Book Review: Following Sam

Jon Attenborough is a key member of the SFU disability team.  He’s also one of the nicest human beings you could meet. Not only that, but he’s in such demand from the likes of the English FA, Level Playing Field, Football Supporters Europe, to say nothing of the football authorities, clubs and other organisations in Scotland that it’s hard, even for us, to pin him down at any one time.  Which makes me wonder how on earth he had time to write this book!

Following Sam has been in print for around a year now. Essentially, it’s Jon’s story of how he and his guide dog, Sam, made their way around all 42 of the SPFL clubs’ stadia.  Over and above this, there’s time for some background information on Jon’s life to date, his work to improve the lot of those with disabilities, his decreasing vision (he only has poor, partial sight in one eye), as well musing on the difficulties of being a visually impaired supporter and the joys of bonding with a guide dog.  And it’s with that last thought that I’m going to start…

Many of us have had dogs in our lives. From personal experience, I know how much joy they bring.  But to be dependent on a dog, not just for companionship and love but for being able to navigate the streets, paths, stairs and byways of our towns and cities; well, that’s something that most of us cannot really imagine.  The bond must be at another level.  And certainly, that’s how Jon’s relationship with Sam comes across: a pair of friends whose lives were totally intertwined.  I saw ‘were,’ because, sadly, Sam died suddenly just after the book was published. This is not the only tragedy in Jon’s book, for we also learn of how his parents died relatively young.  And, perhaps because of this, we also learn of the sheer joy that Jon derives from going to football matches. It’s there in every chapter that deals with his trips around Scotland.  That joy is partially due to the thrill we all get from attending a game, but also from the realisation that he is moving ever closer to his goal of attending a match at each SPFL ground in the country.

It’s also the case that Jon encounters (almost) nothing but friendliness and support from fans across Scotland.  When he’s weary or seemingly lost, others recognise his plight and reach out to help. For example, here’s a trip to Elgin, to watch the local team play Clyde…

“As we walked, I completely lost my bearings… I stopped a group of Clyde supporters who were nearby and asked if we were on the right path to the stadium…To my relief, a few of them even walked with us, guiding me to the stadium and helping us find the accessible entrance.”

For the most part, Jon receives similar kindness and help at grounds the length and breadth of the country.  The DAOs (Disability Access Officers) also play their part, contacting him before the game and often meeting him at the ground to show him where he and Sam can sit.  It’s a heartwarming tale and one that makes you realise that the vast majority of football fans are thoroughly decent people who care for the game and each other in equal measure.

That’s not to say there are not issues.  A recurring one is taxi drivers who, despite the fact that they have a legal obligation to do so, refuse to allow Sam in their cars.  This, and other problems that particularly affect disabled fans are dealt with at various intervals throughout the book and it’s important to note that many of these still exist.  Jon, Stephen Reside and the rest of the SFU disability team are working with others to help remove as many of the obstacles to disabled fans – whatever their disability – have when they want to attend football matches.   Jon built up a substantial social media following as he went around Scotland and these people, in combination with books like ‘Following Sam’ have all got a part to play in making our national game as inclusive as possible. 

If you haven’t read ‘Following Sam,’ it’s available on Amazon. It’s an easy, quick read, and, at a time when the world seems to be in disarray, it will restore your faith in humanity – and dogs!

Alastair Blair, Operations Director, The SFU