In April 2022 Exeter City Disabled Supporters’ Association thanked Nick Saunders, who reired after 15 years as Chair.

Nick was part of group who formed the ECDSA back on 18^th April, 2007, and became the inaugural, and thus only, chair of the association, when it was officially launched at the Grecians’ home match with Weymouth on 27^th August that year. At the time, the ECDSA were the only disabled supporters’ association in the Blue Square Bet Premier. At the launch, then player Bertie Cozic became the President and was presented with the first ever membership card. The first ever committee was made up of Nick, Colin Adkins, Alastair Young, Margaret Atkins, Chris Fiddes, Mark Fisher, Paul Gray, Jeanne Jones, Ian Jubb, Les Knight and Dacre Holloway.

Over the years, Nick played a huge part in growing the DSA’s membership, which currently stands at just over 120 members, and the 15^th anniversary will be celebrated amongst members at Good Friday’s home match with Colchester United, where a pitch-side ceremony will take place.

“It’s been an honour to chair the DSA for so many years, but I feel now is the right time to hand on the baton to someone else, who can continue the hard work we have done over the last 15 years,” Nick said.

“We have grown our membership base over the years, and are always looking for new members to join our fantastic committee. There are so many benefits and it’s always so rewarding to see our work recognised by the football club, such as on dedicated Level Playing Field match days.”

Committee member Jeanne Jones would like to thank Nick for his service to the DSA.

“Nick has played an instrumental part in the DSA’s growth and development and we’d like to thank him for everything he has done over the last 15 years. Soon we will be looking to elect a new chair for the DSA, and the best way to have your say is to join the committee as we continue to work with the club to give disabled supporters a voice.”

Exeter Daily reported the following by Chalk and Ward PR on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 -

Exeter City Football Club has announced that fan Nick Saunders has been elected to the board of national charity Level Playing Field (LPF) as an executive trustee. The announcement was made at the charity’s AGM last month, which took place at the House of Lords.

Nick has been a Grecian for 27 years, joining the Supporters’ Trust a decade ago and he took on the voluntary role as the club’s Disability Liaison Officer.  He also established the Exeter City Disabled Supporters’ Association (ECDSA) in 2007 – at the time, the only such organisation in the Conference.  In 2011 he established the South West Disabled Fans’ Experience Forum with David Munn of Yeovil Town – and now the forum sees 10 clubs across the West Country work closely together.

And now Nick has been elected to the prestigious position amongst the LPF’s board of trustees, where he his positive influence and wealth of experience will undoubtedly be of great benefit to the charity, as it continues to be for Exeter City.  In particular he is hoping to represent the grassroots and lower level of football, where facilities are often still rather rudimentary.

Nick said: “I think I’ll be bringing a great deal of experience to Level Playing Field and it’s a privilege to be able to fly the flag of Exeter City.

“Everyone talks about what the bigger clubs are able and are doing to improve their facilities for supporters with disabilities.  However, it’s easier for these bigger clubs as they have greater amounts of funds available and some have newer stadiums that are easier to make changes too.

“The way I see it is that smaller clubs can get forgotten and left behind.  This happens in many ways when new or updated disability guidelines are brought in, as it’s the smaller clubs that always struggle the most keeping up with the changes and finding the funds to make those changes.