Bolton Wanderers are proud to have been awarded Family Excellence Status by the EFL for the 2021/22 season.
The award recognises continuous improvement and best practice in family engagement across the leagues and supports clubs’ efforts to attract and retain young fans of the future.
Given the challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic, work by clubs to ensure supporters were welcomed back safely to stadia, while also boosting the match-day experience, has been recognised across the scheme this season.
EFL clubs received two ‘mystery family’ visits throughout the season, with their feedback and reports determining whether clubs would achieve ‘Family Excellence’ status.
Wanderers’ Chief Executive Officer, Neil Hart, said: “We’re delighted to be among the clubs to have been recognised with Family Excellence Status by the EFL.
“Encouraging families and young fans to come and support the team and be part of the wider Wanderers’ family is very important to us and a key part of our plans for the future.
“That is reflected in the reduced season-ticket prices for next season for young fans, which went on sale at £35 and can still be bought for just £59.
“We intend to repeat Family Days for at least two specific fixtures next season with reduced admission prices following the success of the two we staged in 2021/22.
“And we are also planning further activities to make young fans feel even more part of their club.”
Now in its 14th year, the Family Excellence Scheme is an ongoing consultation programme, which aims to drive continuous improvement and best practice in family engagement across the leagues with a record number of 65 EFL Clubs in achieving the accolade for 2021/22.
EFL Chief Executive, Trevor Birch, said: “I would like to congratulate the record number of clubs that have achieved Family Excellence status this season.
“Ensuring a memorable match-day experience is vital to attract the next generation of young fans so it’s great to see so many clubs excelling in this area.
“Fans returning to EFL clubs in their millions this season has been fantastic to see and club staff should be commended for going the extra mile to make the match-days engaging for families attending live games.”