad was starting to struggle with the steps up to his seat and unsteady coming back down. We spoke to Lee Smith and he couldn't have been more helpful, moved dad's season ticket to a more suitable seat, arranged travel for him when I couldn't take him and even sorted us free parking. Unfortunately, dad passed away last year, but the fact that he could once again enjoy his Saturdays at PR without any hassle or trauma were invaluable to his mental health in his final couple of years.
Best of luck and best of health |  | | |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 09:58 - Aug 26 with 1772 views | _clive_baker_ |
Best of luck Libero, hope you get it sorted. |  | | |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 09:59 - Aug 26 with 1763 views | Libero |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 09:55 - Aug 26 by Porksmith99 |
Definitely talk to the club. A couple of years ago dad was starting to struggle with the steps up to his seat and unsteady coming back down. We spoke to Lee Smith and he couldn't have been more helpful, moved dad's season ticket to a more suitable seat, arranged travel for him when I couldn't take him and even sorted us free parking. Unfortunately, dad passed away last year, but the fact that he could once again enjoy his Saturdays at PR without any hassle or trauma were invaluable to his mental health in his final couple of years.
Best of luck and best of health |
Sorry to hear of your loss - what an incredible club we support though, to do that for it's supporters in their later years.
Thank you for sharing. | | | |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 10:21 - Aug 26 with 1663 views | CopfordBlue |
Sorry to hear this and I wish him well. Lee Smith, the club’s disability officer, was incredibly helpful when I enquired about some help on behalf of a friend. I hope you are able to get something sorted out for him. [Post edited 26 Aug 10:23]
| |
| |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 11:17 - Aug 26 with 1422 views | EJP |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 10:21 - Aug 26 by CopfordBlue |
Sorry to hear this and I wish him well. Lee Smith, the club’s disability officer, was incredibly helpful when I enquired about some help on behalf of a friend. I hope you are able to get something sorted out for him. [Post edited 26 Aug 10:23]
|
Seconded!
The club have been fantastic with a situation within our family, and have moved season ticket seats for us. Does it have to be the North Stand? South Stand also has the seating. |  | | |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 11:57 - Aug 26 with 1304 views | NR1blue |
As others gave said I'm sure the club will do everything possible to assist.
I worked with Arthur in the mid/late 1960's at Bury St Edmunds and he is indeed a very special man who's devoted much of his life to our wonderful club. Latterly I used to speak to Arthur on the train and marvel at his dedication and stamina in attending away games and is a n example | | | |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 16:34 - Aug 26 with 710 views | Libero |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 11:17 - Aug 26 by EJP |
Seconded!
The club have been fantastic with a situation within our family, and have moved season ticket seats for us. Does it have to be the North Stand? South Stand also has the seating. |
Sadly, both North and South upper tier disability viewing platforms are fully subscribed with season ticket holders- only real option is to go down to ground level and I know he won't be able to tell what's going on because of his depth perception.
I've spoken with someone from hospitality who's going to prepare some options, but even then I think all the seats they were suggesting are technically still lower tier, albeit towards the back.
Other regular seats in the north upper were offered that had less steps involved, but the difference is minimal really to his current situ and I know he'd much rather keep his current seats if possible for now.
Right now we're thinking we will see how he manages for Derby - the swelling in his legs has gone down somewhat compared to over the weekend, but if at any point it's not seemingly working we will just go straight home.
It isn't a long term solution, but might just have to treat it on a game-by-game basis for this season. | | | |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 16:37 - Aug 26 with 662 views | Libero |
| Somewhat personal, but many of you will have met Arthur at somepoint... on 11:57 - Aug 26 by NR1blue |
As others gave said I'm sure the club will do everything possible to assist.
I worked with Arthur in the mid/late 1960's at Bury St Edmunds and he is indeed a very special man who's devoted much of his life to our wonderful club. Latterly I used to speak to Arthur on the train and marvel at his dedication and stamina in attending away games and is a n example |
Thank you for your kind words.
He was still doing home and away all the way up to when he came down with covid and was in hospital for six months, he's done an incredible amount of games and I was so happy when he came out of hospital and we returned to Portman Road together that we just kept winning game after game after game for two years straight- it felt like a real gift, especially when at points I thought we'd never return there together.
Drop me a DM with your name if you'd like me to mention yourself to him, thanks again. | | | |
| |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
