Football: Bristol City win award for family experience (From Gazette Series)

Bristol City win The Football League Family Excellence Award

12:00pm Friday 12th February 2010 in Sport

BRISTOL CITY is one of just 37 clubs to have been awarded 'The Football League Family Excellence Award' for 2010.

The award is based on an independent assessment of the family experience at all 72 League clubs, commissioned by The Football League during the 2009/10 season using 'mystery shopper' families.

The club actively participates in the League's Enjoy The Match campaign, and this season reduced its matchday prices for under-16s.

It also continued to offer free under-seven season tickets and free admission to under-16s as part of its family season ticket.

In addition, a number of matchday activities such as face-painting, chairman Steve Lansdown presenting a signed cap to a young supporter attending his or her first match, flagbearers to welcome the payers onto the pitch, a tour of the ground by `Scrumpy the Robin’, and the special features in the award winning programme 'Well Red' all caught the eye of the judges.

Group managing director Doug Harman says: "The club have worked hard to make Ashton Gate a welcoming place for young supporters and their families "I'm very proud of how our staff have worked so hard to reach the meet the exacting standards laid down by the Football League in this area.

"We are genuinely delighted as we see families and their young children as our fans of the future."

Football League Chairman, Lord Mawhinney, says: "The 'Football League Family Excellence Award' provides a benchmark for clubs to work towards and ensures that they are doing all they can to attract and retain family groups as supporters. League clubs are working hard to make the family experience the best it can be."

The award comes after the club’s community team was honoured with a Silver Award for its work with local schoolchildren across the region.