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Exeter City get gold status in EFL’s Family Excellence Scheme
Exeter City have been named among 12 clubs that have been given gold status in the EFL’s Family Excellence Scheme for the 2022/23 season. Rivals Plymouth Argyle were ranked first in League One, and second in the EFL overall, but the Grecians were second in League One and third overall.
A record number of 66 EFL clubs have achieved Family Excellence status, with the scheme recognising continuous improvement and best practice in family engagement across the leagues, and clubs’ efforts to attract and retain young fans of the future. However, only 12 clubs have been rated ‘Gold’, being recognised for their exemplary work in engaging families on match days.
The Family Excellence Scheme sees clubs receive two visit assessments each season, in order to determine the quality of the family match-day experiences they provide. The scheme recognises the continuous improvement and best practice that emerges across the EFL and rewards clubs for their efforts in attracting and retaining young supporters.
Read More – Relegation, arrests and supporter ownership: How Exeter City fought back from the brink
Nick Hawker, chair of Exeter City Supporters’ Trust, said: “We are delighted to achieve this incredible accolade, which really is a comprehensive review of the way we relate to, and look after, all supporters.
“There are so many people who work very hard to ensure all visitors to our club have a positive experience, many of whom are volunteers. Thank you to them all for their continued dedication, which is why we continue to be awarded the family excellence status from the EFL.
“As a supporter-owned club, we aspire to be the very best we can, and it is clear that this ethos runs through the club, from the ambassadors who welcome supporters to the stadium, through to the activities which are provided for young people.”
The Gold Award winners are: Blackburn Rovers, Doncaster Rovers, Exeter City, Huddersfield Town, Hull City, Ipswich Town, Lincoln City, Middlesbrough, Plymouth Argyle, Queens Park Rangers, Rotherham United, Stoke City.
EFL chief executive Trevor Birch said: “Our clubs deserve an enormous amount of praise for the outstanding work they have done in making sure the matchday experience is a welcoming one for all families, which has helped boost attendances across all our competitions.
“From improved engagement with supporters before and after games, to innovative approaches around the matchday itself, such as creating dedicated fanzones and improving catering options, clubs are pulling out all the stops to enhance their offering and attract the next generation of young fans.
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