Club recognised by Football League for matchday service to Bolton supporters
Bolton Wanderers has been awarded ‘The Football League Family Excellence Award’ for the 2014/15 season.
This is the third successive season that Wanderers have achieved the accolade. The Whites were also nominated for ’Best Retail Outlet’ (won by Carlisle United), and ‘Best Family Area’ (won by Wolverhampton Wanderers).
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. 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.
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.
Bolton Wanderers is proud to have achieved the Family Excellence Award this season in recognition of offering superb entertainment for families at Macron Stadium throughout the 2014/15 campaign, engaging with young fans and families through such facilities as FanZone and interactive areas in the Family Stand, as well as providing numerous opportunities to meet first team players at various family events throughout the year.
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.