Accessible car parking has been an issue at Hibernian F.C for many years for both home and away fans. The only designated disabled parking was on a side street on a steep hill, with a long uphill walk to the stadium and on a first come first served basis.It was also brought to the SDSA and the newly formed Hibernian DSA’s attention that supporters were put off attending games due to difficulties parking.

Garry O’Hagan a director of Hibernian F.C. took this on board and to his credit worked hard to resolve the problems.

For home fans Garry sourced a piece of available land 2 minutes from the stadium with the potential for approximately 30 accessible spaces. The owner agreed  to let Hibernian F.C. use it on match days for a nominal fee. Supporters are absolutely delighted with  the new set up. In fact the Hibernian DSA have heard of new season tickets holders as they heard about the new car parking facilities.

For away fans Garry also came up with a temporary solution, however very welcome in the meantime, finding an area to park their cars a very short distance from the South Stand which is used to accommodate away fans.This was successfully trialled at two recent Hibernian v Heart of Midlothian games.

The Hibernian Disabled Supporters Association and the Scottish Disabled Supporters Association thank Garry and Hibernian F.C. for doing their utmost do resolve this issue. Yet again proof the DSA’s at local and national level working with football clubs works!!

Pictured is young Hannah with her mum Anne and Heart of Midlothian Disabled Supporters Club secretary, Keith Ferguson.

Anne has been a HDSC member for many years and travelled from Airdrie to watch Hearts with her father James who was also a member. Sadly James passed away last year and Hannah has stepped into her grandad’s place to become our youngest ever member. However Hannah also has the honour of taking our membership up to 100 !! This is a wonderful milestone for the HDSC which has been going now for over 20 years.

Hibernian Disabled Supporters Association were honoured to host the Scottish Disabled Supporters Associations recent meeting on 30 January 2014. The meeting was attended by members from across Scotland along with some joining in via the internet. This would not have happened without the support of Hibernian F.C. in particular Club Director Garry O’Hagan, for allowing the meeting to be held in Easter Road Stadium.

In the picture above Garry on the right was joined by Keith Ferguson (middle back) Chairman of the SDSA plus Peter Dzerdz (left back), Gary Smith (front left) and Paul Ralph (front right) all from the Hibernian Disabled Supporters Association

After the meeting, Garry took time to give visitors an impromptu tour behind the scenes, showing them round the dressing rooms, treatment and warm up areas etc…

Both the HDSA and SDSA would like to take this opportunity to thank Hibernian F.C. for their hospitality.

More news on developments at Hibernian to follow soon…..