NEWPORT COUNTY AFC

Whilst County weren't able to achieve the Gold Award given only to the Top Ten Clubs, there was a suprise in store for the Club when they recieved one of 6 EFL Mini Awards presented at a Fan Engagement Meeting Yesterday.

Newport County AFC were voted as having the best Staff Engagement of all the 72 EFL Clubs meaning supporters won't get a friendlier welcome anywhere in the EFL than at Rodney Parade.  From the Volunteers, Staff, Stewards, Mascots, PA Announcer, First Team Staff and Players, even other fans, Newport County AFC stood out as having people who wanted to chat, help, and assist one another.

🏆 | Newport County AFC have won the @EFL Mini Award for Staff Engagement! Our Matchday staff, volunteers, and stewards have set the tone as the most welcoming and engaging in the EFL! 👏👏 #OneClubOneCounty pic.twitter.com/FMXI1p90Ij

— Newport County AFC (@NewportCounty) April 26, 2018

This is the first time the Club has won an award of this kind and demonstrates the Club's progress on and off the field over the past 18 months.

Amongst the 56 Clubs, three have achieved the Family Excellence accolade for the first time – Forest Green Rovers, Grimsby Town and Sunderland – whilst the ‘Gold Award’ given to 10 Clubs highlights an elite number of Clubs that offer an exceptional family match day experience.

Both the Family Excellence and Mini EFL Awards are judged upon two ‘mystery family’ visits which are conducted throughout the season.  With their feedback and reports, it is determined whether each respective Club would achieve ‘Family Excellence’ status. 

The Family Excellence Award recognises continuous improvement and best practice in family engagement across the leagues and supports Clubs’ efforts to attract and retain young fans of the future.

The year-on-year progress of EFL Clubs was highlighted at the EFL Awards earlier this month, as Blackburn Rovers was named the EFL Family Club of the Year for their innovative approach to attracting and retaining family attendance on a match day.

Sky Bet Championship and League Two Family Clubs of the Year, Reading and Luton Town, also introduced exciting concepts, with the #Madejski500 campaign aiming to increase attendance and reward loyal supporters, to the Hatters’ personal commitment of every member of their senior team taking personal responsibility for difference aspects of family experience.

EFL Chief Executive, Shaun Harvey, said:

“It is hugely encouraging to see the continuous development and improvement made by EFL Clubs in offering engaging match day experiences for families. For over a decade the EFL’s Family Excellence Scheme has helped to produce positive and impactful change across the leagues, helping to drive a real focus on match day entertainment, facilities and the overall experience on offer for families, and ultimately to assist in growing attendances.

“Its impact continues to be notable with several Clubs gaining strong industry-wide reputations for offering true family value and a consistently high level of service and innovation.

“The EFL will continue to work with Clubs to help drive change and support the continued effort to attract and retain future generations of supporters. Congratulations to the Clubs that have achieved Family Excellence status and to those that have been awarded Gold status in its inaugural year.”