The EFL is joining with its member clubs across the country, in reinforcing a league-wide commitment to saying no to bad language and aggressive behaviour in family areas on matchdays, making the matchday experience more enjoyable for everyone.
The 'Enjoy the Match' campaign is an initiative that for many seasons has helped clubs to promote a zero-tolerance policy on anti-social behaviour in family areas, and can be seen across all EFL League stadia. Alongside the EFL Family Excellence Awards Scheme, it plays a crucial role in helping clubs to attract families and young supporters to EFL matches.
Junior and family attendances across the EFL have risen significantly over recent seasons, a ringing endorsement of clubs’ extensive work to reach out, attract and engage with families. Feedback from recent EFL supporter surveys has shown that 100% of respondents who attend matches with children agree that the attitude and awareness of both supporters and club staff in helping to create a family experience was important to their matchday.
In addition, over half of them said that activities and entertainment for children was central to their matchday too, stating the importance of a club's approach to ensuring their family areas are appropriately stewarded and families are looked after and engaged with.
Central to the Enjoy the Match campaign is a ‘Code of Conduct’, which asks all supporters to encourage players, respect the match officials and help to create a great atmosphere within each stadium. Supporters are also encouraged to report any anti-social behaviour they witness and ask for any assistance from club stewards or other matchday staff.
EFL Chief Executive Shaun Harvey, speaking via EFL.com, said, “So many of our clubs are now displaying innovative and engaging ways in which they are interacting with families and junior fans. There has never been a better time to visit your local EFL club on a matchday, and enjoy the sorts of entertainment clubs are now providing to ensure the experience stretches well beyond the 90 minutes on the pitch.
“We want our supporters to have the best possible experience on a matchday and leave smiling. It is important that our supporters feel able to report any instances of anti-social behaviour that they witness on matchdays.
“The new club-branded Enjoy the Match campaign materials are another vital cog in the wheel to ensure that the hard work being undertaken by clubs in providing such experiences, are not undermined by unwanted anti-social behaviour in family areas. Clubs are vigilant in this area and need fans’ support to ensure everyone attending can ‘Enjoy the Match’.”