For Jephta, supporting Chelsea started when he was just seven years old. Now, almost 20 years later, the Blues remain a huge part of his identity. He was first drawn to Stamford Bridge by the club’s winning mentality and has stayed because of its devotion to the community. 

This season, Chelsea became the first Premier League club to provide British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters on-screen at all home games in the Premier League and WSL, working with Cadbury to facilitate all domestic and European fixtures at Stamford Bridge and Kingsmeadow. 

Chelsea and Cadbury’s Sign with Fingers campaign, built in collaboration with the Chelsea Deaf Supporters Group and National Deaf Children’s Society, looks to celebrate and promote greater inclusion among the club’s fan communities - ensuring that everyone can enjoy matchdays. 

Following football has always been a visual experience for Jephta. Matchdays are shaped by body language, crowd reactions and the rhythm of the game unfolding on the pitch. He reads the atmosphere through movement, emotion and the moment the entire stadium shifts after a goal.

But like many deaf supporters, access to announcements and key information inside stadiums has not always been straightforward. Initiatives like this aim to remove those barriers and ensure deaf fans feel just as included in the matchday experience.

The campaign supports fans like Jephta, and VERSUS caught up with him to find out how initiatives like this one can improve the matchday experience for deaf supporters.

First of all, what does Chelsea as a club mean to you?

Chelsea means identity, pride and belonging. It is more than just football for me. It is about culture, history and community. Growing up supporting the club, you feel connected to something bigger than yourself. Through the highs and the lows, Chelsea has always represented resilience, ambition and unity. It is a place where passion lives, and that connection does not disappear just because you experience the game differently.

This season Cadbury and Chelsea have introduced BSL at all home games. How important is it for deaf fans to have access to this and how important is this awareness amongst hearing fans too?

It is incredibly important. Access to BSL at home games means deaf fans are no longer spectators on the outside. We are fully included in the experience. Announcements, key moments, safety information and halftime entertainment all matter.

Awareness among hearing fans is just as important. When hearing fans see BSL on the big screen, it normalises inclusion. It sends a message that deaf supporters belong here too. Inclusion is not just about access, it is about visibility.

Does having BSL at home games encourage you to go to more?

Yes, it definitely does. When you know the club is making an effort to include you properly, it changes your relationship with matchdays. It removes barriers and makes you feel valued, not like an afterthought. That sense of belonging makes you want to show up more.

What’s one thing you wish more people understood about being a deaf football fan?

I wish more people understood that we experience football differently but not less passionately. Just because we cannot hear the chants or commentary does not mean we do not feel the intensity, tension or joy. We read the game visually. We feel the atmosphere through vibration, movement and emotion. Our connection is just as strong.

What is a typical matchday like for a deaf football fan?

A typical matchday is very visual and observational. I watch body language, crowd reactions, facial expressions and the rhythm of the game closely. Sometimes I rely on subtitles, live text updates or friends to catch certain announcements. It requires more concentration, but the excitement is still there, especially when the whole stadium moves as one after a goal.

What challenges do you face as a deaf football fan?

The biggest challenges are communication and access. Missing stadium announcements, not hearing last minute changes, struggling with customer service interactions or not catching chants and commentary can make you feel slightly disconnected.

There is also the social aspect. Casual conversations with other fans can be difficult.

What makes you proud to be a part of the deaf community?

The resilience and unity. Deaf people constantly adapt to a world not designed for them, yet we build strong communities, cultures and languages. There is creativity in how we communicate and support one another. Being part of that community teaches you resilience, especially given that historically we have been marginalised.

How do you feel supported by Chelsea and Cadbury on matchdays?

Having BSL integrated into matchdays is important because it shows that accessibility is not an afterthought. Seeing interpreters visible at games makes a difference. It tells deaf fans that the club and its partners are actively thinking about us and investing in accessibility. That visibility builds trust.

What advice would you give to hearing fans who want to learn more about communicating with deaf football fans?

Be open and do not be afraid to try. Simple things like facing the person when you speak, not covering your mouth, using clear expressions or even learning a few basic signs can go a long way.

How does football still need to change to be more inclusive for deaf fans?

Clubs should continue improving visual access through more consistent captioning, clear visual announcements, trained stewards and better accessibility awareness across staff. Inclusion should not depend on special events, it should be embedded into every matchday experience. 

The goal should be simple. Deaf fans should be able to attend a game independently and feel just as informed and involved as everyone else.