Stoke City has been named the EFL Family Excellence Club of the Season for 2024/25 with its matchday experience described as ‘outstanding’.
The club ranked first from 72 in the scheme and will be presented with a trophy at an EFL event at St Andrew’s, in Birmingham.
For the fourth successive season, City received a Gold Award for their matchday offerings for families, and are one of only five clubs to consistently achieve the accolade during this time.
However, following visits from independent expert assessors to the club’s home matches during the 24/25 season, the club received the highest ranking of any EFL club this term.
Chief Operating Officer Simon King said: “To be named as the EFL Family Excellence Club of the Season is proud recognition for the dedication of our staff and the significant investment from our Chair, John Coates, to making the matchday experience at Stoke City best in class.
“To achieve year-on-year improvement in our reports, in which our people are consistently championed for their commitment to making matchdays enjoyable for all, highlights a culture in which we are ready to go above and beyond for families attending Stoke City matches.”
The report, which named the Potters as best in class across all three divisions, reads: “Stoke City is a wonderful family club with an outstanding matchday experience.
“I am not exaggerating when I say that our experience was one of the best we have experienced in years of going to football matches as a family.
“There wasn’t a single staff member that we spoke to who wasn’t happy to engage or speak with us.
“I was convinced after the visit that Stoke is a special club with community and families at the core of everything they do.”
Other areas of matchday operation highlighted for praise include:
- The welcoming, friendly and proactive nature of knowledgeable club staff.
- Pre-match communication of the activities and facilities available at the bet365 Stadium.
- A personal first-time fan experience described as ‘above and beyond’.
- A plethora of kids’ activities in the club’s well-decorated family areas.
- Pottermus and Pottermiss, the club’s mascots, who engage with junior supporters throughout the matchday.
- A wide range of hot food and drink options around the stadium.
- The variety of items available to junior supporters in the Club Store, including personalised souvenirs.
- Post-match club surveys and phone calls.
EFL Chief Executive, Trevor Birch, added: “Stoke City has demonstrated that they are worthy winners of the Family Excellence Club of the Season.
“From delighting first-time fans with dugout and pitch side photos, welcome letters and gifts, through to offering action-packed family zone activities and memorable staff interactions, Stoke City’s fantastic family experience has made a positive and lasting impact on both old and new supporters of the Club.”
