EXETER City Football Club continues to be recognised for its “exceptional family matchday experience” in the EFL (English Football League) Family Excellence Scheme.
The results show that the club has once again achieved gold, for the fourth year running, for family excellence from the EFL – one of only 13 clubs across all the English football leagues to achieve the accolade for the 2023/24 season.
The Grecians were positioned third in Sky Bet League One and eight out of all 72 clubs from across the English football leagues with an average score of nine out of 10!
The EFL’s Family Excellence Scheme assesses the experience Clubs provide for match-going families through the use of family matchday assessors, covering a range of touchpoints across ticket purchase, matchday activations and experience, accessibility, facilities and family communications.
The report states that City offers “Another incredibly consistent family experience”:
“This season’s two EFL Family Excellence assessment visits once again confirm extremely strong levels of match day engagement at the home of the Grecians. As in 2022/23, this season has seen two incredibly consistent visits with very few gaps and some real stand outs for families to enjoy.
“Match day info is presented well and serves to reassure and to also build excitement and, once at the stadium, the fan zone provides plenty of excitement and activities (with a special word for the MC there who makes sure everyone feels welcome). Nick’s little cameo (in the club store on the second visit) is yet another example of how well the club’s culture of supporter engagement is embedded. If this can be further developed across the entirety of the experience to all roles, the club will reach new heights of excellence.”
The Family Excellence scheme sees Clubs receive two visit assessments each season to determine the quality of the family matchday experiences they provide. This season assessors visited during the Wigan Athletic match in October 2023 and the Fleetwood Town match in February 2024.
The scheme recognises the continuous improvement and best practice that emerges across the League and rewards Clubs for their efforts in attracting and retaining young supporters.
Of the 68 EFL Clubs which achieved Family Excellence status, 13 were recognised as “Gold Award” winners for the exceptional family experience they provide for supporters on matchdays.
Clive Harrison, chair of the Exeter City Supporter Experience Committee said: "As a supporter-owned club, it is vital to us that we provide the very best experience possible for our fans and we are really proud to have won this gold award for the fourth year in a row. It is testament to the many, many people - staff and volunteers - who work hard to create an amazing matchday experience for everybody visiting St James Park.
"We never rest on our laurels and we are always looking to improve the supporter experience. This summer we have a number of projects underway which will further enhance matchdays and we'll continue to work hard to maintain this gold status."
EFL Chief Executive, Trevor Birch said: “Attendances across the EFL are at a modern day high and it’s really encouraging to see more than one million junior supporters attend an EFL match for the third season in a row, highlighting the great work being done by EFL Clubs to encourage young people through the turnstiles.”
The Gold Award winners for 2023/24 season are: Blackburn Rovers, Derby County, Doncaster Rovers, Exeter City, Huddersfield Town, Ipswich Town, Lincoln City, Middlesbrough, Plymouth Argyle, Queens Park Rangers, Stoke City, Tranmere Rovers, Walsall.