OFFSET YOUR WORLD CUP TRAVEL WITH GREENERTRAVEL
Date: 12th April 2024
Carl Macar is a Hibs and Sunderland fan. That’s slightly unusual, but not unique. There are many football fans who support two clubs. However, there are not many, if any, football fans who go to almost every match, home and away, for both their teams. And, I venture to suggest, there will be no-one else doing this who is also totally blind (and Type 2 Diabetic).
From his home in County Durham, Carl has been to 57 Hibs and Sunderland matches so far this season. Last season, he went to a total of 77 matches. His dedication is such that a few weeks before we talked, on 9thMarch, he’d been to Southampton when Sunderland played there, before travelling from the south coast of England to Glasgow for the Scottish Cup match between Rangers and Hibs the next day (10th March), and then going even further north to Dingwall for the Ross County vs Hibs match on the 13th March.
“The majority of people are really helpful,” Carl told me, “I don’t let my blindness stop me – if anything it brings people together. I go on public transport mainly; some friends drive me from time to time, but generally I go by train or bus. The train assistants are very good and I’ve got to know them over the last ten years or so of going up and down to Edinburgh and elsewhere. On the train, people come up and say hello and the guards, will ask ‘who are Hibs playing today…?’ I’ve come to know a lot of them and I think I’ve managed to persuade some of them to follow Hibs too! Away fans are usually very helpful and I’ve got to know various Supporters Groups from all the clubs and there are some great people who really go out of their way to make a difference for disabled fans like me.”
How, I wondered, does someone from north-east England become a Hibs fan?
“That’s easy – when I was younger, I went to the Blind School in Edinburgh. I’d come back home at weekends to go to Sunderland games, but being in Edinburgh during the week I made lots of friends, one of whom was a Hibs fan. That’s what started me.”
Then there’s the question of all that travelling…
“I actually enjoy the travelling. As I said, I’ve got to know many of the train staff and I also have to stay in hotels for games when I’ve gone a long distance. Sometimes, it can be a disaster though. I remember I was going to Inverness for a game and it was called off that morning. I’d reached Perth, where I spent two minutes in the station before, fortunately, there was a train heading back south again.
“When Hibs are at home midweek, after the match I can get the Megabus from Edinburgh to Newcastle: it leaves at 11.00 pm and then I’m usually home for 2.00 am. Glasgow is different, you have to stay in a hotel. I prefer to go to away games to be honest. I don’t need much help; I can get a taxi to the ground and then I just need someone to meet me and take to my seat. I’ve got a Carer with me at almost every ground and because I go to so many games, I’m a weel-kent face, plus I’ve been on the radio and I’m regularly on Facebook and Twitter. People come up and say ‘hello Carl, hello Maca – great to see you.’
I asked Carl what he makes of his teams’ seasons so far…
“Sunderland have not had a great season. As a Hibs fan, to tell the truth, I’m a bit disappointed with how the season has gone, but if we finish in the top six I’ll be happy. I was also disappointed with the way we went out of the Scottish Cup game.
And finally, how does he cope with his disability?
“You might find this strange, but I laugh at my disability. I really don’t need to ‘see’ the game. I can get the commentary if I want it: most big clubs have someone doing a live feed for blind or visually impaired fans. I’ve used it in Aberdeen but not many other places. I go for the atmosphere as much as anything, which is why you’ll find me in the singing section at Easter Road and at away matches I head for the guys with the drum. I’m often the one who starts the singing off. That’s what football is about – fans getting behind their teams.”
Interview by Alastair Blair, SFSA Director of Operations
Posted in: Latest News
Tags: disability