Over one million junior supporters enjoyed a live matchday experience at an EFL game in the Sky Bet Championship, League One or League Two in 2023/24.
This remarkable figure, which has been reached for the third season in succession, is testament to the success of the EFL’s Family Excellence Scheme which has seen 68 Clubs receive either Gold, Silver or Bronze – a record high for the scheme this season.
The EFL’s Family Excellence Scheme assesses the family experience Clubs provide, and rewards them with Gold, Silver and Bronze status (introduced for the first time in 2023/24) for the quality of their match experience across a range of touchpoints including ticket purchase, matchday entertainment, accessibility, facilities and communications.
Of the 68 achieving Family Excellence status, 13 were recognised as ‘Gold Award’ winners for the exceptional family experience they provide for supporters on matchdays. 28 Clubs received Silver, while 27 received Bronze.
Family Excellence Club of the Season
Plymouth Argyle were awarded the inaugural Family Excellence Club of the Season, based on their two visit reports, and in recognition of the Club providing an outstanding experience for families and first-time fans.
The Pilgrims were outstanding across all touchpoints of the Scheme and were celebrated for the quality of their pre-match communication to supporters, their family entertainment and the service of their fan representatives on matchday, which all contributed to ensuring families enjoyed a positive matchday experience.
EFL Chief Executive, Trevor Birch said:
“Plymouth Argyle are a brilliant example of a family-friendly Club and worthy winners of the Family Excellence Club of the Season. From their Fan Zone at Home Park to their fantastic mascot Pilgrim Pete, they are a Club that goes all out to create a positive experience for supporters that keeps them coming back.
“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.”
Clubs awarded Gold for 2023/24 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
Remaining Award winners for season 2023/24:
- Silver: AFC Wimbledon; Blackpool; Bolton Wanderers; Bristol City; Bristol Rovers; Burton Albion; Cambridge United; Carlisle United; Charlton Athletic; Forest Green Rovers; Harrogate Town; Hull City; Leicester City; Leyton Orient; Millwall; Morecambe; Northampton Town; Norwich City; Peterborough United; Port Vale; Preston North End; Reading; Rotherham United; Southampton; Stockport County; Swansea City; Wigan Athletic; Wycombe Wanderers.
- Bronze: Barnsley; Barrow; Birmingham City; Bradford City; Cardiff City; Cheltenham Town; Colchester United; Coventry City; Crawley Town; Crewe Alexandra; Gillingham; Grimsby Town; Leeds United; Mansfield Town; Milton Keynes Dons; Newport County; Notts County; Oxford United; Portsmouth; Salford City; Sheffield Wednesday; Shrewsbury Town; Stevenage; Sutton United; Swindon Town; Watford; West Bromwich Albion.
- The EFL Family Excellence Scheme was introduced in 2007/08.
- The Gold, Silver and Bronze system was introduced for the first time in 2023/24 and was developed to further incentivise improvement at Clubs and enable the EFL to increase feedback and support on where Clubs can improve the family experience they provide.
- Clubs are visited twice throughout the season by independent family assessors and then awarded their rating.
