A new piece of Aston Villa history was made at the club’s game against Nottingham Forest at Villa Park last month.
Michael Spriggs became the first Villa fan to be accompanied by a guide dog in the home end of the stadium, helping to transform his matchday experience.
Michael lost his sight at the age of 11 when he developed Stargardt disease, which is a genetic condition that causes a reduction in your central detailed vision.
His affiliation with Villa started around the time he developed the disease, when he used to stand on the Holte End.
Michael’s journey with the club took him to Rotterdam for the European Cup final in 1982 and he also felt the thrill of the club’s First Division win a year earlier.
Coming to matches with his guide dog, Kip, will help Michael to keep supporting the club he’s been in love with since childhood.
“This was another conquest for me, to come to Villa Park with my dog,” he said.
“I’ll have more freedom. I won’t have to come down on the bus, I can come down on the train and it opens up more options.
“It’s a new chapter in both our lives. I want to see if he’ll enjoy it and hopefully take me to a few more games. It’s (Villa Park) my second home.”
He added: “Being a football fan with a visual impairment can be very difficult at times, but the club has supported me by helping me find a good seat to sit in, where I can see a big screen.
“I have a headset to listen to the commentary on. Without the audio description, I wouldn’t know what was going on at all.”
To top the day off, Michael and Kip were taken pitchside after the match to meet Douglas Luiz.
The midfielder spent time with the pair before giving Kip a well-earned treat in the form of some dog-friendly Aston Villa biscuits.
“My message to supporters in a similar position would be, ‘Give it a go’,” Michael said.
“If you don’t like it, you’ve lost nothing. Then again, you might love it like I did. I’d lose it if I didn’t have him (Kip).”
