Crewe has been awarde the Football League Family Excellence Award for the 2014/15 season.
CREWE ACHIEVES THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE FAMILY EXCELLENCE AWARD
Crewe has been awarded ‘The Football League Family Excellence Award’ for the 2014/15 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.
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. A total of 42 clubs from across all three divisions of The Football League have been given the Award for 2015, with a significant increase in the benchmark standard being applied by the judging panel.
With an increase in the number of juniors and families now attending matches around the country (in the last six seasons junior attendance in The Football League has risen by 31% compared with a 6% increase in overall attendance during the same period), this is both testament to clubs’ work to attract them, and an indication of the challenge and importance of retaining them for generations to come.
In achieving the award Crewe Alexandra has been recognised as offering superb entertainment for families at Gresty Road throughout the 2014/15 season, engaging with young fans and families through such initiatives as our new Family Lounge.
Crewe is proud to have achieved the Family Excellence Award this season, and John Bowler was keen to stress the importance of ensuring the club engages with the next generation of supporters.
“Crewe Alexandra is very much a community based club and we are always trying to entice future generations of supporters to the Stadium, ‘says John.
“There are the lifeblood of any football club and we have improved our relationship with junior teams and grassroots football. We want them to develop an association with their local team as much as possible and we are delighted that our efforts have been rewarded with the family excellence award for 2014/2015.
“It is a great achievement for everyone involved and I would like to thank all those families who continue to watch live football with us and be a part of it. “
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.”
6 clubs secured the award for the eighth year running – Doncaster Rovers, Huddersfield Town, Ipswich Town, Milton Keynes Dons, Shrewsbury Town and Tranmere Rovers. York City has 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 2014/15 season.
For more about The Football League visit www.football-league.co.uk.