Terriers one of just six clubs to gain eighth successive award
Huddersfield Town 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.
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 this year. More than ever this year, Football League clubs are providing families with engaging family areas and offering innovative match day entertainment that delivers a money can’t buy experience for young fans.
Town was one of just six clubs to secure the award for the eighth year running alongside Doncaster Rovers, Ipswich Town, Milton Keynes Dons, Shrewsbury Town and Tranmere Rovers - making Town one of just two Championship clubs to win every year.
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 again, Huddersfield Town has been recognised as offering superb entertainment for families at the John Smith’s Stadium throughout the 2014/15 season, engaging with young fans and families through Family Stand activities such as face painters, balloon modellers and pre-match autograph areas with players.
The Club’s friendly Ticket Office staff, helpful first-time buyers section on htafc.com and range of products in the Stadium Superstore were also picked out for special praise.
The Club also received the ‘Read All About It’ accolade for its match day engagement with families on social media for the new #htafcsnaps initiative launched in 2014/15, which encourages supporters to share pictures from their match day experience at Huddersfield Town.
Huddersfield Town is proud to have achieved success in the Family Excellence Award this season, and the Club’s Supporter Partnerships Manager Robyn Deegan was keen to stress the importance of ensuring the club engages with the next generation of supporters.
“Huddersfield Town is committed to providing everyone, whether they are families, long-term Season Card holders or first time or occasional visitors, with a great match day experience so they come back again and again and tell others how great it is to come and watch live football.
“This needs everyone to work together from the moment fans have contact with the Club until they leave; every person involved in the day must play their part. Service, price, experience, atmosphere, food and entertainment all have to be right.
“Young supporters are very impressionable, particularly on their first visit to the Club, and we want to make sure that we have an affordable, value for money, enjoyable and exciting experience for them and their families that will help to create Town fans for the future.”
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.”
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.
2015/16 Season Cards are available in the Family Stand now - click HERE for full info!
