Family Excellence acknowledged.
The Football League has won the Golden Award at the European Professional Football Leagues’ (EPFL) Best Practice Awards in Paris.
The event, held at the Eiffel Tower, showcased the very best work by football leagues across the whole of European Football.
The Football League was recognised for its ‘Family Excellence Award’ which was first launched in 2005/06.
The Award seeks to improve the matchday experience for families and young fans through assessment, benchmarking, sharing of best practice and training.
Families of ‘mystery shoppers’ are sent to matches at all 72 League clubs to assess the matchday experience, with clubs that provide an outstanding experience earning the Family Excellence Award.
Last season, 47 clubs were presented with the Award with 8 clubs securing it for the sixth consecutive season and 4 clubs earning it for the first time.
In collecting the award on behalf of The Football League and its clubs, Chief Executive, Shaun Harvey, said: “This is a fantastic achievement by Football League clubs given that we were in competition with top flight leagues from the whole of Europe.
“It is fitting reward for the commitment our clubs have made to getting the next generation of football supporters into their grounds.”
Andrea Brown, The Football League’s Customer Services Manager, who oversees the Award added: “Every season the Family Excellence Award helps clubs raise the bar in terms of the matchday experience for families.
“Family pricing initiatives, better matchday entertainment and efforts to rid family areas of foul language and abusive behaviour are just some of the areas where significant progress has been made.
“This has led to more and more families viewing football as a good environment in which to spend time together.”