Magpies launch new in-stadium commentary service for visually-impaired fans

The Magpies will now offer commentary of all home games for blind and visually impaired supporters after partnering with Alan March Sport (AMS), who supply commentary teams for clubs including Leicester City, Wolves, Nottingham Forest and Southampton.

United advertised for commentators for the service earlier in the season, holding a training day at St. James' Park as part of an extensive process, and have recruited Matt Rose, Sarah Clews, John Temple, Nathan Wastell and Glen Robinson, who will gain valuable experience as well as covering every kick for fans inside the ground, who can listen via receivers around the venue.

Zoë Hingston, Newcastle United's head of inclusion, said: "It is really important to us that all our fans have the opportunity to support the team, including those who are blind, visually impaired or with low vision.

"Following feedback from fans, we have worked with AMS to recruit and train specialist commentators, bringing matchday to life for supporters who will really benefit from such a service.

"Our commentators are a diverse team, reflecting our continued commitment to ensuring football is for everyone."

Newcastle United, through its United As One identity, is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to making St. James' Park an accessible stadium for all.

Alan March, managing director of Alan March Sport, said: "It's amazing to have Newcastle join the Alan March Sport family, becoming the 11th club in the UK to use our service to deliver the best audio description (AD) commentary to its blind and vision impaired fans.

"Newcastle has always been well known for their fanatical supporters and they will become the first club in the country to include a successful female applicant in their matchday commentary team, beating off hundreds of other applicants to the training day and standing out as one of the best five on the day.

"When AMS delivers an opening game at a stadium we provide an experienced commentator to assist from our own ranks. On this occasion it will be Nottingham Forest AD commentator, Steve Corry, who has commentated on the UEFA Nations League finals and is part of the AMS team heading to Qatar for the FIFA World Cup, to deliver AD in English for the tournament."

To book the service, email unitedasone@nufc.co.uk.