A young football fan has played a key part in raising awareness of autism at Premier League match.

Eight-year-old Cherries fan Jack Bailey, who has autism, took part in a training session at Bournemouth for over 100 of the club’s stewards, community and front office staff with Dad Gary and the charity Autism Wessex.

The training kicked off the charity’s Autism Friendly Football campaign, which aims to support football clubs to become more autism friendly.

Diagnosed with autism at the age of four-years-old, Jack struggled with communication and interaction, leaving dad Gary feeling helplessly distant and disconnected. A lifelong football fan himself, Gary decided to introduce Jack to the game in the hope they would find a common interest to bring them closer together.

Four years on, Jack is a fanatical Cherries fan and his relationship with his Dad has transformed.

The Autism Friendly Football campaign is run by Autism Wessex with ambassador and former football manager Harry Redknapp and supports football clubs of all sizes to make small changes that will make a big difference to anyone affected by autism.

Karen Wilmshurst, advocacy services manager at Autism Wessex, said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to Jack and Gary for their help in delivering the training session and to AFC Bournemouth for their fantastic support.

"For someone with autism and their family, going to watch their favourite football team play can be overwhelming and stressful but there are easy ways that clubs can help, like giving staff awareness training. We would love to work with football clubs of all sizes across the region so whether you are a fan, player or staff member please encourage your club to get in touch and support the campaign.”

Autism Wessex provides varied and far reaching services to anyone affected by autism. The charity will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2018 and is planning a year-long Autism Friendly campaign.

For further information about the Autism Friendly Football campaign and to get involved please visit autismwessex.org.uk/autism-friendly-football or call Autism Wessex on 01202 703198.