A mum who takes her disabled son to Manchester City matches has blasted the club after she was told she must pay for a ticket from next season.
Claire Howarth has been allowed free entry to the Etihad stadium to care for her City-mad son Callum, 4, who has a rare heart condition.
But in a change of policy, the club has contacted Claire and other carers who take disabled fans to matches to say tickets will not be free after the summer.
It means her family will have to find £305 extra to cover the cost of taking Callum to games.
Callum has been a City supporter since he learned to talk - and even managed to meet his favourite player, Pablo Zabaleta, after his dad Ian tweeted a picture of him in hospital following three open-heart surgery operations. His condition means that he struggles to breathe and requires constant medical attention.
Claire, from Marple, said: “I called up to renew the ticket and they tell me I can’t. Then I get a call from the club saying we have to pay for a full-price ticket.
“It’s not about the money, it is about the principle.
“The adult accompanying the disabled child is not just any adult – you have to be able to cope with particular circumstances. You are there for a reason, not just to see the match.”
Callum was treated to a one-on-one training session with the Blues’ right-back Pablo Zabaleta in March last year after surgery to mend his heart. His dad had tweeted the Argentine with a photo of Callum and his teddy bear ‘Zaba’, and got an instant reply.
After their kickabout, Callum met the rest of the players and took some photos.
Claire said: “He had such a great time with all the players. They loved him. Pablo Zabaleta was brilliant.”
She said the added fee would be a devastating blow for Callum: “He loves watching City play. He knows all the players and loves telling me who is passing to who or who has scored.
“He can’t just go to the main stands with his dad. He needs to take more care. I go because he loves it, but if I have to pay as well, that is a real setback.”
City said that following complaints from families, the club has agreed to negotiate discounts where appropriate. A Blues spokesperson, said: “Manchester City actively promotes equality for all supporters in-line with Premier League Guidance and advice from Manchester City Disabled Supporters Association and Level Playing Field.
“The club will continue to work with all supporters to ensure their needs are met in a fair and non-discriminatory way.”
