Forever Saint award: Mark Harpur

A passionate Saints fan who has followed the club home, away and overseas, Mark has also been a very active member of Southampton Disabled Supporters Association.

Vice-chairman until 2021, Mark played a pivotal role in helping organise events such as the annual SDSA Open Day, becoming a well-known and respected figure.

The SDSA recently celebrated its anniversary, an occasion that was marked at Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Watford at St Mary’s.

Set up in 2010 and spearheaded by a committee of five loyal Saints fans with disabilities to give a voice to disabled fans, the SDSA was one of football’s first Disabled Supporters’ Associations.

The SDSA has played a pivotal role in transforming the matchday experience for disabled fans and continues to support the disabled community through the provision of match day tickets for disabled fans who would otherwise not be able to attend games, open days, and sponsorship to several local organisations. The SDSA also provides kit donations to youth and pan-disability football teams including Solent University’s Team Solent Boccia.

The club would like to congratulate Mark on his award, which was presented on a recent trip to St Mary’s.