Third family award in four years for Boro
Stevenage FC has been awarded ‘The Football League Family Excellence Award’ for the 2013/14 season.
Created in 2007, the Award recognises the outstanding experience provided by clubs for young fans and families as part of a scheme that won the Gold Award at the European Professional Football Leagues’ Best Practice Awards, earlier this season.
This is the second year in succession and the third time in four years in the Football League that Stevenage has received the Award.
A total of 47 clubs from across all three divisions of The Football League have been given the Award for 2014, the same number as in 2013 despite a significant increase in the benchmark standard being applied by the judging panel. More than ever this year, Football League clubs are providing families with engaging family areas and offering innovative matchday entertainment that delivers a money can’t buy experience for young fans.
Dave Toyn, Marketing, Media & Communications Manager at the club comments, “We are delighted to have won a Family Excellence Award for the 2013/14 season, our third such award in our four years as a Football League club.
“The final report praises the family experience at The Lamex Stadium, with numerous positive examples recorded of family engagement during their two mystery shopper visits, including the friendliness of the stewards, the “excellent Boro Bear” and the downloadable First Time Guide which has “'all the information a new family could need for their first visit', amongst other things.
"The launch of our 2014/15 season tickets last week, including a £25 membership for all U12s which entitles them to a terrace or seated season ticket and a Stevenage polo shirt, has provoked a really positive
reaction amongst fans old and new ahead of the forthcoming campaign. It's up to us now to continue working tirelessly as a club to ensure the match day experience for all our fans is improved as we look to attract the next generation of fans and their families to The Lamex."
In announcing the successful clubs, Football League Chief Executive, Shaun Harvey, said: “The Football League Family Excellence Award gives clubs a standard to aspire to when planning their efforts to attract more families and young fans to their matches.
“It is hugely encouraging to see so many clubs receiving the accolade, demonstrating The Football League’s ongoing commitment to securing the next generation of fans.”
Seven clubs secured the award for the seventh year running – Doncaster Rovers, Huddersfield Town, Ipswich Town, Milton Keynes Dons, Shrewsbury Town, Tranmere Rovers and Yeovil Town. Two clubs, Blackburn Rovers and Port Vale, have been awarded the accolade for the first time.
The award recipients are decided by an independent assessment using real families that has been commissioned by The Football League, at all 72 League clubs, during the 2013/14 season.