The world of football may be in a state of lockdown right now, but Southampton have used their quiet period wisely by giving an incredible gift to two young fans.
With no Premier League action to focus on, Saints have turned their attentions elsewhere and have bought two visually-impaired supporters some life-changing equipment that will come in very handy when football does eventually return.
Teaming up with sponsors Virgin Media and VisionAid, Saints initially surprised 14-year-old Joshua and 10-year-old Florence with a special tour of the stadium and a trial run of the equipment before the lockdown began.
The pair are both visually impaired, while Florence has tunnel vision, which is the loss of peripheral vision resulting in a constricted circular tunnel-like field of sight. For this reason, both Florence and Joshua have never clearly seen their favourite football team play.
While wearing the glasses in the changing rooms at St Mary's, the pair were surprised by Saints first-team players James Ward-Prowse, Jack Stephens and Oriel Romeu.
The initial plan was for the pair to return to Southampton for the fixture against Manchester City, where they were to be mascots and watch the game with their new IrisVision Live equipment for the first time.
The coronavirus lockdown put paid to that idea, so Southampton decided instead to send both fans a pair of glasses to their homes for them to keep permanently.
Speaking about the experience, young Joshua said: 'It was incredible meeting the players and to be given these glasses which will mean I can now watch the Saints play in a way I've never experienced before.'
'I couldn't believe it when I saw the players for the first time with my new glasses on. To then be told that I would be mascot was just unbelievable – I'm so excited!' said Florence, who also plays in the Saints Foundation Para Football Academy.
The technology will not only help them watch their favourite players and beloved team, but in a tricky time of social distancing, the equipment will hugely help both Joshua and Florence with spatial awareness as well as being able to watch television clearly for the first time in their lives with their family.
Ward-Prowse, currently Southampton's vice-captain, was also delighted to get involved in the initiative, and said: 'It was fantastic to meet both Joshua and Florence and be a part in making their day so special as part of Virgin Media's Super Saints campaign.
'It's incredibly rewarding when you're given the opportunity to help kids who may be having a difficult time and we look forward to welcoming these Super Saints back to St Mary's when the season kicks off again!'
