Craig's Big Smile
Last Updated on Tuesday, 23 August 2011 19:09
Smile TicketsLast season Owls fans donated over £3,500 to our Smile Tickets scheme. The money was used to purchase 21 season tickets in the name of ‘Mr. Smile’. The club kindly changed them into match day tickets so that we could allocate them to patients and carers from The Children’s Hospital, Sheffield and to other disadvantaged and deserving people.
One of Mr Smile’s guests last season at Hillsborough for the Nottingham Forest game was Craig Williams, a passionate fan who because he has to use a wheelchair, is not able to attend many matches and usually follows the Owls on the radio.
Craig is currently doing a post-graduate course in Disability and Social Policy - his ambition is to follow David Blunkett’s example and become an MP, and then perhaps even join the SWFC Board.
With a bit of help from John Rutherford we were able to provide Craig and his carer with match tickets and a wheelchair space. Craig tells us that everyone was very friendly and welcoming but most importantly, it was brilliant to be there, in person, to cheer the Owls on.
After the game Craig spoke exclusively to Wednesdayite about his Smile Ticket experience;
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AN OWLS FAN AND WHY ARE YOU AN OWLS FAN?
When I was younger, I went to an Open day at Hillsborough as part of a play scheme outing and I can remember meeting Howard Wilkinson (then the Manager). I am an Owls fan because I believe Wednesday have a decent history and more cup and league success than Sheffield United. What does it mean to you? I am extremely passionate and proud of Wednesday and love to follow them – even if it is usually only via the radio.
CAN YOU REMEMBER YOUR FIRST EVER MATCH?
No, but I wouldn’t have minded being at Wembley on the 3 April 1993 when Sheffield Wednesday met Sheffield United in the FA Cup Semi Final. I have actually got the programmes from our four trips to the famous old Twin Towers, however nothing can beat being there.
WHO IS OR WAS YOUR FAVOURITE PLAYER?
I don’t know, Probably David Hirst (regularly scored) together with Chris Waddle. In today’s side Tommy Spurr and Marcus Tudgay.
AS PART OF THE WEDNESDAYITE SMILE TICKET PROGRAMME, YOU ATTENDED THE HOME GAME AGAINST NOTTINGHAM FOREST, WHAT DID IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND A GAME?
It was brilliant to be able to attend and see the match in person rather than listen to it on the radio. It is wonderful to be able to join in the cheering and shouting for our team with everyone else. I am very grateful to the people who made this possible for me!
WHAT PART OF THE DAY DID YOU ENJOY MOST AND WHY?
I thoroughly enjoyed all of my day at Hillsborough, where I met up with an old school friend, who also uses a wheelchair, I watched my favourite team and they capped it all by winning! What else could I have wished for? (Wednesday to win the FA Cup or the Premiership!!!)
WERE YOU MADE TO FEEL WELCOME AT HILLSBOROUGH? IF YES, IN WHAT WAY?
Yes – the stewards and everyone else were very friendly and the seating arrangements were good. I believe what makes Hillsborough so welcoming are the facilities for the disabled. We are on raised platforms and not at pitch level so we are able to see all sides of the pitch.
HOW DO YOU TRAVEL TO AND FROM HILLSBOROUGH AND HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOU?
I get to Hillsborough by public transport, this takes around one hour but obviously it depends on how much traffic there is.
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF
My other interest besides Wednesday is Politics, so much so that I decided to do a Degree in Politics and Social Policy. It took me six years to achieve it because of my disability. I am now doing a Postgraduate course at Leeds in Disability and Social Policy. My ambition is to become either the next Joe Ashton or David Blunkett, be a Member of Parliament, and hopefully on the board of our great football club, if not the Chairman.
ANYTHING ELSE?
I have applied for tickets in the past, but have usually been told that there is a long waiting list, which is why I have been to more away matches than home matches. Being at University, and therefore not resident in Sheffield for six years, also made it difficult to get on the waiting list. I would like to be able to attend more matches but I’m dependant on the availability of one of my family members to be able to take me.
Having been to a couple of away games in previous seasons whilst studying at Coventry University, I reckon Hillsborough has got the best disabled access.
HOW TO DONATE TO THIS WORTHWHILE SCHEME
We are welcoming donations for the new 2010-11 season of any amount to go towards the fund, which will truly make a number of deserving people’s days.
The preferred donation method is to send funds using PayPal, to do this click here and most credit and debit cards are accepted. You may also donate in person by speaking to a Wednesdayite Director at the Wednesdayite Lounge, or the Wednesdayite Car Park before a home game.
Donations are also welcomed by Cheque/Postal Order or Bank Transfer, please contact us at
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for details.
Opportunities are also available for businesses or individuals to sponsor part of this scheme, please contact us at
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for more details.
Craig Williams - One of the many recipients of one of our Smile Tickets
