top of page
Picture1.png

Disabled Supporters Assistant (DSA)

Michael Paxton

We are familiar with seeing the neon pink around the Stadium on match days, but we want to get to know a little about the people behind the jackets.

​

In this article we meet Michael Paxton, the Disabled Supporters Assistant (DSA) who leads on match day handing out headsets from our blind and visually impaired supporters.

 

A brand new audio descriptive commentary system was launched prior to our game against Newcastle United on Sunday 8 October. The Club’s Disabled Advisory Officer, Julie Pidgeon, has been working closely with James Datson - who has provided West Ham United’s audio descriptive commentary for over 20 seasons - and the Disabled Supporters Association to ensure we continually improve accessible services for fans. 

 

The new system is a much-improved digital service that will provide an enhanced match day experience for visually impaired supporters, who will be able to enjoy the atmosphere of the stadium and keep up with the action in real time, wherever they are in the Stadium. 

 

 

Can you explain your role for us please? 

 

As a match day Disabled Supporter Assistant, I am part of the Team managed by Julie Pidgeon. We cover a wide range of duties around the stadium before, during and after home games to help and improve the experience of our disabled supporters. 

For the last couple of seasons, before and after the matches my main role has been distributing to and collecting commentary headsets from our blind and visually impaired supporters. These enable the supporters to hear the brilliant commentary delivered by James, which I know they really enjoy. During the matches I am usually stationed on the Sir Trevor Brooking balcony along with other members of the team, where we are available to offer assistance to anyone who needs it. 

 

How did you come to work for the club and how long have you been there? 

 

I retired from full time employment in 2016 after working in Further Education for 33 years. Having always been a massive football fan and having some previous experience of working with disabled students, I was extremely interested when a friend told me about the role. I applied to Julie and was very pleased to be offered a position. That was in 2018 so I have been working as a DSA for 5 years now. 

 

I understand that there are new headsets being used this season. Have you had any feedback? 

 

That's right, the new headsets were introduced a few games ago. They are much smaller and easier to use than the old ones. The feedback I've received is all very positive. The supporters tell me that the reception is much better, they like that the batteries are longer lasting and that the headset display shows how much charge is left in the batteries.  

So all in all the new headsets seem like a real improvement in helping the users enjoy their match day experience. 

 

Are you a West Ham fan? 

 

Absolutely, I am proud to be a lifelong supporter.  Being born and growing up in Forest Gate, West Ham has always been my team. I attended school in Upton Lane, Forest Gate and remember when I was about 14 or 15 years old in the early 1970's, we had 2 West Ham players come and take us for football training in West Ham Park, which was just across the road to my school. Although these weren't the multi millionaire's like today's players, I was still in awe, as it was Peter Grotier and Tony Carr who were both young professionals on the fringes of the first team so rubbing shoulders with the superstars of the day such as Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst. As we all know Tony Carr went on to have a long career with the club coaching some fantastic young players, such as Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole, Michael Carrick etc. Sadly, he must have missed my potential. ;-) 

 

Who is your favourite player? 

 

There are so many great players of the past, but my all-time favourite has to be Billy Bonds. I loved his commitment to the cause and the fact that he was as hard as nails and always gave 100%.  

My favourite in the current team is Jarrod Bowen. Like Bonzo he always gives 100% from start to finish in every game he plays in. 

 

Do you have a most memorable game? 

 

I think one of the great games was the famous last game of the season against Man Utd away, where Tevez scored the winning goal and we avoided relegation. That was such a fantastic, backs to the wall, never say die performance.  

bottom of page