'Kev’s life proved the power of positivity'
Back in the 1970s, a handful of disabled fans would cluster together on a small, levelled-off piece of concrete at Old Trafford. That’s what passed for a wheelchair platform then.
About 12 of us squeezed on, but there was one main character: Kevin Peek.
It wasn’t often you bumped into someone with brittle bone disease then, which was what Kev had. He was small in stature as a result, but a massive personality and a massive fan of Manchester United.
It wasn’t often you bumped into someone with brittle bone disease then, which was what Kev had. He was small in stature as a result, but a massive personality and a massive fan of Manchester United.
In the early days we used to access the mini platform by going down the old players’ tunnel, which was still in use. Being so close to the players and the dressing rooms was a dream beyond imagination. We were all able to see everything happening at close quarters, which heightened the anticipation for every match.
Very few supporters with disabilities went to away games in the ’70s, simply because there was no allocation for us! Anything that we have today just didn’t exist then.
But Kev simply decided he would go anyway, ticket or no ticket!
He made me smile, because he was always so adamant about watching the away matches. He’d write to clubs himself, asking for tickets, with most of the responses being a big fat zero! But one way or another, Kev got to the stadium and usually worked the people there round to his way of thinking.
It was pure genius, as many other supporters would testify. They’d try the same thing, but without the same success!
But Kev simply decided he would go anyway, ticket or no ticket!
He made me smile, because he was always so adamant about watching the away matches. He’d write to clubs himself, asking for tickets, with most of the responses being a big fat zero! But one way or another, Kev got to the stadium and usually worked the people there round to his way of thinking.
It was pure genius, as many other supporters would testify. They’d try the same thing, but without the same success!
Kev had a partner-in-crime, Martin. They may as well have been married, because they argued like husband and wife. But basically, they were inseparable, and wherever you saw Kev, Martin was always there.
With Kev being so small, when the match started, he needed a bit of extra height... enter the bottle crate! At kick-off, Kev would be lifted for the crate to go under him and then he could see what was on the other side of the domed pitch.
Sadly, that original platform was below pitch level, so most people couldn’t see what was happening. But the solution wasn’t very far away. United were redeveloping the East Stand and from that came a discussion about the first raised wheelchair platform at Old Trafford. It would take a massive 37 wheelchairs (a huge number back then) but the important thing was that it provided an elevated view, so Kev didn’t have to worry about being jacked up on a crate!
With Kev being so small, when the match started, he needed a bit of extra height... enter the bottle crate! At kick-off, Kev would be lifted for the crate to go under him and then he could see what was on the other side of the domed pitch.
Sadly, that original platform was below pitch level, so most people couldn’t see what was happening. But the solution wasn’t very far away. United were redeveloping the East Stand and from that came a discussion about the first raised wheelchair platform at Old Trafford. It would take a massive 37 wheelchairs (a huge number back then) but the important thing was that it provided an elevated view, so Kev didn’t have to worry about being jacked up on a crate!
By that time, MUDSA was already an entity. It started in 1989 with a very small committee, but needed Kev as chair, because he was so synonymous with matchgoing disabled fans. He didn’t really fancy it, because he was so modest. But eventually he became our first chair — a post he held for two years.
If you’ve ever wondered about the lives of some disabled people, you might think they could be a bit boring and mundane. But Kev was evidence of the power of positivity; looking across the horizons for the best opportunities. That allowed him to start businesses and follow United across the world.
If you’ve ever wondered about the lives of some disabled people, you might think they could be a bit boring and mundane. But Kev was evidence of the power of positivity; looking across the horizons for the best opportunities. That allowed him to start businesses and follow United across the world.
There’s no doubt Kev will be missed. He was always the first person you’d see in the Ability Suite, and you could guarantee he’d be at away games or Wembley. Once, when we played in Russia, he was on the touchline by the United bench! He was forever a legend after that.
His passing was a shock, and it’s difficult to imagine Old Trafford without him. We thank him for everything he achieved and for his part in consolidating the position of disabled supporters of Manchester United.
Rest in peace, Kev.
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