Clubs from across all three divisions of The Football League have been awarded the 'Football League Family Excellence Award' for 2008/09. A total of 41 clubs have received the Award, recognising the truly outstanding experience they provide for young fans and families at their grounds.
In announcing the successful clubs, Football League Chairman, Lord Mawhinney, said: "The 'Football League Family Excellence Award' provides a benchmark towards which clubs can work. It also aims to encourage their efforts to attract and retain family groups as supporters.
"Increasingly, our clubs are recognising the importance of adding value to the matchday experience of fans, so that families keep returning."
This season has seen a significant rise in the standard of family experiences being offered by clubs, with nine more clubs achieve the award than in 2007/08. A number of clubs have introduced more imaginative pricing structures to attract families and a more welcoming, family focussed stewarding team to ensure their experience is memorable.
This season has seen a growing number of family areas for away fans and well signposted family friendly areas of the ground. Also, entertainment before matches and at half time has improved vastly with many new and innovative ways to keep the younger family members happy appearing all the time.
The Award is based on an independent assessment of the family experience at all 72 League clubs, commissioned by The Football League, during the 2008/09 season using 'mystery shopper' families.
Not only does it recognises those clubs that are already providing an outstanding family experience, but it also aims to encourage those that have not been successful this time around. Best practice guidance, feedback and training will be available to the remaining clubs to encourage their efforts towards achieving the mark next season.
Once again, The Football League will to recognise the club delivering the very best family experience in each division through the 'Family Club of the Year' award at this season's Football League Awards. The event will be held on 29th March 2009 at the Grosvenor House, Park Lane.
Clubs that have achieved the award for the 2008/09 season:
CHAMPIONSHIP
Birmingham City
Burnley
Cardiff City
Charlton Athletic
Coventry City
Derby County
Doncaster Rovers
Ipswich Town
Norwich City
Plymouth Argyle
Preston North End
Queens Park Rangers
Reading
Sheffield United
Southampton
Swansea City
Watford
Wolverhampton Wanderers
LEAGUE 1
Cheltenham Town
Colchester United
Huddersfield Town
Millwall
Milton Keynes Dons
Northampton Town
Oldham Athletic
Peterborough United
Southend United
Swindon Town
Tranmere Rovers
Walsall
Yeovil Town
LEAGUE 2
Accrington Stanley
AFC Bournemouth
Bury
Chester City
Dagenham & Redbridge
Exeter City
Lincoln City
Morecambe
Shrewsbury Town
