Specs help Brian see team for first time

To most football fans, going to watch your team play is a regular occurrence.
Brian Casey is able to see again after losing his eyesight for 27 yearsBrian Casey is able to see again after losing his eyesight for 27 years
Brian Casey is able to see again after losing his eyesight for 27 years

But for Fleetwood Town supporter Brian Casey, being able to actually see a match was a forlorn dream after he lost his sight 27 years ago.

Now that has all changed thanks to some groundbreaking visual aid technology called eSight, which Brian was able to trial back in March when he became the first person in Britain or Europe to test it.

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The special specs, which cost around £10,000 a set, have changed Brian’s life and last Friday he was finally able to watch his team play for the very first time when he attended Town’s friendly match with Preston North End at Highbury.

Photo: David Hurst
Fleetwood FC V PNE 
Fleetwood celebrate after Cian Bolger scored in the 1-5 defeat to Preston North End.Photo: David Hurst
Fleetwood FC V PNE 
Fleetwood celebrate after Cian Bolger scored in the 1-5 defeat to Preston North End.
Photo: David Hurst Fleetwood FC V PNE Fleetwood celebrate after Cian Bolger scored in the 1-5 defeat to Preston North End.

Sadly, the Cod Army side lost5-1but Brian, 51, who lives off Poulton Road in Fleetwood, said: “It was brilliant to be able to see the vivid green of the pitch, the colour of the shorts and the numbers on the players’ backs.

“When Fleetwood scored and I saw the ball hit the back of the net, it was something I could only dream about before I got involved in eSight. It’s a dream come true - just a shame about the result!”

Brian, who attended the match with wife Beverly, praised the Fleetwood club for the welcome they gave the couple.