A BLACKBURN Rovers fan who lost his sight more than 20 years ago is appealing for a volunteer to help him keep supporting the team he has loved since his teens.

Clitheroe-based Chris Tatt, 61, became a Rovers fan in 1966 when he was 13. And he became a dedicated supporter, visiting Ewood Park for all home games.

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But at the age of 29, Chris, who lives in Chatburn Road, began to lose his sight. And by the time he was 40 he was left with no useful vision. The grandfather of four was forced to give up work as an electrician at Castle Cement in Clitheroe, leading to him becoming isolated.

Chris became so worried about going out for fear of bumping into things and injuring himself that he became housebound. That meant he stopped going to football matches. For three years Chris was housebound — but then he got his first guide dog, Fable, a white Labrador and golden retriever cross.

Chris said: “It was like a breath of fresh air. Once again I could walk with my head held high.

“When I was told that a virus was causing me to lose my sight I was devastated and it has fundamentally changed my life.

“It was a huge shock and has affected everything that I can do. It has forced me to miss huge parts of my children’s life and huge parts of my wife Marjorie’s life, and I have never seen my grandchildren.”

A spokesman for charity Guide Dogs said: “Fable changed Chris’ life. She got him out and about again, gave him back his independence and increased his confidence.

“As Chris’ confidence increased he began doing things he loved once more, including attending the Rovers matches again.”

Chris is now with his third guide dog — Bobby, an eight-year-old black Labrador and golden retriever cross. But Chris had been struggling to attend football games because a lively match is not a suitable environment for dogs.

All that changed when Guide Dogs found Chris a volunteer who was a Blackburn Rovers fan and able to collect him from Clitheroe on matchdays, guide him in and out of the ground, and enjoy experiencing football with him.

But work commitments mean the volunteer can no longer help Chris. So another volunteer is being sought. The charity will give full training and cover all reasonable expenses including the cost of the volunteer’s match tickets.

Call Claire Hebblethwaite on 0845 372 7409 or email claire.hebblethwaite @guidedogs.org.uk for details.