Following on from last weekend’s EFL Awards ceremony, the Football League have now announced the divisional winners of the first ever Away Fan Experience Campaign.
The Campaign was designed to uncover positive away day experiences from travelling fans and supporters across the 72 member clubs have been sharing those experiences from their trips to away grounds.
Having collated those experiences, Brighton take the award for the Championship level, Sheffield United for League One and Crewe Alexandra for League Two.
For Brighton, the away concourse at the Amex Stadium is decorated in the visiting team’s colours and staff in the areas wear the club’s shirt with kiosks branded in the club’s crest as well.
Tom Gorringe, Head of Marketing at Brighton told the efl.com.
‘We aim to ensure that anyone attending the stadium has a good time no matter where they are sitting in the stadium. We attempt to make the away area feel like a home away from home branding it in the away teams` colours and added extras put in place that suit the needs of visiting supporters. Specifically in the away end we have a regular team of staff that are great at engaging with the visiting fans, and at the start of the season, we reached out to all club Supporter Liaison Officers asking for details on delicacies that we could serve or any other details that they could offer to help make the away experience as bespoke as possible for travelling supporters.’
Sheffield United were praised for the friendliness of club staff and stewards at Bramall Lane and the club provide their opposition with a detailed Visitor Guide prior to the game.
Crewe were noted for their consistency in approach in treating both home and away fans with respect and providing a welcoming experience, including fans being met at the coaches with information and to help with enquiries from visitors.
The Campaign has been supported by the Football Supporters’ Federation.
