A blind football fan has been voted “supporter of the season” in a top awards ceremony in the UK.
Dave Heeley was recognised at Sunday’s 2024 EFL Awards ceremony in London.
The award seeks to “provide recognition and praise for a passionate and loyal supporter, who has demonstrated their support, dedication and commitment to their Club, its community and fellow supporters.”
The 66-year-old, known affectionately as “Blind Dave”, has been a West Brom fan for over 50 years, having grown up and lived locally all his life and followed the club since his youth.
Being visually impaired, Dave admits it would be easy for him to sit at home and listen to games on the radio, but he attends every home game at The Hawthorns and enjoys being part of the crowd, soaking up the atmosphere.
This season, Dave has raised over £30,000 for The Albion Foundation after completing the Hadrian’s Wall walk in the summer. Despite recovering from a full knee reconstruction, Dave remained committed to the challenge trekking over 80 miles and 130km across five days from Wallsend to Bowness, walking in high temperatures across tough terrain.
Dave’s fundraising efforts have helped the Foundation to expand what they offer to the community, with a vast disability sports programme now in place, including: Powerchair Football, Blind Football, Cerebral Palsy Football, PAN Disability Football, SEND multi-sport holiday camps and sessions.
His incredible feats of endurance have not only raised over £3 million for various charities, but Dave was also awarded an OBE in 2020 for services to charitable fundraising. Still a local legend at heart, Dave has inspired hundreds of people, many in similar positions to him, to take up running and fitness, and often giving up his time to help, encourage and support others on their own journeys.
After collecting the award, Dave said: “I just couldn’t believe it, all I can say is thank you so much to everyone who nominated me, and to everyone at the EFL for welcoming me.”
